Arizona Cardinals: A closer look at 2015 opponents
By Scott Allen
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The home games: Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, New Orelans Saints
Having already discussed the NFC West matchups, let’s look at the other home games outside the division. There are some good ones coming to University of Phoenix Stadium this fall.
The Packers of course will be a huge draw. This is a very possible national television game. The Packers are coming off about as bad a playoff loss as you’ll ever see, so I imagine the drive for the Packers to get back will be great. Don’t be surprised about an early season visit on this one.
The Vikings may or may not have Adrian Peterson back. For all of our sake, I hope not. He’s fun to watch play but after knowing what he did, I’d rather the Vikings let him go. Either way, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be exciting to watch and will be worth the price of admission.
The Saints could be a lot of fun. They had a rough season but they get the Cardinals on the schedule in Glendale in 2015 thanks to their second-place finish in the NFC South. I’m just extremely happy that this game is not in New Orleans, despite the Saints playing poorly in their own building in 2014.
The AFC teams Ravens and Bengals could the the two toughest games outside of the NFC West. Both teams are playoff teams from 2014. Both are possibilities on national television.
Predicting the national television games for the Cardinals in 2015
49ers @ Cardinals – Thursday Night Football
Lions @ Cardinals – FOX NFL Sunday national game
Cardinals @ Steelers – Monday Night Football
Packers @ Cardinals – Sunday Night Football
Cardinals @ Seahawks – FOX NFL Sunday national game
Other Thursday Night Football possibilities: Seahawks, Rams
Other national television possibilities: Ravens, Eagles, Saints, Seahawks, 49ers, Bengals
I think the Cardinals get on national television at least four times in 2015. You can’t ignore an 11-5 team that won without its starting quarterback, running back, sack leader from 2013, top two linebackers, and punter.