Arizona Cardinals schedule 2020: 3 Toughest, 3 easiest games

Toughest Game No. 1: San Francisco 49ers, Week 1

Murray and his rebuilt offense face a trial by fire in Week 1. The 49ers represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last year and were arguably some poor fourth-quarter play-calling away from winning the franchise’s sixth title. Assuming San Francisco picks up where it left off last year, the 49ers will be one of the top five teams in the NFL.

The Cardinals lost both of their matchups against the 49ers last season. However, in Week 9, Arizona only lost by three points. The Cardinals lost the subsequent rematch by ten points, but the young team proved they could keep pace with San Francisco. It’s not the one-sided beatdown many people might expect.

In 2020, the Cardinals also face San Francisco in Week 16. However, the Week 1 matchup should prove more difficult since the Cardinals went through more turnover than the 49ers.

Easiest Game No. 1: Washington Redskins, Week 2

This offseason, the Redskins hired Ron Rivera as their new head coach. Rivera spent the previous nine years with the Carolina Panthers, where he won the AP Coach of the Year award twice. It will take Rivera several years to turn the Redskins around, assuming he can do it at all.

Outside of Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Scherff, Washington’s offense is devoid of Pro Bowl talent. Adrian Peterson is still productive, but he’s a shell of his former self. Terry McLaurin put together a good rookie season, but he hardly looks like a reliable No. 1 option in the NFL. Add in Dwayne Haskins‘ poor quarterback play and you’ve got one of the worst offenses in the NFL.

Defensively, Washington could prove more challenging for Arizona. The Redskins loaded their defensive front with first-round picks, including Jonathan Allen, Ryan Kerrigan, Da’Ron Payne, Montez Sweat, and Chase Young. However, Washington’s secondary and linebacking corps remain exploitable.

Unless Alex Smith pulls off his miraculous comeback and takes control of Washington’s offense by Week 2, I don’t see how Arizona could lose this game. The Redskins should be picking in the top three selections of the 2021 NFL Draft.