We’re still 7 months away from watching NFC West football again, but the good news is the opponents they will be playing in 2018 have already been released.
I figured it’s never too soon to break down some key non-divisional matchups for each team, so here we go! We’re going to go in alphabetical order, starting with the Cardinals.
*Just FYI, the NFC West is scheduled to play the AFC West and NFC North this year. They will also be playing a road game against an NFC South team and a home game against an NFC East team that placed the same as them*
Cardinals non-division 2018 opponents
AWAY: Chargers, Chiefs, Vikings, Packers, Falcons
HOME: Broncos, Raiders, Bears, Lions, Redskins
Most interesting matchups:
1. Vs Denver Broncos
The battle of the Rocky Mountain’s as I like to call it. These teams are the only two NFL teams that play in the Mountain Time Zone and they only play each other once every four years. The last 4 matchups have all been blowouts, with Denver winning thrice.
2. Vs Detroit Lions
Since the 2002 division realignment, the Cardinals have played the Lions a whopping 12 times, which is the most of any non-division opponent. The Cardinals 8-game overall win streak against the Lions was snapped in 2017, but at home, they have not lost to Detroit since 1993.
3. At Green Bay Packers
This is a rematch of the playoff thriller in Arizona two years ago that the Cardinals won in overtime after a Rodgers’ Hail Mary tied it. A lot has changed for the Cardinals since then, so we’ll see where they matchup against them this year. This is only the third time the Cardinals have played in Green Bay since 2000 AND THEY HAVEN’T WON IN GREEN BAY SINCE 1949, WHEN THEY WERE THE CHICAGO CARDINALS!
Ahem, next.
4. At Atlanta Falcons
Fun fact: 6 of the last 8 regular season matchups between the Cardinals and Falcons have been in Atlanta.
Another fun fact: The Cardinals have lost all of them.
The Falcons were 10-6 this past year, but looked a mess on offense at times. However, with the Cardinals uncertainty at quarterback and coaching, a win in Atlanta for the first time since 1994 doesn’t look promising.
5. Vs Washington Redskins
The Cardinals will see a familiar face come to Arizona as Alex Smith will be a Redskin next year. Alex Smith is just 1-3 against the Cardinals in Arizona and 4-5 overall, but looks to have the better team on paper this time.
*Bonus* Super Bowl Prediction
I am rooting for the Eagles as my brother is a die hard fan, but the Pats have the pedigree and experience that the Eagles don’t. This will be a tough one that could go either way, but I think this will be another close Super Bowl win for New England.
Pick: Patriots 27-26
