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Arizona Cardinals could get national television in week one

By Scott Allen

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a fourth quarter touchdown in front of Johnson Bademosi #24 of the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a fourth quarter touchdown in front of Johnson Bademosi #24 of the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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A report suggests that the Arizona Cardinals could open the 2019 season at home against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football

It is certainly understandable that some may want to see the new Arizona Cardinals offense play quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns next season.  The two teams are scheduled to play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

But on Monday Night Football?  In week one?  That would take guts by the NFL, even in a week one Monday Night Football doubleheader.

Zac Jackson of The Athletic Cleveland said he has been told the Monday Night Football matchup is a real possibility.  I’ll believe it when it is official but it certainly is an interesting thought.

One of the pro’s for such a move would be putting two young and up and coming quarterbacks in the spotlight to start their second NFL season’s.  While Mayfield played very well in his rookie season, Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen still has to prove some things to get to Mayfield’s level.

It would be the first NFL regular season game for Cardinals head coach Kilff Kingsbury and his staff.  So, the intrigue would be there.

However, on a national stage so soon?  I get the love for the Browns, but why would the NFL put a team coming off a 3-13 season on national television right out of the gate?

Even for a second game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader, it would seem like a risky move. The reason for the doubleheader is ratings, to get people excited for the new season.

We don’t know what we will have as far as the Cardinals go when this game gets scheduled in April.  The NFL draft still will not have happened.  It just seems like a risky move to put a 3-13 team still filled with some unknowns on in front of the country right away.

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There is no flexing out for Monday Night Football like there is for Sunday Night Football.  Once scheduled, the NFL is locked into the choice.  We’ll see what happens but either way it is one of the more intriguing games on the Cardinals 2019 schedule.

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