Instant predictions for Cardinals’ 2026 slate

Q: What is the Arizona Cardinals' predicted record for the 2026 season?

The Arizona Cardinals are predicted to finish the 2026 season with a record of 4-13.

Q: Who will be the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in 2026?

Carson Beck is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals during the 2026 season.

Q: What teams are the Arizona Cardinals expected to beat in 2026?

The Arizona Cardinals are predicted to win against the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 season.

Q: When do the Arizona Cardinals have their bye week in 2026?

The Arizona Cardinals have their bye week in 2026 on December 13.

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MAY 08: Carson Beck #19 of the Arizona Cardinals hands off the ball to Jeremiyah Love #4 during a team rookie mincamp at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on May 08, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images Now we know. The Arizona Cardinals are going to have a lot of work to do early in the season, and then get a somewhat manageable end of the season schedule. The question becomes, who will be playing quarterback at the end? For now, let’s take a look at a game-by-game prediction for the Arizona Cardinals 2026 season. Week 1 – @ Los Angeles Chargers, Sep 13 – **Loss** The team opens the season on the road against a defense that finished top ten in scoring and top five in yard against. They had problems moving the ball in 2025, but the Cardinals had problems stopping anyone. The line has been seen as large as +10.5 for the Cardinals. Week 2 – v Seattle Seahawks, Sep 20 – **Loss** It would be a bit disappointing to start the season 0-2, but this game just doesn’t look like one that is winnable on paper. The Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions… the Cardinals are the Cardinals. Week 3 – @ San Francisco 49ers – **Loss** If the Cardinals had been even a bit competitive against the 49ers last year with Jacoby Brissett, maybe you can see something here, but they were blown out so fast that we applauded a passing performance that saw Brissett throw the ball 57 times and score 22 points. Week 4 – @ , Oct 4 – **Win** I have seen people predict the Cardinals to only win one game. That is hard in the NFL. I have seen people predict the Cardinals to go winless, that is nearly unheard of. So, I think the Cardinals will win one earlier than most people think, although with Harbaugh in charge, I could be wrong. Week 5 – v , Oct 11 – **Loss** The Lions are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025, and the Cardinals early is a nice gift towards that. Week 6 – @ , Oct 18 – **Loss** Spoiler alert, I don’t think the Cardinals win a division game once again, but if they do, I don’t think it’ll be a road game against the Rams. Week 7 – v , Oct 25 – **Win** Call me a cynic, but I don’t buy the Broncos. I think they have a fall back to earth. Week 8 – @ , Nov 1 – **Loss** I know, I know. The Cardinals recently always beat the Cowboys. Week 9 – @ Seattle, Nov 8 – **Loss** Again, not expecting a divisional win, but especially in Seattle. Week 10 – v Los Angeles Rams, Nov 15 – **Loss** The Rams should be rounding into form here, the Cardinals could be rounding into finding out what they have in Carson Beck. Week 11 – @ , Nov 22 – **Loss** Until and Andy Reid are gone, I wouldn’t predict this road game as a win no matter what I think of the Cardinals. Week 12 – v , Nov 29 – **Loss** This was the hardest one for me. I really want to mark this as a win, but I have a vision. Week 13 – v , Dec 6 – **Loss** get a late bye, are ready for it, and are ready to see what they have in Carson beck after a 2-11 season with Brissett… Which I guess is double the win total of Brissett last year, so not terrible. Week 14 – Bye Week, Dec 13 The Cardinals sit at 2-11 on the season and probably should have gone to Beck earlier, but where in the schedule? After the bye week, three winnable games and then who knows what the Niners look like in week 18. Week 15 – v , Dec 20 – **Win** The Carson beck era kicks off with a win, and the Cardinals are a little excited and exciting to watch. Week 16 – @ , Dec 27 – **Loss** Another one I really want to mark as a win, but hard for a rookie to win on the road against a team I believe could be playing for something still in . Week 17 – v , Jan 3 – **Win** A rematch of the Natty, the Cardinals and Beck get the win and fall out of the top three picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Week 18 – v , TBD – **Loss** Week 18 games are always screwy, but I will say the Niners have something to play for. 4-13 on the season for the Cardinals, with tossup losses against the Cowboys, Commanders and Saints. I guess you could say tossup wins for the first two I picked as well. This is why our friends at have the line at 4.5 wins. I see both sides of it, especially with the potential of going to Beck the final four games of the season. Ceiling – 7-10 Floor – 2-15 What do you think?