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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

6 burning questions for the Cardinals in home finale against the Browns

The Arizona Cardinals enter their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with several questions. What are the biggest questions?

Will Baker or Kyler get bragging rights?

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray were teammates at Oklahoma. Both won the Heisman Trophy. Both were No. 1 picks in the draft. They both have had this date on the calendar circled for a while. Mayfield said bragging rights are on the line. Which one will outshine the other, or will both shine in the matchup?

Can the Cardinals defense slow the Browns?

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns running back Nick Chubb leads the NFL in rushing. Receiver Jarvis Landry has 995 receiving yards. Odell Beckham Jr. has 844. The Cardinals have the worst pass defense in the league. Can they stop a talented Browns offense or will Baker Mayfield be the latest quarterback to post a 100-plus passer rating?

Can Steve Wilks’ defense stop the Cardinals’ running game?

 Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns have one of the worst run defenses in the league under defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. When he was head coach of the Cardinals in 2018, Arizona had the worst run defense in the league. Arizona has been most successful when they have been able to mix in the run effectively. Will Kenyan Drake, David Johnson, Chase Edmonds and Kyler Murray be able to move the ball on the ground?

How will Haason Reddick look at OLB with extended playing time?

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Reddick might not start but will get plenty of snaps on defense as a pass rusher at outside linebacker, especially after the release of Terrell Suggs. He has failed as an inside linebacker. Will he show promise against a Browns team that has had poor tackle play?

Is this Larry Fitzgerald’s final home game?

 (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Fitzgerald has not said whether he will play in 2020 or retire. He has said he doesn’t know. However, this quite possibly is his final game at State Farm Stadium. Have we seen the end?

Can the Cardinals win a game?

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals have lost six games in a row. They have to play the Seahawks and Rams on the road to close the season out. This game is winnable. They have only won once this season at home and twice in the last two years. Can they end the losing streak and send fans home happy in the last home game of the decade?

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

Ep. 250:

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