On Sunday night, the Arizona Cardinals will make their fifth prime-time appearance in 2015. They’re currently unbeaten under the lights, a reality that has resulted in an uptick in the team’s national following.
But as the Cardinals become the new America’s Team, they may not be Arizona’s team. Fans holding tickets to home games have been selling them off, resulting an an abundance of fans of visiting teams. Coach Bruce Arians has opted not to be bashful regarding his befuddlement.
Arians recently shared his views on the topic with 98.7 FM.
“It’s going to take a little more time to stop seeing waves and just complete sections of the visiting team where you normally see Cardinal fans,” Arians said. “I don’t give a [sh-t] how much you get for your tickets. It ain’t worth it. . . . That’s why you buy the tickets.”
The message, even if fans were willing to heed it, is too late. Darren Rovell of ESPN.com pointed out earlier this month that a large contingent of Packers fans is expected to show up at the December 27 game against Green Bay.
And that could be bad news for the Cardinals. If they stumble on Sunday night against the Eagles and if the Packers win in Oakland, the winner of the Week 16 game at Arizona will have the inside track for a bye.