Can the Arizona Cardinals still qualify for the playoffs in the 2022 NFL season?

The Arizona Cardinals' season has not gone to plan and fans of the NFC West powerhouse might not be in the best of spirits this Thanksgiving. As of Week 11 of the 2022 NFL season, the Cardinals hold a 4-7 record. This puts them in third place in the NFC West, over two games below the second-ranked Seattle Seahawks.

In Week 11, Arizona were trumped 38-10 in Mexico by the rampaging San Francisco 49ers. So that begs the question, can the Arizona Cardinals still qualify for the 2022 NFL playoffs? Yes, they can, but their chances are rather slim, to say the least.

The Arizona Cardinals need a miracle to qualify for the 2022 NFL playoffs

The Arizona Cardinals mathematically have a shot at the playoffs, but the margin for error is non-existent. Last season, five teams finished with nine wins, and only two of them made the postseason. To be assured of qualification, the Cardinals need to win all six of their remaining games and finish 10-7.

Seven teams from each conference make the playoffs. These are made up of the division winners and three Wild Card slots in each conference. These are awarded to non-division-winning teams holding the best records. The Kansas City Chiefs are currently the top seed in the AFC, while the Philadelphia Eagles are first in the NFC.

In regards to the NFC, the teams currently in the playoff spots are as follows:

1. 9-1 Philadelphia Eagles, NFC East
2. 8-2 Minnesota Vikings, NFC North
3. 6-4 San Francisco 49ers, NFC West
4. 5-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFC South
5. 7-3 Dallas Cowboys, NFC East
6. 7-3 New York Giants, NFC East
7. 6-4 Seattle Seahawks, NFC West

The real question is whether the Cardinals can go on a hot-streak and win their remaining matchups.

The Arizona Cardinals' remaining 2022 regular season fixtures

The Arizona Cardinals have a tricky upcoming schedule to close out the season. Here are their remaining fixtures:

1. 5-5 Los Angeles Chargers (home)
2. 6-4 New England Patriots (home)
3. 3-7 Denver Broncos (away)
4. 5-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (home)
5. 4-7 Atlanta Falcons (away)
6. 6-4 San Francisco 49ers (away)

Every fixture is now a must-win match and it seems unrealistic that any franchise could win all six of these games. However, it's not impossible and if Arizona take it one week at a time, they could still make the playoffs.

How the Arizona Cardinals can improve their game to have a chance of making the playoffs

The Cardinals have a roster constructed to win this season. They have one of the highest-paid players in the league at quarterback in Kyler Murray and one of the best receiver rooms in the NFL. DeAndre Hopkins will have to see a lot of the ball, as will Marquise Brown, who is making an early return from injury.

With Murray having missed the last two games, it seems likely he will be ready for Week 12. He will have to utilize his legs, much like he did in seasons past, in order to keep the Arizona offense on the field and create headaches for defenders. They must also get James Conner and the rushing game going immediately, creating holes and using him more in the passing game also.

The Cardinals have to improve in the trenches on offense. Kyler Murray has been sacked too many times for comfort and if they are to get the running game going, they have to start winning the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Arizona have an impressive five defensive touchdowns, but are looking sloppy against tight ends and against the passing game. They need to work out a way to improve in these categories in order to have a chance of winning out.

The Cardinals wowed the entire NFL last season with an exciting, unpredictable, and fresh style of play. However, the rest of the league has caught up, and the coaching staff will have their work cut out for them if they are to save their season.