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WEEK 5
Oct. 11 LIONS at CARDINALS 1:25 p.m. (FOX)
I know it surprises no one to hear that since 2001, the Cardinals have played no non-division team more than the Lions. This season will be the 19th time in 26 seasons. That's ... a lot. For most of that time, the Lions were not a team in the NFC mix. That's changed. (This game, for instance, is only because both teams finished in fourth in their divisions, although Detroit had a 9-8 record.) -
WEEK 7
Oct. 25 BRONCOS at CARDINALS 1:05 p.m. (CBS)
No one is drawing a straight line to what Bo Nix has been for Denver and what the Cardinals hope Carson Beck can be. Nix was a first-round pick. But Beck had a Nix-like college resumé with lots of games under his belt. For him to turn into a Nix-like QB would be a dream scenario for the Cardinals. Of course, the Broncos didn't nearly reach a Super Bowl because of Nix; whomever is playing QB for the Cardinals will have to make it work against former Cardinals DC/current Denver DC Vance Joseph and his game-wrecker, defensive lineman (and former Cardinal) Zach Allen. -
WEEK 10
Nov. 15 RAMS at CARDINALS 2:05 p.m. (CBS)
LaFleur has referenced what the Cardinals did to the Rams at State Farm Stadium in 2024 a couple of times; that kind of performance would be welcoming. A stat to see for James Conner: the veteran running back has seven touchdowns in seven games against the Rams in his career. Can he add to that total? But on the other side of the ball, the battle between Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson and Rams wideout Puka Nacua will be in the spotlight. -
WEEK 12
Nov. 29 COMMANDERS at CARDINALS 2:25 p.m. (FOX)
The Commanders have their QB in Jayden Daniels. What they have to make sure is that he doesn't become their new version of Robert Griffin III, a talented quarterback who can run but with injuries never quite made it. Daniels is coming off an injury-ravaged season, and is learning a new system now that Kliff Kingsbury is no longer is OC. He'll be the focal point of the Cardinals' defense -- especially after Daniels played so well in 2024 during a visit to State Farm Stadium, a Commanders' win.

