After the “debacle game” last Sunday night at home against the Seattle Seahawks, which ended in a 6-6 overtime tie, the Arizona Cardinals travel to the east coast this weekend to face the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers sit at 1-5 and are very desperate for a win. For the 3-3-1 Cardinals, remembering what happened just months ago when they were manhandled by the Panthers for the NFC Conference Championship title and a visit to Super Bowl L, this matchup is looked at as more than just a win. It’s about redemption.
Arizona Cardinals Week Eight Keys To Victory
“This game is so important to the season,” said quarterback Carson Palmer. “That’s my focus.”
Setting The Table
The Cardinals had at least a few days in between games to recover and prepare themselves for Sunday. The Panthers have lost five games already this season, but their poor record does not reflect the proficiency of their team. Even with the better record, this won’t be an easy task for the Cardinals.
The Panthers are coming off their bye week. Running back Jonathan Stewart returned to the team last week after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Quarterback Cam Newton (concussion) made his injury return two weekends ago when the team was beat 41-38 by the New Orleans Saints. After enjoying a week off with extended rest, Newton, Stewart and the rest of the Panthers squad should be rejuvenated and well prepared to face the visiting Cardinals.
Impacted by injuries, especially to the receiving core, the Cardinals will be without some very vital players for this upcoming match-up. No word yet whether wide receivers John Brown (sickle cell) or Michael Floyd (hamstring) will play. Brown did show some promise with limited practice throughout the week. Cornerbacks Marcus Cooper (foot) and Justin Bethel (foot) were also limited at practice. Wide receiver Jaron Brown has been placed on IR and will be missed the remainder of the season. To assist in filling open spots, the Cardinals have re-signed wide receiver Chris Hubert to the practice squad.
Not only are the Cardinals on the road, but this will also be an early game on the Sunday NFL lineup. Whether or not this makes a difference to the team’s performance has yet to be determined, but west coast teams can struggle with one o’clock kickoffs on the east coast. Game time is 10am MST on FOX.
“We’re in no position to look at someone else’s record and say ‘What’s wrong with them?’” said wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “There are a lot of holes in our boat that we need to make sure we are plugging.”
KEYS TO THE GAME
The Running Game
Without question, running back David Johnson is the offense for the Cardinals. Already, after seven games, Johnson has accumulated 681 yards on the ground, 323 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Johnson’s multi-assortment of skills will be the difference-maker against the Panthers. The Cardinals must get Johnson involved early and often.
The Passing Game
Wide receiver J.J. Nelson is being called out in this matchup. Now in his second year with the Cardinals, and with such a depleted roster, it is his time to step up and shine. Palmer will need all the help he can get against the Panthers very valid defense. The young receivers on this team need to run their proper routes, find ways to shake off the defensive pressure, and get themselves open.
The Defense
The Cardinals have one of the top defenses in the league. The team has not allowed a touchdown to an opponent in the last 11 quarters (nearly three straight games). Holding Stewart to under a hundred yards is vital to gaining this much needed victory. Also, Newton is another one of those quarterbacks who likes to run. The defense needs to keep this in mind when they start swarming like rabid dogs into the meaty pocket.
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