Having predicted the Cards will be playoff contenders, it’s important to realize what it would take to get there. One of the surprisingly hard things to do in the NFL is win all the games you’re supposed to win. If the Cards can do that and grab a couple of tossup games, they’re in.
The Pats spent a lot of dollars in free agency. One of the major issues they’ll face is trying to integrate all the new players in with the holdovers. There’s no question they have better personnel but maximizing it is a huge challenge. In the NFL it usually takes 4 season games to coordinated multiple additions.
It’s clear the Cards start with a couple of those “supposed to win” games. New Orleans is struggling to even field a competitive team. Their offensive line is in near total disarray. Their starting QB was chosen based on the lesser of two evils, the previous QB having selected retirement over rehab. The defense is worried about potential cuts to Social Security.
This game should be tailor-made for the rebuilt Cardinal pass rush, though the Saints have a decent receiving corps. It will be up to that rush to make certain those receivers don’t keep the Saints in the game. The Saints have a decent multi-facet weapon in Kamara, but he’s aging. The Cards’ new Dline & LBs will play the major role in containing him and should be up to the task.
On defense the Saints likely will be vulnerable to the run. This is aggravated by the Cards featuring a run first offense. The Cards must control time of possession, making certain the defense stays fresh. The Cards DTs will need to rest more than normal, though their rotation should be adequate. It’s noteworthy that the Saints also struggled to apply pressure on the passer, though they’ve acquired reinforcements. Murray should be able to punch holes as the defense shifts personnel to try to shore up against the run defense.
There is no excuse to lose this game if the Cards are really going to contend.
Game 2 features the New England Patriots. The Pats are a better team than the Saints. About all you need to say about their offense is the QB corps is so weak they claimed a New York Giants QB cut.
The defense ranked poorly last season, but should be better with their additions. Their pass rush requires less coordination, so it may be a good test for the Cards’ offensive line. Murray will have to show poise and judgment. It could be a revenge game if Brissett gets to play. Look for him on sneaks. The Pats hope to be tougher on the Dline if Barmore is ready to play. They’re not outstanding, but they could be at least competent. This will also be an interesting test if the Oline is solid. Nonetheless the Cards must avoid turnovers and generate enough decent drives to put points on the board. Points may not come easy, but a good offense will score a sufficient amount of points.
On defense the Cards’ pass rush, hopefully, will run Maye out of the stadium. If they don’t get cute and try to holdback some of their blitzes and stunts, the Cards pass rush should be dominant. The Pats have reinforced their Oline, but coordination should be lacking. They’ve also added Diggs to their WR group, but the Cards must not give Maye time to find him. The Cards also need to watch their rush lanes as Maye loves to run.
I think it’s fortunate the Cards catch the Pats early. Later in the season I expect them to be much tougher. It will, however, be critical not to take this team for granted. The Cards, in recent years, have started slowly against teams they should control. If they make that mistake, this could be a tough game. Truly good teams don’t lose games like this. This will tell all of us a great deal about the character of this team.
The Pats spent a lot of dollars in free agency. One of the major issues they’ll face is trying to integrate all the new players in with the holdovers. There’s no question they have better personnel but maximizing it is a huge challenge. In the NFL it usually takes 4 season games to coordinated multiple additions.
It’s clear the Cards start with a couple of those “supposed to win” games. New Orleans is struggling to even field a competitive team. Their offensive line is in near total disarray. Their starting QB was chosen based on the lesser of two evils, the previous QB having selected retirement over rehab. The defense is worried about potential cuts to Social Security.
This game should be tailor-made for the rebuilt Cardinal pass rush, though the Saints have a decent receiving corps. It will be up to that rush to make certain those receivers don’t keep the Saints in the game. The Saints have a decent multi-facet weapon in Kamara, but he’s aging. The Cards’ new Dline & LBs will play the major role in containing him and should be up to the task.
On defense the Saints likely will be vulnerable to the run. This is aggravated by the Cards featuring a run first offense. The Cards must control time of possession, making certain the defense stays fresh. The Cards DTs will need to rest more than normal, though their rotation should be adequate. It’s noteworthy that the Saints also struggled to apply pressure on the passer, though they’ve acquired reinforcements. Murray should be able to punch holes as the defense shifts personnel to try to shore up against the run defense.
There is no excuse to lose this game if the Cards are really going to contend.
Game 2 features the New England Patriots. The Pats are a better team than the Saints. About all you need to say about their offense is the QB corps is so weak they claimed a New York Giants QB cut.
The defense ranked poorly last season, but should be better with their additions. Their pass rush requires less coordination, so it may be a good test for the Cards’ offensive line. Murray will have to show poise and judgment. It could be a revenge game if Brissett gets to play. Look for him on sneaks. The Pats hope to be tougher on the Dline if Barmore is ready to play. They’re not outstanding, but they could be at least competent. This will also be an interesting test if the Oline is solid. Nonetheless the Cards must avoid turnovers and generate enough decent drives to put points on the board. Points may not come easy, but a good offense will score a sufficient amount of points.
On defense the Cards’ pass rush, hopefully, will run Maye out of the stadium. If they don’t get cute and try to holdback some of their blitzes and stunts, the Cards pass rush should be dominant. The Pats have reinforced their Oline, but coordination should be lacking. They’ve also added Diggs to their WR group, but the Cards must not give Maye time to find him. The Cards also need to watch their rush lanes as Maye loves to run.
I think it’s fortunate the Cards catch the Pats early. Later in the season I expect them to be much tougher. It will, however, be critical not to take this team for granted. The Cards, in recent years, have started slowly against teams they should control. If they make that mistake, this could be a tough game. Truly good teams don’t lose games like this. This will tell all of us a great deal about the character of this team.
