Dec 9, 2012, Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) breaks a tackle by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond (28) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Arizona, 58-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals schedule does not look as tough as it did last season. Last year’s schedule featured teams from the AFC East and NFC North including a week two game in Foxboro, Mass. against the New England Patriots, and another road game at Lambeau Field versus the Green Bay Packers.
Those two games were the hardest last year excluding the final contest with the San Francisco 49ers. The win over the Patriots was one of the few yet better wins for the Dirty Birds last season despite being one of their more difficult contests.
The 2013 schedule is looking slightly more favorable highlighting teams from the AFC South and NFC South. Their schedule will not be easy because they compete in the NFC West with two Super Bowl contenders in the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
These games will be the biggest challenges for the Cardinals this year.
3. @ St. Louis, Sunday September 8th
The Cardinals start their 2013 campaign on the road against division foe the St. Louis Rams. This will be the official regular season opener for new head coach Bruce Arians. This game is not to be overlooked. It may seem like a soft opening, but the Rams are an underrated team that held the best record in the division last year. The Rams lost only to the Seahawks (by seven points in their final game at Seattle) and never lost to the 49ers. This game could set the tone for the season and will be a preview to a new era of football in Arizona.
2. vs. Houston, Sunday November 10th
The Houston Texans are the best team the Cardinals play outside of the division. Last season the Texans were a Super Bowl contender for the AFC. The Texans may have been a post-season disappointment and seemed overrated, but they still have one of the better rushing attacks and rushing defenses in the league. If the Cards are as bad at defending the pass as they were last season, they will be in trouble when Arian Foster comes to Glendale, Ariz.
1. @ Seattle, Sunday December 22th
CenturyLink Field is arguably the toughest place to play in the league and last year the Seattle Seahawks went undefeated at home. The Cardinals managed to beat Seattle last season sparking their 4-0 start. However the Red Birds second meeting against their division rivals ended in an embarrassing 58-0 shutout. This season the Cards travel to Seattle for their second to last game, by then we will know what kind of team the Cardinals will be. If the Cardinals are contending for a playoff berth, this late December contest will be a difficult and crucial game, especially if Seattle needs a division win.