NFL.com’s Schein: Cardinals vs. Patriots is NFL’s top primetime game

Week 1 is already an exciting time for NFL fans, as it is the beginning of a season that seems like it took forever to get to.

And for Cardinals fans especially — after the way last season ended — Week 1 of the 2016 campaign cannot get here soon enough.

Adding to the aura of Arizona’s first regular season game this season is the fact that it will be at home against the New England Patriots. And if that’s not enough, note it will be played on Sunday night and broadcast on NBC.

Buzz, thy name is that game.

In fact, the way NFL.com’s Adam Schein sees it, it’s the top primetime game of the entire season.

This is my way-too-early Super Bowl pick for the coming season, so you had better believe it’s my No. 1 game in prime time. You can easily make the case that the Patriots and Cardinals have the two best rosters in the game today. Both teams have superb coaches and front offices. And Chandler Jones gets to open the season against the club that just traded him in a blockbuster deal. On national television. In prime time. Yes!

Adding to the excitement, Glendale, Arizona, has turned into a fantastic environment for prime-time games, with its gorgeous stadium and incredible sea of red.

This is the Bizarro Super Bowl 50 matchup we didn’t get to see: The two losing teams from Championship Sunday. Tom Brady going against Jones and that Cardinal defense? I’m counting the days.

As for this being a potential Super Bowl matchup, indeed both the Cardinals and Patriots are in the group of favorites to reach the game, and it would not be a surprise to anyone if they met up again next February in Houston.

Of course, plenty will have to happen before that is even a possibility, including this delicious Week 1 affair in Glendale.

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