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The Arizona Cardinals host the Cincinnati Bengals at University of Phoenix Stadium in a primetime matchup on NBC's Sunday Night Football. The game is the first preseason matchup between the two teams since 1996 and it is the first time the Bengals have come to University of Phoenix Stadium.
Let's look at some of the stats, history and connections between the two teams.
History:
In the preseason, their history goes back to 1970, but this will only be the third time they have played in the preseason. The two teams have split the first four games. It will be the fourth time the Cardinals host the Bengals in the preseason. The last time they played each other in the preseason in 1996, Arizona came away with a 13-10 win.
The two teams have played 10 times in the regular season as well. Cincinnati holds a 6-4 advantage and won the last time they played in 2011. It was a 23-16 win for the Bengals, but Arizona was an Early Doucet trip and John Skelton overthrow away from winning that game.
Stats:
Cincinnati was a very good team in 2013. They were 11-5 and won the AFC North.
The Bengals had the sixth-best scoring offense last season. Arizona had the seventh-best scoring defense. Cincinnati scored 54 touchdowns, including 33 thrown by Andy Dalton.
Arizona was 16th in scoring last season. Cincinnati was fifth in points allowed.
We know how good Arizona's defense was. They were number one against the run and sixth in overall defense. Cincinnati was no joke, though. They were second in the league in overall defense (yardage). Arizona was first against the run and 14th against the pass. Cincinnati was 18th against the run, but fifth against the pass.
Arizona was -1 last season in turnovers, while the Bengals were +1.
Connections:
There is a one very big connection between the two teams -- quarterback Carson Palmer.
Entering his second year with the Cardinals, he was the number one pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, taken by the Bengals. He started 97 games over eight seasons and made the Pro Bowl twice before he was traded to the Raiders.
Arizona also has Frostee Rucker, who was also drafted by the Bengals. He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round in 2006. He played 53 games in his six seasons as a Bengal, starting 19.
Cardinals D-line coach Brentson Buckner played for the Bengals in 1997.
For the Bengals, they have two former Cardinals. Dontay Moch was with Arizona last season, after having been drafted by the Bengals originally. He played in four games.
Cincinnati's kicker, Mike Nugent, was with the Cardinals for two games in 2009.
Safety Taylor Mays didn't play for the Cardinals, but his father did. Stafford Mays was a Cardinals defensive lineman from 1980-86.
Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict wasn't a Cardinal, but played football for Arizona State.
