It’s game week for the Arizona Cardinals and to kick off the new year they face an incredible duel with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

In fact, there are few ways to start your season with a greater challenge.

Let’s dive into this opening game of the season and see if the Cardinals have a chance to pull off perhaps their biggest upset on the road against the Bills in Week 1.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

How will everyone’s favorite rookie do in his first NFL game? My prediction: pretty good.

The Bills are a mess in the secondary, as they have to replace All-Pro safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. They also have serviceable cornerbacks who can’t hold a candle to MHJ. Expect veteran and former Cardinal Rasul Douglas to shadow Harrison.

There are huge expectations for Harrison as a rookie and this game is a perfect opportunity to prove himself and make a statement. Against a questionable secondary, Harrison could put on a great performance in his NFL debut.

Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt and Will Hernandez

OK, it’s a bit of a cheat to name three players, but they’re going up against a dynamic back line led by Ed Oliver, so they’ll have their hands full.

Last season, the Bills recorded 54 sacks, 17.5 of which came specifically from the defensive interior. With Oliver and DaQuon Jones both starting from last year, they’re back after recording 12 of those 17.5 sacks (9.5 by Oliver, 2.5 by Jones).

I expect these two to move around quite a bit and create different matchups for the interior of the Cardinals offensive line. I also expect the Bills to rely heavily on blitzing and sending linebackers like Terrel Bernard (6.5 sacks) and Tyrel Dodson (2.5 sacks) on blitz packages and attacking the middle of the line.

All three have to be in top form, otherwise not only will the Bills’ pass rush be a complete success, but the Cards could also have serious problems running the football.

Zaven Collins

Collins will take on a major role on defense this year. The rushing edge spot has been depleted due to injuries and will push him back to that spot. But Collins will be asked to do more than just pressure the passer.

Thanks to Josh Allen’s running talent, the Bills have a potentially dangerous running game. Running back James Cook is also coming off a season with 1,122 rushing yards, closely followed by rookie Ray Davis (who had two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to finish his college career).

With a strong offensive line led by three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, the Bills are well equipped to fend off one of the league’s strongest rushing attacks.

Against this background, it will be Collins’ job to set the necessary accents and limit Buffalo’s attacking pressure.

Final result: Bills 31, Cardinals 14