{"id":1109,"date":"2016-09-10T10:28:37","date_gmt":"2016-09-10T14:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=1109"},"modified":"2016-09-10T10:40:48","modified_gmt":"2016-09-10T14:40:48","slug":"arizona-cardinals-week-one-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/10\/arizona-cardinals-week-one-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Cardinals Week One Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Year\u2019s NFC West<\/strong> Champion Arizona Cardinals<\/strong> are preparing for the biggest game of the new season right now. Perhaps, this could be the biggest game of their lives.Head coach Bruce Arians<\/strong> appears poised and fearless as he leads his team into the pugnacious trenches of proverbial warfare. With their heads down, their knuckles seeking purchase, and their cleats digging deep into the turf, this force is one to be reckoned with, and they surely will not relent. No quarter is asked and none will be given. This year for the Red Birds is one like no other. This is the year they will finish strong, plow through the playoffs, and finally win the\u2026well, perhaps it’s best left unsaid<\/em>. The Cardinals need to win game one.<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals Week One Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

Thursday night was the official \u201cKick Off\u201d day for the new 2016 NFL<\/strong> season. The first game of the year was played at Sports Authority Field<\/strong> in Denver, Colorado. The defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos<\/strong> narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers<\/strong> 21-20 in one of the greatest rematch dogfights in NFL history. The Broncos finished the day one and zero for the record books. The Panthers are zero and one. Finally, it counts. The official NFL football season is here!<\/p>\n

Are you Ready for Some Cardinal-style Football?<\/h3>\n

Eager Cardinals fans have to wait until Sunday night to watch their team play. The Cards will take on the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium<\/strong> in Glendale, Arizona. Game time will be at 8:30pm Eastern time.<\/p>\n

Pre-Game Notables:<\/h3>\n

Cornerback Justin Bethel<\/a><\/strong> is still sidelined, suffering from a foot injury. Starting in his place is third round draft pick Brandon Williams<\/a><\/strong>. We\u2019ll just see how that goes.<\/p>\n

Safety \u201cHoney Badger\u201d Tyrann Mathieu<\/a><\/strong> is expected to play on Sunday. It\u2019s great to see him back. We\u2019ll also see how that goes.<\/p>\n

Cardinal for life, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald<\/a><\/strong> (hamstring pull) is expected to play Sunday.<\/p>\n

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong> has been officially ruled out for Sunday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

CARDINALS KEYS TO THE GAME*<\/h3>\n

*Keep quarterback Carson Palmer<\/a><\/strong> upright. He throws more accurately when he can go through his progressions and then throw the ball. Every time Palmer gets hit, well, Cardinals fans wince.<\/p>\n

*Defensively, the Cardinals defense needs to get in there and blitz, blitz, blitz!<\/em> Patriots \u201cback-up\u201d quarterback Jimmy Garropolo<\/strong> is starting the game for New England. Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> (four game suspension) isn\u2019t allowed to play. Of course, if the blitz package isn\u2019t working then spread it out, go more man to man.<\/p>\n

*Red Bird Fever. The Cardinals twelfth-man influence is arguably the loudest, most explosive in all the land. Of course, this helps tremendously to win games.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n