How Good ARE The Arizona Cardinals?

After crushing the St. Louis Rams, 34-10, the Arizona Cardinals clinched their first NFC West title since...ever, and their first division title since 1975, when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals currently sit at 8-5. If the Cardinals played in the NFC North, AFC East, or AFC West, they would be tied for first with the 8-5 Minnesota Vikings and the 8-5 New England Patriots/Miami Dolphins/New York Jets, and the 8-5 Denver Broncos. But if they played in the other three divisions, they would have no chance of winning the division behind the NFC East New York Giants (11-2), AFC South Tennessee Titans (12-1), AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) and NFC South Carolina Panthers (10-3). They wouldn't even be in second or third place in some of these divisions. They would be behind the Baltimore Ravens (9-4), Indianapolis Colts (9-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4), and would be tied with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons (both 8-5). This raises a puzzling question. ... (link)