Running back David Johnson and the Cardinals will open the 2018 regular season at home against Washington Sept 9.
In Steve Wilks' initial year as head coach, he will get to begin his first season with a home game.
The Cardinals will open the 2018 regular season at University of Phoenix Stadium against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 9, meeting one-time 49ers foe Alex Smith as Washington's new quarterback and allowing a reunion between Wilks and one-time star pupil Josh Norman.
There is only one national TV game on the slate, with the Cardinals hosting Denver on "Thursday Night Football" Oct. 18, although the Cards will play on "Sunday Night Football" against Dallas in the preseason.
As for the NFC West, that gets started early as well, with the first road trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams Sept. 16.
"Our focus since I have been here has been our division," Wilks said prior to the schedule announcement. "You have to win your division first, so you want to see when those games are. Hopefully some are early so we can get off to a great start."
That works out, because after a home game against the Bears Sept. 23, the Cards finish their first go-round with the division with a home game against the Seahawks Sept. 30 and a road game in San Francisco Oct. 7.
Wilks also said he will be looking for the bye, which comes Nov. 4 – exactly halfway through the schedule.
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The Cardinals will likely face a chilly game in Green Bay, since they have to play the Packers Dec. 2. There are two other potential cold-weather games in Kansas City Nov. 11 and in the season finale at Seattle Dec. 30, the second straight season the Cards will finish at the Seahawks.
The pre-bye schedule, after the trip to San Francisco, includes at Minnesota Oct. 14, the Denver game, and then a home game against the 49ers Oct. 28.
After the game against the Chiefs, the Cardinals host the Raiders Nov. 18 and play in Los Angeles – this time against the Chargers – Nov. 25.
In December, the Cardinals follow up the trip to Green Bay with a home date against Detroit, a road trip to Atlanta, and then a home game against the Rams before going to Seattle.
"It's pretty early to be looking at the schedule," quarterback Sam Bradford said with a smile.
For tickets, call 602-379-0102 or click here for season ticket information. The Cardinals have sold out all 124 games they have played at University of Phoenix Stadium, including preseason matchups.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE SET
The Cardinals' preseason also opens at home, against the Chargers Aug. 11, followed by road trips to New Orleans Aug. 17 and a "Sunday Night Football" appearance in Dallas Aug. 26. The preseason closes at home against Denver Aug. 30.
