The Arizona Cardinals have not won a game yet this season but there is optimism. They ended Week 1 with a tie and only lost by six on the road to the Baltimore Ravens, who look like they could be a force to deal with in the AFC.
Kyler Murray looks like he could be the real deal and Larry Fitzgerald is putting up big numbers.
However, three things are major concerns as the season progresses. They hopefully will improve as the season progresses.
Guarding opposing tight ends
It feels like this has been a problem for years but it has been particularly evident in two games. They have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends in two games and at least 100 receiving yards to one each week. It doesn’t get any easier with the Carolina Panthers’ Greg Olsen coming to town this week.
Red-zone efficiency
The Cardinals have been able to move the ball but have not been able to find the end zone. This is an issue dating to the preseason. The starters never scored a touchdown. Since the season began, they have scored two touchdowns in eight trips to the red zone. Between play selection, penalties and execution, this might be the reason why the Cardinals are 0-1-1 and not 2-0 like the rest of the NFC West.
Offensive balance
Through two games, the Cardinals have had 102 pass plays and only 34 run plays, and even some of those runs have begun as pass plays that Kyler Murray scrambled on. They are passing on 75 percent of their plays. Part of that is due to circumstance but they can’t keep up that pace and be successful. Most believed they would be a pass-heavy offense, but this is to the extreme.
David Johnson needs to be used more and the Cardinals have to run more early effectively so things do not get so unbalanced.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
