The Arizona Cardinals are now 3-3-1 after a 27-21 road victory over the New York Giants. They have matched their win total from 2018 in only seven games and have won three games in a row for the first time since 2015.
What did we learn in the win?
David Johnson was available but not really
Johnson was officially questionable for the game with an ankle injury. He started the game and carried the ball once for two yards. However, he did not play after that. While all reports said he was expected to play, Kliff Kingsbury indicated after the game that this was the plan the whole time. Johnson would be used on an emergency basis. Backup running back Chase Edmonds had 27 carries.
The pass rush arrived
The Cardinals had not been getting much pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That changed against the Giants. They finished with eight sacks and 12 hits on Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones. Chandler Jones got him four times. Jones fumbled three times and was picked off once.
Best defensive performance of the year
The Cardinals had played poorly defensively most of the season. They had their best game by far on Sunday. Here are some of the highlights:
- They allowed a season-low 14 points.
- They allowed a season-low 263 total yards.
- They allowed a season-low 156 net passing yards.
- They had a season-high eight sacks.
- They had their first interception of the season.
- They forced a season-high three turnovers.
- They allowed Saquon Barkley to rush for only 72 yards.
- The 107 rushing yards allowed is the second-lowest total they have given up all season.
Patrick Peterson’s presence was felt
Peterson did not get an interception or even break up a pass, but he made plays. He finished with seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
More importantly, the pass defense was vastly improved. The Cardinals had one of the worst pass defenses in the league without Peterson, who was suspended for the first six games. With Peterson, they gave up only 156 net passing yards and had eight sacks.
Chase Edmonds broke out
Edmonds proved he could be more than just a change-of-pace back. He ran the ball 27 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 24 yards. In all, he finished with 150 yards from scrimmage. It was very much like what David Johnson can get when he is healthy.
Edmonds became only the sixth player in NFL history to have three touchdown runs of at least 20 yards. All four of his rushing scores this season have been at least 20 yards.
They had issues on special teams
The Cardinals allowed a punt to be blocked, which was recovered for a touchdown. They had a penalty on a field goal try that pushed them out of range. Andy Lee twice failed to put a punt where he wanted, once punting 38 yards for a touchback, a net of only 18 yards, and then had a 29-yarder. His net average was only 26.4 yards.
Penalties were a problem
The Cardinals were flagged 10 times for 85 yards. That can’t happen. One penalty took away a potential field goal. Two penalties on their third drive forced them to have to kick a field goal.
The Cardinals aren’t a bad team
They have now matched their 2018 win total. They have won three in a row. Bad teams do not win three games in a row, including two on the road. The team has made the necessary progress.
Their three wins came against struggling teams, but bad teams find a way to lose at least one of those games.
This doesn’t mean the Cardinals are a good team yet, but it shows they have moved on from the ineptitude of last season.
By the way, they have not lost in October.
Winning with a running game, defense
The Cardinals wanted to win with a strong running game and a dominant defense in 2018. They never achieved that, as they had the league’s worst rushing attack and one of the worst defenses.
Under Kliff Kingsbury, there has been the promise of a wide-open passing attack.
However, to beat the Giants, they only attempted four passes in the second half. They relied on the running game and a defense that had eight sacks and forced three turnovers.
Quarterback Kyler Murray only had 104 passing yards on 14-of-21 passing. He did not have a touchdown pass or a turnover.
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