The NFL released its regular-season schedule Tuesday, and from the Cardinals' perspective, there wasn't much to dislike.

Three of their first four games are at University of Phoenix Stadium. They avoided some possible cold-weather games, playing at New England on Sept.16 and at Green Bay on Nov.4.

Nature is fickle, but a snowstorm in New England in September would be unusual.

They play consecutive games on the road just once, against the Jets on Dec.2 and Seattle on Dec.9.

The off week comes after the ninth of 16 games. That appears to be an ideal time to rest weary bones and sore muscles.

"The first thing that jumps out at me is something that's been different for me, is a lot of home games at the front end of the schedule," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We've talked about trying to carry the momentum we built at the end of last season into next season, and you'd like to think playing at home would give us a better chance to do that."

The Cardinals appear on prime-time television twice: Thursday Oct.4 at St.Louis (NFL Network) and Monday, Oct. 29 at home against the 49ers. This will be the fourth time in five years the 49ers and Cardinals have met on Monday night.

While the schedule appears to shape up well for the Cardinals, circumstances could change that perspective. A mid-season off week seems ideal until a star player suffers an injury early and doesn't receive the extra time to recover.

"I think the bye coming later could help us, as far as getting our legs back underneath us," Whisenhunt said.

With an extra preseason game, the Cardinals will open training camp earlier than usual. By the time their off week comes, they will have been practicing and playing for more than 15 weeks.

"I really don't know when the best time for (the off week)," Whisenhunt said. "Your knee-jerk response would be halfway through the season. That's pretty close to it so hopefully that will work to our benefit."

While the schedule appears favorable, Whisenhunt wouldn't take anything for granted, not even moderate weather on Sept.16 in New England.

The Cardinals lost 47-7 in a snowstorm on their last trip to Gillette Stadium in December 2008.

"It's been kind of a weird winter-slash-spring weather wise all over the country," he said, "so the minute I say that, we'd have snow in the second week. I'd say our chances are pretty good of not having to face the conditions that we faced the last time ... . Hopefully, the outcome will become a little better, too."

The schedule:

Week 1 vs. Seattle: Cardinals host the Seahawks marking second straight year that the season opener is at home but just the fourth Week 1 home game for the Cardinals in the last 25 seasons.

Week 2 at New England: Travel to the AFC Champion Patriots for 13th all-time meeting (series tied 6-6); Arizona looking for first win over New England since 1991.

Week 3 vs. Philadelphia: Eagles make first visit to University of Phoenix Stadium since 2008 NFC Championship game; Cardinals have won the last two games against Philadelphia, including a 21-17 road win in 2011.

Week 4 vs. Miami: Dolphins visit Arizona with an 8-2 all-time series edge but the Cardinals have won the last two including a 31-10 victory in 2008, Miami's only other visit to University of Phoenix Stadium.

Week 5 at St. Louis: Cards play their first divisional road game when they take on the Rams in a nationally-televised Thursday night game on NFL Network.

Week 6 vs. Buffalo: The Bills return to Arizona for first time since 2008 when the Cards handed them their first loss of the season with a 41-17 defeat. Arizona could even the all-time series at 5-5 with a win.

Week 7 at Minnesota: The Cards face the Vikings for the fifth straight year and second straight in Minnesota; the 25th all-time meeting between the clubs will mark the sixth time Larry Fitzgerald has faced his hometown team.

Week 8 vs. San Francisco: Cards face division rival 49ers on the national stage as ESPN's "Monday Night Football" returns to University of Phoenix Stadium; Arizona handed San Fran one of its three 2011 losses in the last meeting between the clubs.

Week 9 at Green Bay: Cards travel to Lambeau Field when they face the Packers for the first time since their 51-45 overtime victory in the 2009 NFC Wild Card playoff game in AZ; it will mark the 74th all-time meeting between the clubs.

Week 10 BYE - Arizona's latest open date since 1993 when each team had two bye weeks.

Week 11 at Atlanta: Arizona heads to Ken Whisenhunt's hometown for the 27th all-time meeting between the Cards and Falcons (AZ leads the series 15-11); the home team has won each of the last five meetings.

Week 12 vs. St. Louis: Cards close season series with St. Louis as the Rams return to University of Phoenix Stadium where they have won just once in their last five visits.

Week 13 at NY Jets: The Cards make their first visit to MetLife Stadium which opened in 2010 and face the Jets in the 8th all-time meeting between the clubs.

Week 14 at Seattle: Cards play consecutive weeks on the road for the only time in 2012; they had won three straight in Seattle before a 3-point loss there in week 3 of last season.

Week 15 vs. Detroit: Cards have topped Lions in last three meetings including a 31-24 win at Detroit that clinched the 2009 NFC West title; AZ has won five straight at home against the Lions whose last road win in the series was in 1993.

Week 16 vs. Chicago: The 90th all-time meeting between the only two remaining original members of the NFL which was founded in 1920. The clubs played at least once every season from 1920-59.

Week 17 at San Francisco: The Cards close the regular season at Candlestick as the NFL's week 17 slate is again composed entirely of divisional match-ups.