The Arizona Cardinals are ranked No. 22 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here's everything you need to know about the Cardinals heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart
The big question: How will DeAndre Hopkins fit in?
He's one of the best players in all of football, not just among wide receivers, so adding him to the offense will instantly make the Cardinals better. But does Hopkins become the No. 1 right off the bat? Is he the go-to receiver on third down or in the red zone? Does he defer to Larry Fitzgerald? These are all questions that will be answered starting Week 1. Hopkins, alone, makes the Cardinals' offense immediately more dangerous. He'll draw plenty of defensive attention which will open up the field for the rest of Arizona's playmakers.-- Josh Weinfuss
How the pandemic has most affected the Cardinals
The Cardinals lost right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who opted out of the 2020 season before training camp. Gilbert, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury, was expected to be the starting right guard when camp kicked off if he was healthy, coach Kliff Kingsbury said. But without Gilbert, the Cardinals will get an opportunity to see more out of third-round pick Josh Jones. -- Weinfuss
Football Power Index projections for the Cardinals
Overall ranking: 22
Offensive ranking: 17
Defensive ranking: 22
Special teams ranking: 13
Total wins: 7.4
NFC West title chances: 7.3%
Chances to make playoffs: 26.45
Super Bowl chances: 0.4%
2021 draft pick: No. 10
Inside the Cardinals' schedule
FPI's strength of schedule rank: 13
Toughest stretch: Weeks 11-14, which include games at Seattle, at New England, home against the Rams and at the New York Giants. The amount of traveling, including two cross-country trips, may push Arizona to the tipping point of exhaustion. On top of that, three of those four games -- the ones against NFC foes -- could help decide the Cardinals' divisional and playoff standing.
Over or under 7.4 wins? Over. I think the Cardinals' offense will hit the ground running while the revamped defense will be a force by midseason, once the unit figures out how to play together. There's enough talent on defense to get through the first eight games while the offense puts up lots of points and wears down defenses en route to a playoff spot. My prediction remains at 9-7. -- Weinfuss
Bold prediction for 2020: Kyler Murray will win MVP
Coming off a season in which he was named Rookie of the Year, Murray will continue to shine in his second season, especially with the addition of a receiver like Hopkins. Murray will show off an improved understanding of the NFL game, specifically in how he handles running the ball vs. getting rid of it. With a stable running game led by Kenyan Drake and a trio of receivers including Hopkins, Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, Murray will be able to showcase his skills and throw for 5,000 yards while leading Arizona to the playoffs.-- Weinfuss
Breakout fantasy star: Kyler Murray, QB
Murray was already QB8 in fantasy as a rookie, but the 2019 first-overall pick is positioned to make a huge leap in 2020. Murray and Kingsbury are both entering their second NFL seasons and will now have one of the league's best wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins at their disposal. Murray raises his appeal with top-end rushing production (93-544-4 rushing line as a rookie) and is a good bet to improve his passing efficiency this season. -- Mike Clay
ADP for the Cardinals' top players:
DeAndre Hopkins: 15.5
Kenyan Drake: 17.6
Kyler Murray: 54.4
Christian Kirk: 120.6
Larry Fitzgerald: 159.1
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 60-1 (opened 50-1)
Over/under: 7.5
Playoff odds: Yes +205, No -245
The Cardinals went 5-10-1 in 2019, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season. On the bright side, their preseason Super Bowl-winning odds are much better than last year (300-1) and two years ago (100-1). -- ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill.
Where the Cardinals landed in NFL Rank
No. 8: DeAndre Hopkins
No. 25: Chandler Jones
No. 47: Kyler Murray
No. 70: Patrick Peterson