The Cardinals are in the midst of a three-game stretch of primetime games -- "Thursday Night Football" in San Francisco, "Monday Night Football" against the Jets early next week, and then a home "Sunday Night Football" game against the Seahawks. These games under the lights have been fairly good for the Cards, and it's been suggested that this is a franchise that flourishes in such matchups.
To be sure, Bruce Arians has done a nice job in his tenure. The Cardinals are 8-3 in primetime games since Arians arrived in 2013, and that's including the Seattle "SNF" loss in late 2014 when injuries -- particularly at quarterback -- undercut that matchup before it even arrived.
But the Cardinals have also been a good team under Arians, and, as with most situation, the Cardinals do well under the lights when the team is good -- and struggle when the team isn't as good.
Starting with the University of Phoenix Stadium era -- the 2006 season -- the Cards have played a total of eight "Monday Night Football" games and 12 games on either Sunday or Thursday night. Their overall record? 10-10. Last year's excellent team went 5-0 in such games, just another ancillary highlight from a fantastic season. It doesn't mean there weren't other memorable nights, win or lose -- like the Monday Night Meltdown, how Derek Anderson takes certain things serious, finding a way to beat the ageless Brett Favre or how one team is always 8-8 -- but these days, it's always about the result and how the Cardinals can improve their playoff chances.
Certainly, these next two games, even if they were played 9 a.m. on a Friday, will be crucial. The Cardinals are hoping their latest primetime run of six wins of their last seven carries over.
![porimetimeblog](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_mobile/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/s2sbkus2fffp0aqge8xr.jpg)