Arizona Cardinals’ star eyeing new challenge within division

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a pass interference penalty during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Peterson #21 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a pass interference penalty during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on November 27, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals’ Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson is set to welcome star wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the NFC West

Over the last couple of years, Arizona Cardinals’ cornerback Patrick Peterson has found his strongest competition outside of the NFC West. Wideouts he has faced within the division during that time like Doug Baldwin, Kenny Britt, Torrey Smith and Tavon Austin are all good players. They’re certainly not the league’s cream of the crop at the position, however.

A trade made yesterday by the Los Angeles Rams could be the first step in changing all of that. The club acquired Sammy Watkins from the Buffalo Bills, surely getting the attention of Peterson. You can rest assured that the Cards’ six-time Pro Bowler received news of the deal as soon as it went down.

Peterson is an intense competitor, so he has to be thrilled with this brand new challenge placed before him. Unlike Seattle Seahawks’ corner Richard Sherman, the Cardinals’ seventh-year pro’s job is to shadow the opposing team’s best pass-catcher each and every week. In contrast, Sherman only covers the receivers that line up on his side. When comparisons between the two cover guys is made, that fact alone should give Peterson the nod as to who is better (But I digress!).

That being said, it’s a foregone conclusion that Peterson will be everywhere on the football field that Watkins is whenever the two meet. Barring injury, there will be two matchups this upcoming campaign, and hopefully many more for years to come. Perhaps this new rivalry has the potential to mimic the great Aeneas Williams-Michael Irvin battles that fans enjoyed in the 1990’second.

So get ready Arizona fans. Suddenly, the Cardinals-Rams series has a spanking new storyline for TV commentators to get viewers excited about. The two franchises’ October 22nd meeting in London, England can’t get here fast enough now.

Schedule