Some observations:
Nationally Televised Games
We draw three - We host the Colts on Sun. night Sept. 27. We're at the Giants on Sun. night Oct. 25. And we visit the Niners Mon night, Dec. 14. (Note - five other teams will appear five times in prime time, but I guess we shouldn't get greedy).
Non-Sunday Games
Just one - the Monday nighter against SF. The Niners don't gain a game-prep advantage on Mon, night since both they and the Cards play the prior Sunday. The Lions (who play us the following week) play on the preceding Sunday so they'll get a one-day game-prep advantage.
Bye Weeks
Not so hot. We drew Week #4 - kind of early; although I guess it's not a bad time to check out "who we are" over the first three games and then make adjustments for the remainder of the season. All three of our opponents have more favorable BYE Weeks: SF's is Week #6. Seattle drew Week #7. The Rams get Week #9. (All three have more favorable dates for letting nicked up bodies heal).
We don't get jobbed by any teams coming off BYE weeks. We do, however, gain a one day game-prep advantage over Houston after our BYE.
Snow Games
We may have lucked out, depending on whether Ford Field in Detroit is covered or not (We think it is, but it's hard to keep up with new stadium construction). We play StL (in a dome) Nov. 22, the Niners (It seldom if ever snows in SF) on Dec. 14 and Detroit on Dec. 20 (I remember the Silver Dome being coverd, but don't recall whether or not Ford Field is - Anyone know?) The rest of our games after Nov. 15 are home games. (The Oct. 25 night game against the Giants might be a bit chilly, but we remember going out on many a Halloween night the following week without even wearing more than a jacket).
Early Home Games
You always want to get off to a fast start, and the more home games you have early, the better. We open at home (for a change!) vs. the Niners (again!) and play three of our first four games at home. Only one of the first 5 weeks on our schedule has us on the road (since Week 4 is a BYE week).
Loud Away Games
Of course there's Seattle Oct. 18 and Da Bears Nov. 8. I don't know much about Jacksonville and Tennesee. (Giant Stadium isn't especially noisy, although you do have to keep an eye on whether or not they're manipulating the doors at the north end zone on a windy day).
Home Game Crowd Loyalties
At least there's no Dallas this year, but we do have to face two "snow bird" teams in Minnesota and Green Bay. (I doubt Colt fans travel as well as Minny and GB). Memo to Cardinal season ticket holders: "If you plan to sell off part of your season tix, don't unload Dec. 6 or Jan. 3 (unless they're being sold or given to loyal Cardinal fans). We don't want to lose our home field advantage vs. GB or Minny.
Division Games
Will any of our opponents - StL, Seattle or SF - gain any edge over us from their schedule? Other than BYE week advantages, I don't think so.
Early and Late Sun. Afternoon Games
Four air at 1:00 pm Eastern time. Nine air at approx. 4:00 pm. The other three are prime timers.
The Unexpected
Nothing on face value other than catching Tennessee in Tennessee the week after Thanksgiving, hosting the Rams the Sun. after Christmas and Green Bay the Sunday after New Years.
All in all, other than the early BYE week, I thought we did pretty well.
