2013 Arizona Cardinals Schedule Breakdown: Weeks 9-13
By Scott Allen
Sept. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) and outside linebacker Sam Acho (94) sack Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) in the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 27 – 6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals start this stretch of games off with the bye week. After a 4-4 start, it will be much needed at this point. The Cards will have the bye week in week 9 before two home games and two road games in the next four contests. The first three games in this stretch are all against the AFC.
Week 9 – BYE
Week 10 – Houston Texans
The Texans make only their second-ever appearance in Arizona. They lost on their last visit, 28-21, in 2009. Both teams were completely different teams back then though. Houston was about to become the powerhouse they are now. Arizona was coming off their only Super Bowl appearance and the way to their second consecutive playoff appearance. On the surface, the Texans appear to have lost some pieces but make no mistake. This is still a formidable team. I think the Cards will keep it close being in Arizona and I’ll even predict an OT tilt here. I give the Texans the edge though. Texans 26 Cardinals 23 (OT)
Week 11 – @Jacksonville Jaguars
Here is one team I can say the Cards are better than with near certainty. I believe I’ll still be able to say that after the draft as well. The only thing with this game is that it is in Jacksonville. The Cards are not a very good road team. I do see them struggling a bit here but I think they do enough to pull themselves to .500 once again. Cardinals 20 Jaguars 17
Week 12 – Indianapolis Colts
Here it is. Bruce Arians gets to face the team he led to the playoff last season and won the Coach of the Year with while he subbed for Colts head coach Chuck Pagano during his illness last season. Arians helped lead the Colts to a 11-5 record in 2012. Quite an improvement over the 2-14 from 2011. The job he did in Indy helped land him the job here in Arizona. This will be an emotional game for both sides I’m sure. Will it be a distraction? It might be in the first part of the week leading into the contest but I don’t think it will affect either team once they reach the playing field on Sunday. It’s a home game, so I’ll take the Cardinals here, although Andrew Luck might throw for 400. Wouldn’t be the first time a visiting quarterback threw for 400 and lost to the Cards. Cardinals 31 Colts 28
Week 13 – @Philadelphia Eagles
Since the 2008 whopping the Eagles put on the Cards on Thanksgiving night in Philadelphia, this series has belonged to the Cards. Last years games was dominated by defense in Arizona, en route to a 27-6 victory. There will be a lot of new players and coaches on the field on both sides. There is one familiar face. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, although by week 13, it is very plausible he has either lost his job or has been injured. If Vick plays, I give the Cards the edge. For now I will go Cards. Cardinals 24 Eagles 23
The Cards go 3-1 in this stretch. That brings them to an overall record of 7-5 headed into the final four weeks of the season. Those are going to be four very tough weeks though. Enjoy these victories the Cards had during the third quarter.