We’re a few hours away from the NFL releasing its official schedule for the 2025-26 season, and there are more leaks than a government official’s group chat. The Arizona Cardinals have not been spared from the pre-release speculation, with some credible insiders saying that the Cardinals will take part in Thursday Night Football in Week 4.
On one hand, this is great. It’s a sign that the Cardinals are worth watching in primetime (specifically on Amazon Prime; this is the fourth of a 12-year deal to stream Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and Twitch). But when looking at their opponents, this TNF booking is a middle finger for the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals face off with Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football Week 4
The NFC West is going to be BRUTAL
The Cardinals are set to play their NFC West division rivals twice this season: one game away and one game at home. And who are the Cardinals reportedly hosting during Week 4? The Seattle Seahawks.
If this is true, the game will take place on September 25, just four days after the Cardinals’ Week 3 game on that prior Sunday.
Why is this a big deal? If it hasn’t been established already, the NFC West will be one of the most highly competitive divisions in the NFL this year.
The Los Angeles Rams want to win the division for a second year in a row and have made moves in the offseason in hopes of making that happen. The Seahawks, who barely missed the playoffs last year, have also bulked up their ranks. We don’t know who will start between Drew Lock, Sam Darnold and the newly-drafted Jalen Milroe, but any of them will likely challenge Arizona’s reinforced defense.
As for the San Francisco 49ers? After spending a season in the gutter (after Kansas City stomped all over their souls in Super Bowl LVIII), the Niners might wake up and remember that they were once viable championship contenders.
And Arizona has been on the upswing, and with some renewed determination not to suck this year, the Cardinals aren’t going to let the season go without a fight.
You want to book a division clash WHEN?
If Arizona lives up to its potential and the Niners get their footing, there will be four teams with a viable shot at making the NFL Playoffs. However, there are (realistically) only two slots available.
This means every NFC West divisional game is a must-win, especially for the Cardinals.
Arizona, which FRANKLY doesn’t have a great at-home win record (8-9, according to StatMuse), can’t afford to blow this reported TNF game with the Seahawks. A loss could mean the difference between a Wildcard spot and watching the Playoffs from home.
And that this game is happening so shortly after they play a regular Sunday? The pressure is on. The NFL kinda did the Cardinals dirty.
If there’s any consolation, they did Seattle dirty, too…unless the Seahawks get a Week 3 bye.
If so? Gross.