Cardinals’ Bruce Arians ready to face former team

When Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Chuck Pagano had to take a leave to continue his battle with Leukemia, current Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians stepped in for Pagano. Arians helped lead the Colts to the playoffs just a year after having the worst record in the NFL.

Arians has done just as good of a job with the Cardinals, leading them to a 6-4 record despite playing in what is arguably the NFL’s best division, the NFC West.

Arians, who was hired by Pagano after reportedly being forced to retire from the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2011, remains grateful for the chance Pagano.

“It was such a unique situation because there was no handbook,” Arians told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “[Colts General Manager] Ryan Grigson did an unbelievable job and the entire staff. There are times to let it go. Hopefully, after this week we can let some of it go but never let go of the triumph that [Colts coach] Chuck [Pagano] beat that Leukemia. Never lose sight of that.”

The Colts and Cardinals will kickoff at 4:05 pm EST Sunday.

“There will be a lot of hugging and high-fiving,” Arians said. “And then just like playing your brother in your backyard, I’m kicking your ass.”