By John Sarianides

64 year old Bruce Arians knows that his team’s window to get to a Super Bowl may be closing after this season. That is why the Arizona Cardinals head coach is approaching this season with such a sense of urgency.

Aside from Arians, starting quarterback Carson Palmer is 37 and star receiver and future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald is 33. Both are in the twilight of their careers and they know that this could be their last shot at getting to or winning a Super Bowl. 

Offensively, Palmer and Fitzgerald have a great supporting cast to work with. Running back David Johnson is one of the top three players at his position. Johnson has a legit shot at amassing a thousand yards rushing and a thousand yards receiving. Only two other running backs in the history of the game have ever done that (Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk) Johnson is a great compliment to the Cardinals passing game.

A veteran offensive line with some uncertainty will protect Palmer and pave the way for Johnson. The Cardinals need to get more consistent production from this group. The offensive line play has been iffy at best during Arians tenure in Arizona. 

Defensively, Arizona has a terrific core group of players in defensive end Chandler Jones, free safety Tyrann Matthieu, linebacker  Deone Buchanan and rookie likebacker Haason Reddick but it is second year defensive end Robert Nkemdiche that must emerge and fill the big shoes of the departed Calais Campbell. 

Here are three keys for the Cardinals in 2017.

1. Palmer Must Stay Healthy: It may sound simple but if the Cardinals want to make that one last Super Bowl run, Palmer must stay healthy. The Cardinals have enough quality depth behind him to survive losing him for one or two games but if Palmer were to miss extended time, they are toast. 

2. The Defense Must Play at Championship Level: The Cardinals are talented defensively but they need to play at a championship level if they want to contend in the NFC. Arizona’s defense was too inconsistent and injury prone last season and did not play up to their ability. If this unit stays healthy, there is no reason to believe they cannot be a top ten defense this season. 

3. Compete With a Sense of Urgency: The window in Arizona is practically closed. The Cardinals have to have a sense of urgency this season. This might be Arians, Palmer and Fitzgerald’s last season in the desert. They need to make it count.

In the End: On paper, Arizona has the talent to compete for a division title and a playoff spot but if Carson Palmer can’t stay healthy and he struggles, the Cardinals will struggle to meet expectations. It is now or never for this group in Arizona. They either get to Super Bowl LII or it is time for a reboot in Arizona.