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Eagle eye view on the enemy: Cardinals Defense

8 October 2017 Opinion

The 2-2 Arizona Cardinals are traveling across the country to play in an early Sunday game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Cardinals arrived in town late Friday night and still may be adjusting to eastern time from mountain time.

Eagles defense needs to take advantage of the fact that two of the Cardinals starting OL on the left side of the ball are out officially today.

But let’s talk about the problem this team really poses: Their defense can be very legit.

INJURIES

The injuries to this team are very significant but they aren’t missing many players on defense. Cardinals recently placed Markus Golden, the team’s sack leader from last season on IR.  DE Robert Nkemdiche, the team’s first round pick from the 2016 draft, has been ruled out several weeks already. Otherwise they are at full strength.

SECONDARY

Wentz will have to be smart with the ball out there Sunday. The secondary for Cardinals is no laughing matter. Their weakness is right CB Justin Bethel. He will likely be matched up against Torrey Smith for the majority of the game as I suspect Patrick Peterson to follow Alshon Jeffery around the field. As Michael Kist explains it so simply… this should be the Eagles offensive plan in the receiving game:

DEFENSIVE FRONT

The Cardinals run defense has proven to be strong even versus tough competition like the Cowboys OL and Zeke in week 3. I don’t think the Cardinals will be able to shut down the Eagles run game today though. Cardinals have been successful at stopping the run game because of the strength they have at the middle of their defense. However, they have very little depth there. I suspect Eagles to establish the run and wear them down.

OVERVIEW

Eagles have the advantage of playing Cardinals in Philadelphia. The Cardinals are missing their star running back David Johnson and it has proven to be a significant issue in their ability to keep the offense on the field. Although the defense is going to cause issues for Wentz, I believe he will have a lot of time to make good decisions in the receiving game and will be able to move the ball between the tackles. There are weaknesses the Eagles need to expose on this team and if they do, they will win.

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