Cardinals Nearing Infamous Four Words Fans Dread

The Arizona Cardinals are facing a critical juncture in Week 13 of the NFL season. The phrase “eliminated from playoff contention” may soon haunt their 2025 campaign. If events unfold as feared, the Cardinals could become one of the first teams marked with this dreaded “e” beside their name in the standings.

Potential Early Elimination

Currently, only the New York Giants can claim this unwanted status, holding the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with a record of 2-10. If Arizona fails to secure a victory this week, they will experience their earliest postseason elimination since 1986, when the team was still based in St. Louis.

Factors Leading to Elimination

For the Cardinals to officially be cut from playoff contention, three specific outcomes must occur:

• The Cardinals need to lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• The Green Bay Packers must defeat their opponent.
• The Chicago Bears should either win or tie in their matchup.

The Cardinals are currently underdogs by 2.5 points in their matchup against Tampa Bay, where the outcome heavily relies on the availability of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. After missing practice due to a shoulder injury, his participation remains uncertain. If backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater takes the lead, the odds may shift further in favor of the Buccaneers.

Other Key Matchups

The implications of the Cardinals’ fate extend beyond their game. Here’s a look at the scenarios that affect their playoff hopes:

• The Green Bay Packers are facing off against the Detroit Lions as 2.5-point underdogs.
• The Chicago Bears will play against the Philadelphia Eagles, where they are seven-point underdogs.

Both the Packers and Bears will complete their games ahead of the Cardinals, providing immediate context to Arizona’s playoff standing by the time they take the field.

Other Teams at Risk

The Cardinals are not alone in their precarious situation. Five other teams are also on the verge of playoff elimination this week:

• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders
• New York Jets
• New Orleans Saints
• Washington Commanders

As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if those four nightmarish words become a reality for the Cardinals and other teams hoping to maintain their playoff hopes.