The Arizona Cardinals enter the final stretch of the season with five games in December. Kliff Kingsbury has declared the final stretch is a new season. They want to improve and be better so they can finish the season strong.
The offense is in good shape. The running game has been effective and quarterback Kyler Murray has been very good. Even the run defense has improved over the season.
But what are the specific areas where the Cardinals need to see improvement between now and the end of the season?
Cutting down on penalties
According to FootballDB.com, the Cardinals are tied with the Cleveland Browns for the most penalties in the NFL with 94. That is an average of nearly nine per game.
Penalties are the result of mental mistakes and poor technique. This has to get better. It gives away yardage.
Improve in the red zone
The Cardinals are 29th in scoring touchdowns in the red zone, doing so 36.87% of the time. Just five spots above them, the rate is 50%. If they can get there, they will be able to build leads that they can hold.
Improve third-down defense
Among the problems on defense, the greatest one is the Cardinals’ inability to get off the field on third down. They have the third-worst third-down percentage on defense, allowing opponents to convert 46% of the time. 17 of the 32 teams in the league are below 40%. If they can get down to 40 or below over the last few games, the results will be shocking.
Improve the pass defense
The Cardinals are atrocious against the pass. They allow a league-most 297.5 yards per game. They have surrendered a league-high 29 touchdown passes. Their passer rating allowed is 113.0, the highest in the league.
The 11th-worst team against the pass is the Miami Dolphins, who give up 252.7 yards per game. Can the Cardinals cut their final five-game average down by 40 yards? If so, they might be able to get a stop or two.
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