GLENDALE – Sunday’s home finale was a rough one for the Arizona Cardinals. There was a blown lead, multiple major injuries to key starters and the 26-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons to make it seven straight home losses to end the year. However, all of those factors become more bearable next to the projected top picks for the 2026 draft, which has Arizona as a top five pick.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon addresses the media during a news conference at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 24, 2024.
Cardinals jump to top 5 in 2026 NFL draft:
There are currently four teams tied at 3-12: Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Cardinals. The problem for Arizona is that the tiebreaker is strength of schedule, which is far higher than New York and Cleveland. The Cardinals are at .575, with the Jets and Browns at .539 and .490 respectively. Tennessee’s win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16 tied their record with Arizona.
The Titans had a .001 advantage in the strength of schedule, until the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. Tennessee played New England in Week 7, thus increasing their SOS. The increase made the Titans tied with the Cardinals in SOS, thus giving Arizona the tiebreak because of head-to-head.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks about Walter Nolen with head coach Jonathan Gannon during a news conference inside the Arizona Cardinals training facility on April 24, 2025, in Tempe. Syndication: Arizona Republic
In the final two weeks, the two teams play a team 5-10 in Week 17 and a team 11-4 in Week 18. Regardless, their SOS will still drastically change because of the opponents they played earlier in the season. The NFC West being one of the best divisions in football might hurt the franchise, as their division rivals record might improve in the final two weeks that would increase their SOS and losing the tiebreaker.
For now, Arizona has the fifth pick and is in prime position to draft their next franchise quarterback in the draft and began to reset.
Jonathan Gannon on Cardinals injuries and failed comeback vs. Falcons in Week 16
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
