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Arizona Cardinals game by game schedule predictions, quarter 1

By Scott Allen

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates after a first down catch in overtime against the Green Bay Packers in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates after a first down catch in overtime against the Green Bay Packers in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals game-by-game breakdown of the first four games of the 2016 season

The Arizona Cardinals have some real advantages in the first four weeks of the 2016 NFL season.  The biggest advantage for them is they will get to play three of their first four games of 2016 at home at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

The Cardinals will host the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams.  Their lone first quarter road game is at the Buffalo Bills.

Here is a look and some predictions at those first four games.

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) with wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) with wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 1: New England Patriots 5:30 p.m. NBC Sunday Night Football

It really doesn’t get much better than this, does it?  Arguably the toughest game on the 2016 schedule is the season opener.  Oh and it’s on national television to boot.  No pressure.

I think what this game does provide though is a really good idea of what to expect from the Cardinals in 2016.  You don’t often get that chance to see that in week one.  I guarantee though the Cardinals will be prepared for this one.

The good news: The Cardinals have a good chance to miss Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in this one.  The NFL is currently appealing the turnover of his 2015 four-game suspension.  If he loses in that appeal then it will likely be Jimmy Garoppolo behind center for the Pats.

I wouldn’t rule Brady out depending on if he can appeal the appeal.  However he has to lose first.  The other good news is this is in Glendale and not in Foxboro.  There is a huge difference there, although the Cardinals shocked the Pats in their last meeting in Foxboro 20-18 in 2012.  That was with Kevin Kolb behind center.

The bad news: The Pats could be without Tom Brady.  Why possibly bad?  Well, could be a ratings killer.  It could also mean some people will put an asterisk next to this game if the Cards win because they didn’t face Brady.  As long as the Cards win though, it makes no difference who the quarterback was in this one.

Prediction: Former Pats and now Cards defensive end Chandler Jones will make his initial mark on the team and get at least three sacks of the Pats quarterback, whoever that may end up being.

Cardinals 23 Patriots 19

Next: Bucs up Birdgang

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