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Arizona Cardinals: 2017 schedule brings promise

By Scott Allen

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates after a Cardinals fumble recovery during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates after a Cardinals fumble recovery during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals 2017 schedule of opponents was set with the conclusion of the 2016 regular-season

The only thing left to determine on Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals as far as the 2017 schedule was concerned were the second-place teams in the NFC South and NFC North.  With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory over the Carolina Panthers, that locked them into a visit to Glendale next season.

Also, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions outcome would determine who the Cardinals would visit next season.  The loss by the Lions means the Cardinals will go to Detroit next season.  In other words, indoors.  Thank you.

The Cardinals play the entire NFC East and AFC South along with the NFC West twice of course. Then the second-place finishers in the NFC South and NFC North.

HOME:

Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys

Clearly outside of the division, the marquee visitors are the Giants and Cowboys.  The Giants and Cowboys have not been to Arizona since 2011.

Look for possible national television games against the Seahawks, Giants, and Cowboys.  There could also be a possibility of the Bucs as well.  The best bets for a Sunday Night Football home game would be the Seahawks, Giants, or Cowboys.  Don’t rule out the Bucs for a Monday Night Football game.

Related Story: Arizona Cardinals: 5 bold predictions for 2017

AWAY:

Los Angeles Rams (in London), Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles

The national television possibilities on the road are the Seahawks, Lions, Colts, Texans, and Skins. You can almost count on one of the two games against the Seahawks on national television at some point whether it is Thursday, Sunday, or Monday.

The furthest trip is of course going to London to face the Rams.  That game will be in October.

The Cardinals only possible cold games are the Skins and Eagles.  The Lions and Colts are indoors. Yes, the Colts can play outdoors too, but if the game is later in the season, expect the roof to be closed.

The NFL schedule with dates and times will be released in mid-April.  Look for probably two national games next season.  A lot will depend on who returns for the Cardinals as well.

Overall the schedule appears to be favorable for the Cardinals in terms of making another playoff run in 2017

.  The games considered to be tougher will be at home.  The AFC South is getting better with the emergence of the Titans but overall the Cardinals could have done worse.

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