{"id":7919,"date":"2016-12-10T15:11:39","date_gmt":"2016-12-10T20:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=7919"},"modified":"2021-05-30T15:25:30","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T19:25:30","slug":"arizona-cardinals-week-14-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/12\/10\/arizona-cardinals-week-14-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Cardinals Week 14 Keys To Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Arizona Cardinals<\/strong> looked very good last Sunday when they defeated the Washington Redskins<\/strong> 31-23 in front of a packed-house at University of Phoenix Stadium<\/strong>. After two dreadful losses in a row, the victory was not only a relief, but the buzz created has Cardinals fans believing again. Is there still hope? The Cardinals are 5-6-1. With four games remaining, finishing the season with a winning record is very possible. Of course, the team has to take it\u00a0one game at a time. The Cardinals carry their winning \u201cbuzz\u201d on the road this week for Sunday\u2019s match-up in sunny Florida when they face the Miami Dolphins<\/strong>. Game time is 11 a.m. MST, on FOX<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s more than hope, I think they\u2019re going to be a playoff team,\u201d said Ron Jaworski<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0ESPN<\/strong> football analyst. \u201cI believe the Cardinals will be a playoff team. (Finishing) 9-6-1 will get them in the playoffs. I think they can win their next four games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals Week 14 Keys To Victory<\/h1>\n

Before the Cardinals can consider a playoff berth, or even finishing the season with a winning record, they have to beat the Dolphins. Of course, this won\u2019t be such a guaranteed task. Coming off their worst loss of the season, a 38-6 beat-down by the Baltimore Ravens<\/strong>, the Dolphins (7-5) will be looking for redemption. The concern is whether or not the Cardinals will let them have it.<\/p>\n

Comparing the numbers, even though the Dolphins hold the better season record, the Cardinals are clearly the better team. Some view the Dolphins as the most overrated 7-5 team in the NFL<\/strong>. The Cardinals cannot squander this \u201cmust-win\u201d opportunity. Below are the three main ingredients to the recipe of sweet success.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this team, top to bottom, is probably better than we were,\u201d Kurt Warner<\/strong><\/a>, former NFL quarterback,\u00a0said about this year\u2019s Cardinals. \u201cI think the difference for me, is that (2008) team had a bunch of game-changing type players. We might not have had the talent across the board, but we had big-time playmakers that stepped up at critical times. And when you talk about us getting hot, that\u2019s what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Running Game<\/h3>\n

Running back David Johnson<\/strong><\/a> was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week<\/strong> for his efforts against the Redskins last Sunday. It’s the second time he\u2019s earned the award this season. So far, Johnson has amassed 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Combined with his 64 receptions for 704 yards and four receiving touchdowns, he has 1,709 utility yards and, drum roll please\u202615 touchdowns overall.<\/p>\n

Johnson is the most valuable player for the Cardinals. He could very well be the most valuable player of the league. He is also quarterback Carson Palmer<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s favorite target. Without Johnson\u2019s presence against the Dolphins (or against any team, for that matter), the Cardinals probably don\u2019t stand a chance. Coach Bruce Arians<\/strong>\u00a0must utilize Johnson and his rare abilities in Sunday\u2019s match up.<\/p>\n

The Defense<\/h3>\n

It seems the Cardinals have been relying on a more \u201cbend but don\u2019t break\u201d style of defense, as of late. Opponent offenses have been able to gain chunk yardage down the field, but the Cardinals continue to remain stout at the goal line and are only allowing field goals. This technique may be effective, but it could come with consequences.<\/p>\n

Last week against the Redskins, cornerback Patrick Peterson<\/strong><\/a> secured the victory for the Cardinals with his walk-off interception, but had he missed, the story-line could have been very different. The Cardinals need to get back to swarming the football and rushing the passer. Defensive pressure wins games.<\/p>\n

Going For The Gold<\/h3>\n

\u201cNo risk it, no biscuit.\u201d This quote that has been the philosophy of Coach Arians for many years and one that seemed to be the actual \u201cmojo\u201d of the Cardinals last season. The head coach implemented the same kind of philosophy into this season\u2019s format, but the results for the team just haven\u2019t been the same.<\/p>\n

Chunk plays are game-changers in tight match ups. And they\u2019re exciting to watch. When Palmer threw that 42-yard pass to wide receiver J. J. Nelson<\/strong><\/a> late in the fourth quarter against the Redskins, it energized the team.\u00a0Plays like these will put the nail in the coffin\u00a0for the Dolphins and any chances they may have of winning the game. If they continue to stay focused, the Cardinals should be able to secure a win.<\/p>\n

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