The Arizona Cardinals had a 3-14 record in the 2025-26 NFL season, tying for the worst in the league. For the upcoming 2026-27 season, they are projected to face the toughest schedule in the NFL.
The Arizona Cardinals went 3-14 in the 2025-26 NFL season, compiling the worst record in the NFC and tying for the worst record in the NFL.
Could they have an even rougher time in the 2026-27 NFL season?
We don't know the team's NFL schedule for the upcoming season (that will be released on Thursday, May 14), but we do know the Cardinals' opponents.
And Arizona will have a very difficult slate of games in 2026-27.
In fact, according to NFL betting odds, the Cardinals will have the most difficult schedule in the NFL.
More: NFL schedule release 2026 tracker, leaks, rumors, live updates, games
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
The Arizona Cardinals finished the 2025-26 NFL season with a record of 3-14.
The Cardinals are projected to have the most difficult schedule in the NFL based on betting odds.
The NFL schedule for the 2026-27 season will be released on Thursday, May 14.
The specific opponents for the Cardinals in the 2026-27 season have been identified, but the complete schedule will be released later.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) huddles with his teammates during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael J. Bidwill during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jayden Williams speaks with the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (94) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (30) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jameson Geers (46) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (57) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) huddles with his teammates during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael J. Bidwill during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jayden Williams speaks with the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (94) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (30) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals tight end Jameson Geers (46) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (57) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.
Sharp Football Analysis determined the strength-of-schedule rankings for every NFL team in 2026-27 based on NFL win-total odds, and the Cardinals had the toughest schedule in the NFL (playing in the same division as the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is no easy feat).
The Miami Dolphins were next, with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams rounding out the Top 5 NFL teams with the most difficult schedules in the upcoming season.
The analysis had the Detroit Lions' schedule ranked as the NFL's easiest, followed by the New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
BetMGM took the analysis a step further, posting the projected win totals of NFL teams based on BetMGM Sportsbook's odds.
The Cardinals' schedule was ranked the hardest, with its opponents projected to win 156.5 games this season.
The Detroit Lions' opponents are projected to win an NFL-low 135.5 games, putting Arizona's schedule at a projected 21 games more difficult than Detroit's.
Not an easy schedule for a last-place team.
Games are not played on paper. But the projections are not kind regarding the Cardinals' schedule in the upcoming season.
Carson Beck and the Arizona Cardinals have the NFL's most difficult schedule in 2026-27 season.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals have NFL's toughest schedule in 2026, ranking says