The BA Factor
It will be the first game that former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians will see the Cardinals on the field since he “retired” after the 2017 season. He returned to coaching in the offseason with the Bucs.
He hasn’t been able to re-create the magic in Tampa, yet, that he created in his first season as a head coach in the NFL with the Cardinals in 2013. The Cardinals went 10-6 in his first season before finishing 11-5 and earning a Wild Card playoff spot in 2014 and an NFC West title and trip to the NFC Championship in 2015 coming off a 13-3 season.
His team is 2-6 and Winston has been nothing close to what Carson Palmer gave Arians. He’s had moments but the 12 interceptions have to be troubling. There have been rumors this could be it for Winston in Tampa after this season.
Don’t be surprised if BA has a trick play or two up his sleeve if need be on Sunday. There are still about a dozen Cardinals on this roster that were here when he left in ’17. It should be a fun afternoon in Tampa on Sunday.