{"id":3397,"date":"2016-10-05T17:53:57","date_gmt":"2016-10-05T21:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=3397"},"modified":"2016-10-06T01:38:27","modified_gmt":"2016-10-06T05:38:27","slug":"arizona-cardinals-week-five-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/10\/05\/arizona-cardinals-week-five-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Cardinals Week Five Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

After\u00a0a humiliating 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams<\/strong>, Arizona Cardinals<\/strong> fans left University of Phoenix Stadium<\/strong> on Sunday feeling about as deflated as a Tom Brady<\/strong><\/a> football. Once again they were made to question their own self worth as they watched the Red Birds succumb to an even deeper level of low. What is going on with\u00a0this team? Now at 1-3 for the season, the Cardinals are all alone at the bottom of the NFC West<\/strong>. To make matters worse, they must prepare quickly this week before they go back on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers<\/strong> on Thurdsday.<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals Week Five Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

\u201cThe sky is not falling for us,\u201d said head coach Bruce Arians<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m sure it is for a bunch of fans. I\u2019m disappointed to say that, but we\u2019ve got another game Thursday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, last year the Rams stunk.\u00a0Even though\u00a0the team was rooted out of St. Louis<\/strong> this year and then replanted in L.A., it is still the same team. It\u2019s the same head coach Jeff Fisher<\/strong><\/a> running the squad and for the most part, it\u2019s the same team nucleus out on the field.<\/p>\n

The 7-9 Rams finished third in the NFC West last year and were awarded their customary prize in first-round draft pick, quarterback Jared Goff<\/strong><\/a>. Goff, who hasn\u2019t played at all this regular season, wasn\u2019t in the game on Sunday. No, it was game manager (and that is it) quarterback Case Keenum<\/strong><\/a>. Once again, the Cardinals had a victory in their grasp and they let it slip away.<\/p>\n

Cardinals fans left the stadium bewildered and angry. Who is to blame for this? What is wrong with\u00a0this team? Answers just couldn\u2019t come soon enough and, unfortunately with such a short week to prepare, the questions will just have to wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll say this, I never envisioned this type of start,\u201d said Cardinals G.M. Steve Keim<\/strong>. \u201cI don\u2019t know that anybody-fans or anybody in the organization-would have envisioned this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Games, One Week<\/h3>\n

Keep your heads up Cards Fans. The season is still young and there\u2019s still a whole lot of football left to enjoy. Game five is Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, at Levi\u2019s Stadium<\/strong> in Santa Clara, California. Game time is 8:25pm ET on CBS.<\/p>\n

If there is one team that the Cardinals can surely set there sights on for a victory, it has to be the 1-3 49ers. Coach Chip Kelly<\/strong><\/a> is a college coach trying to implement a high-octane college-level offense to an over-rated, under-achieving NFL team. The 49ers are a mess. Heck, Blaine Gabbert<\/strong><\/a> is their starting quarterback, for goodness sake.<\/p>\n

Expect to see a lot of three-and-outs by the 49ers offense and a tired, worn out defense towards the end of the game. For the Cardinals, this should be a victory served warm on a plate.<\/p>\n

Pre-Game Notables<\/h3>\n

Quarterback Carson Palmer<\/strong><\/a> sustained a head injury late in the game on Sunday against the Rams and was relieved by back-up Drew Stanton<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0Palmer has been ruled out for Week Five, and so\u00a0Stanton will take the helm for this match-up.<\/p>\n

Additionally, running back Chris Johnson<\/strong><\/a> (groin) and safety Tyvon Branch<\/strong><\/a> (groin) have been placed on injured reserve.<\/p>\n

Promoted from the practice squad to the team bench\u00a0are wide receiver Brittan Golden<\/strong><\/a> and quarterback Zak Dysert<\/strong><\/a>. Re-signed to the Cardinals is running back Kerwynn Williams<\/strong><\/a> (this kid can run).<\/p>\n

KEYS TO THE GAME<\/h3>\n

#1) The Backfield<\/h3>\n

For the most part, the Cardinals defense has been stout against the run. Last week, the Rams premier running back Todd Gurley<\/strong><\/a> was held to a meager 33 rushing yards on 19 carries. It has been the production of the backfield that has caused the most grief.\u00a0Defensive backs\u00a0Tyrann Mathieu<\/strong><\/a> (dubbed the \u201cswiss army knife of the team\u201d) and\u00a0Patrick Peterson<\/strong><\/a> need to step up their game against the 49ers. It doesn\u2019t appear that Peterson has found his groove yet this season, so maybe Thursday\u2019s game will be his break-out party.<\/p>\n

#2) Protect the Quarterback<\/h3>\n

With\u00a0Drew Stanton as the starter on Thursday, he will need all the protection he can get. The Cardinals can\u2019t underestimate the defense of the 49ers. Though the 49ers share the same 1-3 record as the Cards, the season is too young to know for sure what they can bring to the table.<\/p>\n

#3) David Johnson<\/h3>\n

David Johnson<\/strong><\/a> is a determined man on a mission. In four games, Johnson has accumulated 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries. Last week against the Rams, he carried the ball 17 times for 83 yards. With Chris Johnson going down it means more responsibility for David. Let\u2019s just hope he can hold up through the season with the extra weight thrust on his shoulders.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n