Sat Oct 24, 2009
Last week, the Cardinals played one of the most dominating games in their Arizona history. Can they repeat that performance?
I think they can, and here is why.
Much was made of Drew Brees and the Saints shredding the New York Giants defense, which came into the game ranked No. 1 versus the pass and overall. There is no doubt the Saints opened some eyes with their level of play, as Brees picked apart a Giants secondary that was out of position and late to swarm all game long.
Yet, an even more pronounced truth was unveiled—Many of the Giants' previous opponents were offensively challenged. Maybe their ranking was misleading?
Washington, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Oakland don't exactly strike fear into opposing defenses. Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston however, do.
After a spotty start to the season, the Cardinals appear to have their swagger back. The offensive line has rebounded nicely from an embarrassing manhandling by the Colts, putting together
two straight solid efforts. While Arizona did allow two sacks to the Seahawks, this was a Seattle team that had just handed David Garrard five the week before.
When Warner has time to throw, he can slice and dice with the best. Fitzgerald seems to be getting warmed up, with a career-tying 13 receptions and league lead-tying fifth TD last week.
While fellow Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin is iffy for the Giants game with a high ankle sprain, Steve Breaston continues to improve. In the Seattle game, he did his best Fitzgerald impersonation on an acrobatic catch in the end zone.
Last week I wondered if the real Arizona Cardinals defense could rise up and play to their potential, and and they did so in dramatic fashion. In contrast to the Giants, their Achilles' heel had been their last-ranked pass defense. You couldn't have convinced Matt Hasselbeck of that, as he only managed 112 yards through the air and suffered five sacks.
Maybe their ranking was misleading?
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