Cardinals’ game vs. Rams to determine 2021 schedule

If they win, they will play a second-place schedule in 2021. If they lose, they will play a third-place schedule.

The Arizona Cardinals have a playoff berth on the line this weekend. That has been well documented. The result of the game also determines their schedule for next season, albeit in a minor way. It will affect three of their games.

A win and a loss are the difference between a second-place finish in the NFC West and a third-place finish.

If they win, they finish in second place, meaning they would play the 2020 second-place from the NFC South, NFC East and, assuming the 17-game schedule the league plans on having, the AFC North.

Beating the Rams means hosting Tom Brady, Bruce Arians and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season. The other two opponents will be determined in Week 17.

The Cardinals have played a last-place schedule each of the last two seasons.

They last played a second-place schedule in 2017 after their 7-8-1 2016 campaign.

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