The tension level was set on high alert at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday Night. The Arizona Cardinals took on the New York Jets in a match-up best described as relentless desperation. Both teams had struggled through the first half of the regular season and both teams very desperate for a victory. It was a game filled with action-packed performances, relentless defense, and a whole lot of yellow flags. For the most part, not only was the best team able to claim victory, they were able to clean house.
Arizona Cardinals Week Six Takeaways
It’s no surprise that coach Bruce Arians and Jets coach Todd Bowles are long time friends. They have a special bond that has lasted over thirty years. On Monday night, both coaches were aware when they brought their teams out on the field, this wasn’t a friendly game of poker for fun money. This game was for real and one of them was going to lose. Hopefully coach Bowles doesn’t lose his job over the Jets’ loss. But if he does, coach Arians most likely has an open position for him right back here in Arizona.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Coach Bruce Arians said, after the game. “It’s not an enjoyable win to me. But the team is happy.”
Passing Game Production
Quarterback Carson Palmer returned from the league’s concussion protocol and was ready to take the Cardinals to victory. With Palmer at the helm, fans felt more assured in their team (at least a little) than they would with backup Drew Stanton. Nothing against Stanton; they don’t call him “Mr. Reliable” for nothing. Palmer finished the night 23-of-34 for 214 yards, with one touchdown and zero interceptions.
Wide-receiver Larry Fitzgerald played more of a decoy role for the team, but was still able to corral six catches of his own throughout the game for 49 yards. Fitzgerald’s arduous task of keeping Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis at bay also opened up opportunities for other receivers. Wide receiver Michael Floyd secured his third touchdown pass of the season. Also contributing greatly were wide receivers John Brown and J. J. Nelson.
The clever balance of the run game mixed in with the passing game and an ever swarming defense were the main ingredients to this victory for the Cardinals. The Cardinals are known for light running and a lot of Hail Mary’s. It was the type of game that Jets coach Bowles had planned for all week. Under coach Arians, the Cardinals have never been a run-first kind of team. But against the Jets, the Cardinals chose to play a very different kind of game.
Did Someone Say MVP of the Year?
Running back David Johnson could become perhaps the greatest running back in NFL history. Only time will dictate the outcome, but there has never been a running back in the league that can run and catch as well as Johnson. Never.
Against the Jets supposed stout frontline, Johnson ran 22 times for 111 yards and count them, one…two…three touchdowns. Johnson also caught three passes for 27 yards. Through six games Johnson has accumulated 568 yards on the ground for eight touchdowns, with 20 receptions for 265 yards.
Upcoming
This is a bit of a short week for the Cardinals since they played a game on Monday night. The victory against the Jets is bittersweet at best. Against a stronger opponent, maybe the short-lived win would feel a little better. Winning two games in a row is a bonus, but the team must not relent. Now 3-3 for the season, the Cardinals will be home again on Sunday night when they face their NFC West rivals, the 4-1 Seattle Seahawks on NBC.
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