Arizona Cardinals: 6 Games We Can't Wait To See This Year

This year is going to be quite a year for the Cardinals. There are so many people looking at number 7 seeing if he can replace number 13 adequately. But if you are a twitter fiend like me, you know there is some major trash talk that is thrown about between certain Cardinals and other players in the league. It's like waiting to see an MMA fight that you have been anticipating. Looking at the Cardinals schedule this year kind of excites me because it's the easiest schedule in the NFL which is great for working in a new QB and offensive mind set.

Let's examine the five games the DVR will be set for.

Arizona at St.Louis, Sept 12

This game is important for Cardinals fans. First and foremost, the Cardinals should win this game, but here's why it intrigues me. It's on the road. Coach Whisenhunt has always emphasized the need for winning on the road. What better way to start than have the Rams and their rookie quarterback stroll out to the feel. Our first team defense should have a field day with the Rams offense, but remember the Rams played the Cards really tough in the first game last year (21-13).

Another reason this game is important is to get Matt Leinart some confidence. Imagine if Matt comes with a 20-28, 289 yards and 3 TDS for this game. It could work wonders for his image and his ego.

Last and certainly not least is the fact that this is a division game. You only get six (6) of these a year. You gotta make them count. Cards have to leave St. Louis 1-0. Period.

Oakland at Arizona, Sept 26

August 23, 2008. You remember what happened that day? Take a look at the picture. Matt Leinart running for his life against the Oakland Raiders. This game, in effect, sent Matt Leinart back to the backup role to Kurt Warner. Leinart threw 3 interceptions within a matter of minutes versus the Oakland Raiders in the third preseason game.

Do you think somewhere in the recesses of his mind, the Oakland Raiders game can be a tipping point again for him? Let's say St.Louis upsets the Cardinals, and Atlanta runs the Cards out of town.  Matt doesn't play especially well, and an 0-2 record just doesn't sit well with Coach Whisenhunt. Could this game send him back to the bench again?

That's why I want to see this game oh so badly. Let's see how mentally strong Matt is.

And this may be the only time you hear me speak of the Oakland Raiders this year.

New Orleans vs Arizona, Oct 10

Call this game a sad reminder of what could have been. We know this game sent Kurt Warner into retirement, in fact, the scene above may have been Kurt's last moment on a football field. Do you think that some Cardinals want a chance at revenge? I can hear Joey Porter now. "You guys left us with Matt Leinart!"  How about DRC? Remember, he left this game with a nasty knee injury -- an injury that he's still battling with. Mentally, that's going to be in the back of his mind along with the thoughts that he could have helped slow down Drew Brees in the playoff game last year.

I doubt that's true, but maybe it would have been closer than 45-14. Also, the Cardinals have to win all games against NFC foes for that all important conference record. This can be the difference between playing at home in January or playing in the snow.

There's unfinished business here folks.

Both Games vs the 49ers, Nov 29 and Jan 2

This series is so serious that I couldn't separate the two games. Everybody is predicting the San Francisco 49ers will win the NFC West. It's the rise of the 49ers. The 49ers are going back to the playoffs! I'm not gonna crown them champs just yet, and Darnell Dockett has something to say about this. If you follow him on twitter, and I highly recommend you do, you know that his hatred for the 49ers is nothing short of the Hatfields and McCoys. The Montague and Capulets.

Let's not get it twisted Cards fans. The 49ers have owned the Cards lately. The showing we got on Monday Night Football was horrible reality television. The offense was stagnant, and the defense was tired of being on the field.

What if the final game on January 2 is for the division and the playoffs? A win-and-you're-in situation? Or what if the Cardinals have the division locked up, but the 49ers want to play spoilers and injure a few folks? You can't script this folks.

One thing to note Cards fans - the game is in San Francisco.

Dallas at Arizona, Christmas

First, we get to see the Lakers vs the revamped Heat, and then we get this little bundle of joy at night on the NFL Network. Who knows where each team will be at this game? The Cowboys could be eyeing home field advantage or fighting for a playoff spot. The Cardinals could be solidifying the NFC West or golf plans for the winter.

But have you noticed that when these two get together, it's always a good game? Remember the last time they played in Arizona? Sean Morey blocks the punt, breaks the leg of the Dallas Punter, and Cards win in overtime.

It may not be that exciting this year, but there is no way this game isn't fun. The question is --- will Matt still be the starting quarterback?