Bruce Arians got a text after the Cardinals beat the Vikings to clinch a playoff spot.
“Hey, you punched your ticket,” it read.
Truth, but Arians didn’t hesitate in his response. “We’re trying to upgrade to first class,” he sent back.
The Cardinals have tied the franchise record for wins in a season with 11 and have won seven straight. But with three games remaining,
there is much more to gain, and – after an uneven performance against Minnesota – things to fix if that regular-season success is going to translate in the postseason.
That starts with both an NFC West title and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.