It’s only April, but it’s never too early for the first game-by-game prediction of the 2015 season. Right? Keep in mind these predictions were done without considering who Arizona will draft or Daryl Washington's status. Those two factors could sway at least a game or two. In the meantime, an initial breakdown of this year’s Cardinals’ schedule.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, New Orleans, 4:05 p.m. ET
Arizona wasn’t exactly pleased Seattle traded for former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, but in this case, Arizona will be thankful. Without Graham -- who plays the one position Arizona can’t seem to figure out a way to defend -- the Saints won’t be as formidable and the Cardinals will take advantage. Cardinals 31, Saints 20. Record: 1-0.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at Chicago, 1 p.m. ET
The first road game is always a toss-up, but add in a solid running game and a talented receiving corps to defend and Arizona will leave Chicago with its first loss. This will be the Cardinals’ new right cornerback’s first test against a big receiver.Bears 28, Cardinals 24. Record: 1-1.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. ET
In what will surely be an emotionally charged game because of Darnell Dockett’s return to Arizona, the Cardinals will take advantage of everything San Francisco lost, namely a running game and the heart of its defense. Colin Kaepernick won’t be able to win this game alone because Alex Okafor will be on his heels all afternoon. Cardinals 23, 49ers 14. Record: 2-1.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, St. Louis, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Cardinals’ semi-rebuilt offensive line won’t be jelling just yet and the Rams’ vaunted defensive line will take advantage of it. St. Louis’ speedy receivers will also be a test for the Cards’ secondary. Rams 20, Cardinals 17. Record: 2-2.
Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 11, at Detroit, 4:05 p.m. ET
Arizona has won its last five meetings against the Lions and this will be six in a row. Calvin Johnson will have a big day, but the Cardinals offense will pick up steam and light up the Lions secondary. Cardinals 38, Lions 27. Record: 3-2.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ET
This is the game Arians has circled on his schedule: His return to Pittsburgh. It won’t be a blowout because the Steelers will know what to expect, but in the same sense, so will Arians. Ben Roethlisberger will get the best of his former coordinator in what will likely be the most emotional game of the season. Steelers 17, Cardinals 14. Record: 3-3.
Week 7: Monday, Oct. 26, Baltimore, 8:30 p.m. ET
It’s Monday Night Football. At home. With a .500 record on the line. The Cardinals will come to play on national TV and the defense will step up and get to Joe Flacco enough to disrupt his day. Cardinals 29, Ravens 21. Record: 4-3.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, at Cleveland, 1 p.m. ET
Armed with confidence after winning on Monday night, the Cardinals will use the short week to have a focused game plan against a team that will in the middle of a tailspin. This will be a reunion for Arizona and former linebacker Karlos Dansby. Cardinals 35, Browns 14. Record: 5-3.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15, at Seattle, 8:30 p.m. ET
The weather in Seattle will have begun to cool and with the added chance of rain, the Cardinals will be playing in conditions unfamiliar to them. While Arizona will likely have a unique game plan set for this Sunday night matchup because of the bye week, the Seahawks will have running back Marshawn Lynch. On national TV. Seahawks 27, Cardinals 20. Record: 5-4.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, Cincinnati, 4:05 p.m. ET
With a week to get over the Seattle loss, the Cardinals will regroup against the Bengals led largely by Carson Palmer, who’ll be facing the team that drafted him. Palmer might be as focused as he will be all season. Cardinals 31, Bengals 20. Record: 6-4.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. ET
Even though nine weeks will have passed between matchups, the Niners won’t have improved enough under first-year coach Jim Tomsula to win an important division game, even at home. Cardinals 17, 49ers 10. Record: 7-4.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at St. Louis, 1 p.m. ET
While the Cardinals have had success in St. Louis (3-1) under Bruce Arians, games between these two in the Edward Jones Dome tend to be close. After coming off two straight wins, Arizona will begin to slow down and get caught by the Rams. Rams 24, Cardinals 17. Record: 7-5.
Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 10, Minnesota, 8:25 p.m. ET
After losing a game that was very winnable, the Cardinals will use the short week to rest and take advantage of a Minnesota squad that has been stuck in neutral all season. The Cardinals will struggle to contain Adrian Peterson, but they’ll have no problem with the rest of the team. Cardinals 41, Vikings 21. Record: 8-5.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. ET
In the cold and possibly snow, the Cardinals won’t be able to get their tires rolling fast enough to overcome the Eagles’ rapid substitution, even in sub-prime conditions. Eagles 27, Cardinals 20. Record: 8-6.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, Green Bay, 4:25 p.m. ET
The second-to-last game of the season will likely come down to one of two things: A battle for Arizona to stay in the playoff picture and/or Green Bay fighting for seeding. And when the league’s reigning MVP is focused, Aaron Rodgers will be tough for Arizona’s secondary to stop. Packers 34, Cardinals 21. Record: 8-7.
Week 17:Sunday, Jan. 3, Seattle, 4:25 p.m. ET
Regardless of if the NFC West comes down to this game, the Cardinals won’t let Seattle leave without a fight -- and one they’ll win. The Cardinals will put together the right offensive game plan to neutralize Seattle’s secondary and finish the season with a winning record. Cardinals 28, Seahawks 17. Record: 9-7.