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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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Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:05 p.m. FOX 

The Cardinals have not seen the Bucs since 2013 in Carson Palmer’s first season with Arizona.  They struggled but it was still early in the Bruce Arians era in Arizona.  The Cardinals came away with a 13-10 victory in Tampa.

The last time the Bucs came to Arizona was in 201.  The Bucs won a shootout 38-35 with Josh Freeman as their quarterback.

The good news: Palmer knows the offensive system in Arizona just a little bit better than the last time he faced them.  A lot more has changed in Tampa than Arizona during the three-year stretch.

This game is also at home and not in the Florida humidity.  That will come later in the season with a trip to Miami.

The bad news: Tampa Bay has a tough defense.  Despite all of their offensive woes, they can also move the ball with second-year Jameis Winston behind center.  He made the Pro-Bowl in his rookie campaign of 2015.  He has a full year of NFL play under his belt.  He will do nothing but get better.

Prediction: Winston may be able to torch the Cardinals secondary depending on how the Cardinals shore that up between now and the regular season.  The Cardinals aren’t likely done adding to that area.  That being said, the Cardinals should still come away with the win.

Cardinals 27  Buccaneers 23

Next: A trip to Buffalo in September

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