Trey McBride was poignant when talking about the final game of the 2024 season.
"This game means everything to us," the tight end said.
The comment from the Cardinals Pro Bowl star might seem like a stretch considering the Cardinals (7-9) and 49ers (6-10) are heading into the season finale without much to play for. Yet the players in the locker room believe there is a lot to prove.
Not just to those around the NFL, but to themselves.
"When you have a chance to play a team who went to the Super Bowl last year, you're always trying to win," McBride said. "This means a lot to everybody. You win your last game, and you have that momentum and that confidence going into the offseason and getting ready for training camp and all that stuff next year."
McBride was on the field for important games in 2023 that shaped the 2024 Cardinals' identity. Wins on the road in December against the Steelers and Eagles come to mind, even while the Cardinals were out of the playoff equation early on. They finished 2023 with four wins. With a win this weekend, they'll double that win total.
First impressions are everything. But lasting impressions are the ones that can stick.
"It's always good going into the offseason being able to end off on a high note," cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting said. "I think it's important because it gives you an idea and an opportunity to know that there is hope and light on the other side of the tunnel."
Coach Jonathan Gannon began the 2024 campaign fielding questions about if momentum from those aforementioned victories can help the Cardinals. Instead of momentum, he emphaisized the idea of confidence.
With a game against an NFC West opponent, the Cardinals could finish the season with a .500 division record and a series sweep over the 49ers for the first time since 2021.
"Your greatest confidence builder is winning games," Gannon said. "There's no doubt that we want to play well for our fans, play well for us, and win a game."
Defensive lineman L.J. Collier began his Cardinals tenure on the shelf after tearing his bicep in the 2023 season opener. He saw a valiant Cardinals team that never backed down, which magnified his desire to re-sign with the Cardinals in 2024.
A credit to the culture instilled, Collier sees that same potential and resilience in the current locker room.
"I feel like we get this win now and it'll kick-start us for next year and put us on the map and let people know that we can come back and finish the games that we didn't finish this year," Collier said. "There's a lot of guys in here who still care, and it still matters to them."
The final result of the Cardinals season finale against the 49ers won't erase the pain of not playing further games.
However, it can give the team that much needed boost as the offseason approaches.
"This is our last opportunity we have to give it everything we got, try to win, and beat the 49ers," McBride said.
ROOF TO BE OPEN
In no surprise, the roof at State Farm Stadium is expected to be open for the game on Sunday. The high temperature for the day is forecast to be 70 degrees.
