The Oakland Raiders travel to take on the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium for the Cardinals home opener. Kickoff is schedule for 1:15 PM (PDT).
The Cardinals started the season with a two game road trip. They return home after a 41-7 drubbing at the talons of the Atlanta Falcons. The Cardinals and the Raiders head into this game sporting 1-1 records with both victories coming at the expense of the St. Louis Rams.
The Cardinals once vaunted passing attack has struggled in the wake of Kurt Warner's retirement and Anquan Boldin's departure. They are now led by former Cleveland Browns QB, Derek Anderson. Anderson will bring a 66.8 QB rating into the game as he and the Cardinals hope to get their offense on track. Anderson has some weapons.
WR extraordinaire, Larry Fitzgerald, has been slowed at the start of the season as he recovers from a knee sprain, but is now nearing 100 percent. This sets up for one of the best matchups the NFL has to offer as he will go head-to-head with Raiders shutdown corner, Nnamdi Asomugha.
How much they line up directly across from each other remains to be seen, as the Raiders have shown reluctance to have Asomugha shadow one guy in favor of leaving him on his customary right side.
The Raiders come into the game with a fresh Quarterback controversy. Bruce Gradkowski led the Raiders to a comeback victory last week after taking over for Jason Campbell at halftime. Head Coach Tom Cable has yet to name a starter and said he will do so on Wednesday.
Stay tuned over the course of the week for injury and roster news and a more in-depth look at some of the key matchups.