The Cardinals continue to focus on the task at hand with no leeway

The Arizona Cardinals’ magic number for a playoff berth is 1.

A victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night and they are in for the first time since 2015.

But this team is in a position for more than that. The Cardinals retain the No.1 seed in the NFC, a place more coveted now than at any time before 2020 in league history.

Last year, the NFL added a seventh team in the playoffs to each conference and eliminated the number of two-team exemptions in each.

If Arizona can hold its own, they would have the field advantage in the playoffs, meaning the weather elements wouldn’t play a role in their games. Plus, they would be the only team with extra rest before the division round.

The Cardinals lead the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers by half a game each after the two won their clashes on Sunday.

Cardinals players and coaches, of course, don’t worry about the standings.

Win, and everything else falls into place. It’s a philosophy players embrace when it comes to rewards, but also teams to stay focused on what’s at hand.

“I think we have a great group of guys who understand what we’re trying to do,” said quarterback Kyler Murray. “I don’t think we’re doing more than it is. Obviously a division game, but for us it’s the next one. Keeping that mentality, I don’t see us making it an ‘if you win’. understanding all the circumstances. I just think we have to go out there and perform. “

The Cardinals have the toughest opponent path to face en route to the top seed of this trio.

The Packers will face a team above 0.500 for the remainder of the season and it’s the Baltimore Ravens who stumble.

The Buccaneers beat their toughest test with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in overtime.

The Bucs again only have the Saints, Panthers, Jets and Panthers.

Tampa Bay and Green Bay can handle the table.

Arizona too, but it will be more difficult. After Monday night’s game, he will face the Lions to one victory, followed by the competitive Indianapolis Colts, then the Dallas Cowboys, leaders of NFC East, Texas.

The Cardinals’ season ends at home against the Seattle Seahawks, an under-500 team, but with quarterback Russell Wilson who can win any game.

Arizona is battle tested and has done well on the road this season.

The team is not focused on what lies ahead, just the task ahead. That’s what the whole season has been like, which has worked.

“We have done a really good job with this team focusing only on next week, and I think we will continue to do so,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters this week. “I don’t think anyone is looking forward. We talked about it as a staff. We have six days to prepare for the next one.

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