By Avnish Singh 
Cardinals vs. Bills: Coaching Matchup Preview
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) at Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Time/Site: 10 a.m. MST, Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York.
TV: FOX | Radio: 98.7 FM | Stream: Watch live on FUBO (free trial available)
Last Time They Played:
Cardinals fans still vividly remember that heart-pounding finish. With mere seconds on the clock, Kyler Murray slipped free from Buffalo’s pressure, scrambled to his left, and launched a 43-yard bomb that floated into the end zone. There, DeAndre Hopkins leapt up and came down with one of the most iconic grabs in franchise history, sealing a stunning 32-30 win for Arizona. The play, now immortalized as the ‘Hail Murray,’ remains one of the greatest moments in recent Cardinals lore.
Series History:
The Cardinals and Bills don’t meet often. In fact, these teams have only squared off 12 times over the past 54 years. It’s been even rarer to see them play in consecutive years, with the last back-to-back matchups dating back to 1986. All-time, the Cardinals trail the series 5-7 and have struggled since their relocation to Arizona, going 2-5. Winning in Buffalo has been a Herculean task for Arizona, with their lone road win over the Bills dating back to 1971.
Coaching Battle:
The coaching matchup this Sunday features two defensive minds at the helm of their respective teams. Jonathan Gannon is entering his second season as the Cardinals’ head coach after a stint as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator. On the opposite sideline, Sean McDermott brings seven years of head-coaching experience with the Bills, having built a 73-41 regular-season record and leading Buffalo to the playoffs in five of those years.
Gannon and McDermott haven’t crossed paths in coaching duels since the 2020 playoffs when the Bills edged out the Colts. However, Gannon is familiar with Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. The two clashed in 2021, with Gannon’s Eagles topping Brady’s Panthers, 21-18. Their defensive strategies will play a key role in this opening matchup.
Storyline to Watch:
Can the Cardinals’ offense break out?
Arizona has the pieces in place to surprise some people this year. Kyler Murray is healthy and had an encouraging offseason. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. comes into the league with sky-high expectations, while offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is regarded as one of the sharpest minds in football. Pair that with weapons like James Conner, Trey McBride, and Michael Wilson, and Arizona’s offense looks promising.
This game against Buffalo will be the first test for a team eager to see if their potential can translate into a competitive season. A strong showing could set the tone for a new era of football in the desert.
Also Read: Falcons vs. Steelers: How to Watch,Schedule,Game Time and more
Keys to the Game:
Arizona will win if…
- Kyler Murray returns to form: Last season showed glimpses of Murray’s elite talent. Over his final three games, he averaged 241.3 passing yards with six touchdowns and just one interception. Now, two years removed from ACL surgery, the Cardinals need Murray to elevate his game if they are to have any chance at an upset in Buffalo.
- The WR corps lives up to the hype: The Cardinals’ wide receivers were the talk of training camp, and for good reason. Marvin Harrison Jr. headlines a group that includes Michael Wilson and the electric Greg Dortch. But they’ll be facing a stingy Bills secondary that ranked fourth in pass coverage last season. Can the Cardinals’ young wideouts rise to the occasion?
- Their pass defense holds up: Arizona’s secondary could be a liability this season. Sean Murphy-Bunting is the only corner with more than a season of experience, and he’s coming off a tough year. The Bills, however, don’t boast a dominant No. 1 receiver. If the Cardinals can contain Josh Allen’s passing attack, they could keep Buffalo’s offense in check.
Buffalo will win if…
- Arizona can’t contain Allen’s scrambling: The Cardinals have made it clear all week — they need to be disciplined in their pass rush and keep Allen from breaking off big runs. They managed to contain Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts last season but struggled against Justin Fields. Allen’s legs could be the deciding factor if Arizona can’t keep him in the pocket.
- The Cardinals’ run defense struggles: Arizona had a porous rush defense last season, leading the league in yards allowed on the ground. Buffalo, which became more run-focused when Joe Brady took over, will look to exploit that weakness. The addition of veterans like Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols will be key in shoring up the Cardinals’ front, but they’ll have their hands full with Buffalo’s ground game.
- Arizona’s offensive line falters: Buffalo’s defensive front has some big names but was inconsistent last season. That gives Arizona’s offensive line a chance to shine, but this group is untested in game situations. Can they give Murray enough protection to make plays? If not, the Cardinals could be in for a long day.
They Said It:
Gannon on the challenge of facing Bills Mafia:
“It’s awesome. I love playing on the road. Honestly, to open the year on the road, I love it. It’s gonna be awesome for our guys to be in that environment… it’ll be a fun, cool environment Week 1.”
By the Numbers:
- 4: Draft pick used on Marvin Harrison Jr., raising hopes for Arizona’s offensive future.
- 7: Cardinals starters who weren’t on last year’s roster, excluding special teams.
- 53: Years since the Cardinals last won in Buffalo, dating back to 1971.
- 971: Days since the Cardinals finished with a winning record at the end of 2022.
Who Will Win and Why:
Prediction: Bills 31, Cardinals 27
Despite Buffalo’s lack of star power at wide receiver, Arizona’s pass defense remains a major concern. Josh Allen could feast on their lack of depth at cornerback and edge rusher. But if Murray finds chemistry with his receivers early, the Cardinals could make this a competitive shootout. Regardless of the outcome, it’s set to be an entertaining game as these two defensive coaches square off.
