The Cardinals and Cam Newton have had history.

Newton's first NFL game was in Arizona, a 422-yard passing performance upended by Patrick Peterson's punt return. He is 1-1 in his other two regular-season games against the Cardinals -- winning at home, losing at State Farm Stadium -- but has a better record in the playoffs. Back-to-back years the Cardinals had to go to Carolina and face Newton's Panthers, the first in a Wild Card game in which Newton didn't play particularly well but a good Cards' team was down to third-stringer Ryan Lindley at quarterback and the Cards had the fewest offensive yards (78) in a playoff game in NFL history. Of course, the next year, the Cards had their quarterback in Carson Palmer, but he had a miserable night -- and Newton did not -- in a Panthers' dominating win in the NFC Championship.

The Cardinals didn't see an injured Newton this past season when the Panthers came to visit. But now comes the news Newton will be signing with the Patriots, and while the Cards and Pats only meet once every four years, this is one of them. The Patriots insisted they were prepared to go with the untested Jarrett Stidham at QB after Tom Brady left for the Buccaneers, but it's hard to imagine Newton not getting the job assuming he is healthy.

The Cardinals are scheduled to visit New England Nov. 29, Week 12 of the season.