1 – Arizona Cardinals, 4-2 (Last Week: 1)
Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks with quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Like a lot of teams right now, the Arizona Cardinals are very hard to predict. In their four wins, they’ve looked like world beaters, scoring points at will and dominating opponents. In their two losses, they’ve been upended by two vastly inferior quarterbacks in Nick Foles andLandry Jones.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers this past week, Arizona allowed Landry Jones to complete eight passes in 12 attempts for 168 yards, including two touchdowns (one worth 88 yards) toMartavis Bryantin his first action as a passer in his three years in the league. Jones was playing in place ofMichael Vick, who was playing in place ofBen Roethlisberger.
Carson Palmerthrew for a lot of yards, 421 to be exact, but threw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter in the end zone when the Cardinals had a chance to take a lead. It was one of three turnovers for the Cardinals. Pittsburgh played a turnover-free game, and a team isn’t going to win many games with a -3 turnover differential.
Cardinals’ receiverJohn Brownhad a huge day, catching 10 passes from Palmer for 196 yards, but didn’t find the endzone against Pittsburgh.
The offensive numbers point to a Cardinals’ win, as they outgained Pittsburgh 469 yards to 310, and 21 first downs to 14. It didn’t work out that way, as the turnovers would doom the Cardinals, sending them to their second loss in three weeks.
The Cardinals, and Palmer, will have a great chance to bounce back against the Ravens and their morbidly depleted secondary. With the rest of the teams in the division under .500, the Cardinals have a chance to put some space between themselves and the rest. They’ll need to take advantage of the opportunity.
Next: 49ers' Issues Start at the Top
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