Arizona Cardinals 2012: 5 Takeaways from Week 3 Win over Eagles

The Arizona Cardinals were able to crush the Philadelphia Eagles and dominate them in every aspect of the game.  There was hardly anything not to like for Cardinals fans in this Week 3 match up.  

With a bone-crushing defense and an improving offense, the Cardinals are shaping up to be a top contender in the league.

Here are some takeaways from the Cardinals 27-6 win over the Eagles.  (All stats are from ESPN.)

Kevin Kolb Will Turn out to Be Worth His Contract

Current Cardinal and former Eagle, Kevin Kolb showed significant improvement in the Cardinals win over the Eagles. 

Kolb is quietly improving, avoiding costly turnovers, and playing well in clutch situations.  He still hasn’t thrown an interception and he threw for 222 yards and two TDs. 

It should be noted that good fortune plays into these stats as a missed interception in the end zone is what turned into the touchdown pass to rookie Michael Floyd at the end of the first quarter.  Regardless of how it happened, the touchdown pass is now in the record books—as is the Cardinals win over the Eagles. 

Offensively, the Cardinals looked the best that they have all season in this game.  The run game still struggled, but Larry Fitzgerald helped open up the field for his fellow receivers.

The passing game found success with Kolb leading the way.  Despite several misfires early in the game, Kolb settled down and was able to find the end zone twice on Sunday, and he didn't turn the ball over.

Larry Fitzgerald Is the Ultimate Teammate

Whether he’s receiving, blocking, or being an emotional leader, one thing is well known throughout the league.: Fitzgerald is the key to the Cardinals' entire offense.

After battling through suffocating double-teams and defensive schemes drawn up specifically to stop him, Fitzgerald was finally able to get open against Philadelphia, and it completely changed the Cardinals offense. 

Deep routes became open for the other receivers whenever Fitzgerald ran underneath crossing routes and the short routes were available when he went deep.  He finished the game with nine receptions for 114 yards and one beautiful touchdown. 

The x-factor Fitzgerald brings to the Cardinals offense is not his ability to draw double-coverage and present opportunities for his fellow wideouts—it’s his run-blocking. 

While the casual football fan doesn’t think much of blocking regardless of position, Fitzgerald’s run-blocking sprung Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams for extra yardage whenever the play bounced outside toward Fitzgerald. 

With an offensive line weak at run-blocking, it is absolutely vital that—when the runs begin bouncing outside—there is an expert blocker there to help them out. 

The Defense Is the Real Deal

The Arizona defense was all over Michael Vick early.

Then it got in his head and stayed there until the end of the game. 

This was most apparent on the Eagles last offensive snap of the game when it was 4th-and-10.  All three backers showed blitz, crept toward the line, and as soon as the ball was snapped Michael Vick hastily threw the ball at the feet of DeSean Jackson, more concerned with getting rid of the ball than making a completion. 

The pressure the Cardinals were able to bring with a five-man rush was tremendous, unstoppable.  This defense is the best in the league and if any opponents don’t believe it, maybe a bone-crushing hit from Kerry Rhodes will convince them. 

Ray Horton has done an excellent job in creating shut-down schemes, and the Cardinals have the talent to execute them.

The Offensive Line Is the Cards' Worst Enemy

Kevin Kolb has done a great job at working with the line, but Arizona's running game leaves something to be desired.

The Cardinals averaged a measly 2.9 yards per carry and only seemed to be able to break off longer runs when they ran sweeps or bounced the run outside.  The Cardinals run-blocking is pathetic, and it would not be an overstatement to say that Larry Fitzgerald is the best blocker on the team.  

The offensive line certainly has improved its pass-blocking but the run-blocking has been dismal all season.  Without a running game, play-action is ineffective and it puts a huge amount of pressure on Kevin Kolb and his receivers to be the sole producer on offense.

Young Talent Is Showing Huge Potential

Coming off of a heartbreaking, late-game fumble against the Patriots, Ryan Williams was able to bounce back with 6.4 yards a carry against the Eagles run defense.  

He could get a larger role in the future games with Beanie Wells sitting out the end of the game with a toe injury.

Michael Floyd scored an eight-yard touchdown on a near-interception in the first quarter for his only catch.  He hasn't been very productive this season but he seems to be getting more reps on offense and had a red-zone target today. He may begin to become a bigger part of the offense as the season progresses.

Patrick Peterson, in his sophomore season, was able to hold the explosive DeSean Jackson to three receptions for 43 yards.  Covering Jackson is a challenge for any corner in the league and Peterson handled it expertly.  His skills as a cornerback have improved tremendously and the Cardinals secondary is improving every game.  

Both of these second-year players are improving at a tremendous rate and adding even more explosiveness and potential to a loaded Cardinals team.  

With strong veteran leadership in Larry Fitzgerald—a perfect role model for any young player—these young prospects have the necessary guidance to help maximize their talent.