GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals came within one win of the Super Bowl last season.New England lost at Denver in the Patriots sixth straight AFC championship game, Arizona was blown out at Carolina in the Cardinals second appearance ever in the NFC title contest.The Patriots and Cardinals, a combined 25-7 in the 2015 regular season, meet Sunday night, an intriguing matchup of New England coach Bill Belichick and Arizonas Bruce Arians.Except the Patriots wont have their best player. Tom Brady must sit out the first four games as punishment for the Deflategate, episode.In his place. Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first career start on national television in the noisy atmosphere of University of Phoenix Stadium.31Garoppolo has thrown 31 passes in his two-year career, completing 20, in his two seasons as Bradys backup. In 2015, Garoppolo was 1 for 2 for 6 yards.Garoppolo called it a great opportunity.He wont have Rob Gronkowski to throw to, with the star tight end ruled out of the game because of a hamstring injury. The team confirmed Friday night that Gronkowski had been downgraded from questionable to out for the game. Also missing the game will be offensive linemen Jonathan Cooper and Nate Solder.The Cardinals had prepared for a healthy Gronkowski. Arizona defensive coordinator James Boettcher called him the best in the game right now at tight end.`There wasnt a whole lot of video on Garoppolo for the Cardinals to study but that didnt stop Arians from heaping on the praise. Arians said Garoppolo reminds him of a young Tony Romo.Very athletic, very accurate, Arians said. Not a real powerful, deep throwing arm, but very accurate. He gets it out of his hand fast. Tony was the same way coming out and had a lot of success early.The Cardinals should know not to take a backup quarterback lightly. Pittsburgh third-stringer Landry Jones rallied the Steelers to a victory over Arizona last year.Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer barely played in the preseason and shrugs off the two interceptions he had returned for touchdowns.Here are some things to consider when the Patriots meet the Cardinals:OLD COACHES: The game features two of the three oldest coaches in the NFL: Belichick is 64, Arians 63. They also are two of the top three coaches in wins the last 60 games.I think Bruce has done a great job, Belichick said. ... Theyve put together a good football team with good talent. They have a good system. They are hard to prepare for.Arians said the same of Belichicks Patriots.Expect the unexpected, Arians said.The players will get psyched for this game, but not the coaches, Arians added.We dont get to play, he said.FAMILIAR FOE: The Patriots certainly will recognize one of the players they face. Chandler Jones, acquired in a trade with New England in the offseason, will line up at outside linebacker. He had 12 1/2 sacks as a defensive end for New England last season.I had this one circled with a red marker, Jones said.Bolstering the pass rush was Arizona general manager Steve Keims No. 1 objective. Arizona traded Cooper and a second-round draft pick for Jones.Did Jones offer some insight into the Patriots?He talked to the guys, but theres really not much more than `He (Garoppolo) is really accurate, and `Hes very athletic, Arians said.RUNNING GAME: The Cardinals are expecting big things from second-year running back David Johnson, based on his play last season. Johnson was the fourth player in NFL history to top 500 yards rushing, 400 yards receiving, 500 yards in kickoff returns and 13 touchdowns.The others are Tim Brown, Gale Sayers and Maurice Jones-Drew.QUESTIONABLE CORNER: The Cardinals are starting rookie Brandon Williams at cornerback opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson. Williams, who played the position only one season at Texas A&M, struggled in one-on-one coverage in the preseason. Is he ready for the role?Hes the best weve got, Arians said. He better be.Expect the Cardinals to mix up the coverage schemes and give Williams some help.AMENDOLAS BACK: Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola didnt see any preseason action, and was limited during training camp as he recovered from knee and ankle issues. He returned to full practice participation once camp ended, and is expected to start alongside Julian Edelman.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLJason Kidd Suns Jersey . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. Elie Okobo Suns Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/richaun-holmes-suns-jersey/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Grant Hill Suns Jersey . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. Penny Hardaway Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field.England lock Courtney Lawes is winning his battle with a knee injury and is expected to start Saturdays clash with South Africa at Twickenham. Lawes was a late withdrawal from two Northampton matches last month due to bruising on the joint and had been given until Tuesday to prove his fitness for the Old Mutual Wealth Series opener.But the 27-year-olds recovery has progressed well and he is set to resume his World Cup second-row partnership alongside Joe Launchbury in the injury-enforced absence of Maro Itoje and George Kruis. England vs South Africa November 12, 2016, 2:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Courtney has taken part in training this morniing (Monday) and will take part in training this afternoon so we expect him to be fit, defence coach Paul Gustard said.dddddddddddd Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract. Mako Vunipola arrived at last weeks training camp in Portugal with a hip problem but that has also been resolved and England have a fully fit 34-man squad to select from for the Springboks.Mako has been training too. Were in a good state of health and ready to continue our preparations for South Africa, Gustard added.Watch England v South Africa live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2pm. Catch all four of Englands Old Mutual Wealth Series fixtures for £25 with NOW TV. No contract. Also See: Beaumont sticks with England Brown targets No 1 spot Vunipola reveals NFL dream Jones, Itoje up for top awards ' ' '