GLENDALE, Ariz. - Well, if any team in the NFL had an "exciting" preseason it was the Arizona Cardinals, for the most part. The team won its first three games, its defense had a record-tying total of 17 takeaways and there were promising performances from rookies Josh Rosen and Christian Kirk among others.
Now, it's time for the real thing.
A brand new quarterback in veteran Sam Bradford will lead this team after five seasons of Carson Palmer under center. Bradford is known for his quick, short passing accuracy and game management skills. But, he's also known for being injury prone. The Cardinals signed Bradford this offseason, but also used a first-round draft pick on UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. Bradford is the starter, but if he gets injured, or things go horribly wrong to start the season, Rosen will be waiting in the wings.
A brand new head coach leads this Cardinals team in Steve Wilks, who has spent more than a decade in the NFL. His last job was defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. The last three Cardinals head coaches went 10-6, 8-8 and 6-10 in their inaugural seasons (Bruce Arians in 2013, Ken Whisenhunt in 2007 and Dennis Green in 2004).
Other storylines coming into the game include star running back David Johnson signing a three-year contract extension through the 2021 season just a day before the regular season began. Johnson sat out nearly the entire 2017 season with a wrist injury, but in 2016 was named first-team All Pro and was a Pro Bowl selection in just his second season in the NFL. He'll look to have another productive year leading the offense.
Larry Fitzgerald enters his 15th season with the Arizona Cardinals after mulling possible retirement this offseason. Fitzgerald holds franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, 100-yard receiving games (46), 1,000 yard seasons (9). He's less than 400 yards away from jumping Tony Gonzalez to have the second-most receiving yards all-time in the NFL.
Behind Fitzgerald is second-year receiver Chad Williams and rookie Christian Kirk, who both had an impressive offseason had productive preseasons.
Washington Redskins
The Cardinals are hosting the Washington Redskins in week one who also come in with a new look on offense.
After trading for former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith this offseason and losing Kirk Cousins, Smith will get the start for the Redskins. Smith had his best season to date last season throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He'll have receivers Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson Jr. as well as tight end Jordan Reed as his top potential targets.
Starting at running back for the Redskins is veteran and future hall of famer Adrian Peterson, who spent time with the Cardinals last season but was cut by the team afterward.
The Redskins finished the 2017 season with the 21st-ranked defensive in total yards allowed. The team finished 7-9 last year and third in the NFC East.
The Redskins and Cardinals played last season in Washington, where the Cardinals lost 15-20. Washington leads the all-time series against the Cardinals 75-46-2.
How to watch
TV: FOX
TIME: 1:00 PM
WHERE: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
MORE CARDINALS: 12News.com/Cardinals
Prediction
The Redskins come into this game favored by 1.5 points. Vegas doesn't expect too high-scoring of a game as the over/under is set at 43.5.
Washington went 2-6 on the road last season and averaged just 13 points per game on the road.
The Cardinals are coming into this game with a lot of energy. New quarterback, new coach, new stadium name, new contract for one of its top playmakers and a defense that is coming off an incredible preseason.
Pick: Cardinals 24, Redskins 16