The Arizona Cardinals swept the Rams last season by a combined score of 52-23!  Things are going to be a lot different this year though without QB Kurt Warner and WR Anquan Boldin around.  Here is a look at the opening weekend match-up with the Rams:

When the Cardinals have the ball:  The Cardinals should come out throwing the ball against a Rams’ D not that well equipped to stop them.  If the Cardinals can protect QB Derek Anderson it will give him confidence to throw the ball down the field so the offense can benefit from his strong throwing arm.  WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Early Doucet will be busy in this game for the Cardinals.  Tim Hightower will be starting at RB because Beanie Wells has a bruised knee.  Anderson will likely throw a lot of short passes to Hightower as he is a excellent receiver.

When the Rams have the ball:  The Cardinals will be keying on RB Steven Jackson trying to make the Rams one dimensional.  If that happens the Cardinals will send everyone but the kitchen sink after rookie QB Sam Bradford.  OLB Joey Porter and SS Adrian Wilson are going to be the biggest threats to Sam Bradford’s health this Sunday.

PREDICTION:  CARDINALS 20, RAMS 13