Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants: Complete Week 2 Preview for Arizona
Week 2 of the 2014 NFL season is already upon us, and this week the New York Giants play host to your Arizona Cardinals.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning was the third-worst-rated signal-caller of Week 1, completing 18 of 33 passes (54.5 percent) for 163 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions and a poor 53.0 passer rating.
The average passer rating of the 32 starting quarterbacks for Week 1 was 90.7, so you know Manning had a bad day. Defenses typically start slow early in the season and progressively get better as the season matures.
But Giants new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said Thursday has confidence in Manning, as he told Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News:
"He is the perfect fit for this offense. He is very smart. I thought that if there was anything encouraging about what happened in the game [last Monday], it was the comfort level with his feet and the progress that he is making fundamentally.
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Though they were embarrassed in their Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Giants could be dangerous at home and are another good early-season test for Carson Palmer and Co.
Here is your complete Cardinals preview as they face the Giants.
Cardinals’ Week 1 Review
1 of 5Quarterback Carson Palmer and the Cardinals eked out a come-from-behind, 18-17 win after a sluggish start had some throwing things at their television sets.
Palmer was efficient for most of the game, but he stepped it up in the fourth quarter, going 8-of-12 passing (66.7 percent) for 85 yards and two touchdowns for a 126.7 passer rating. He was one of three quarterbacks during Week 1 to throw multiple fourth-quarter touchdowns, the others being Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and Josh McCown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Running back Andre Ellington’s foot was not an issue against the Chargers, as he carried the ball 13 times for 53 yards (4.1 yards per carry). He also caught five passes from Palmer for another 27 yards. The second-year back ran with power, showed the quickness and vision that helped him gain over 1,000 yards from scrimmage a year ago, and he did so with no visible signs of foot pain.
The Cardinals were solid on third downs, converting 46.2 percent of attempts. It’s only one game, but that’s a big improvement over last season, when they were one of the worst offenses at converting third downs.
On the other side of the ball, coordinator Todd Bowles’ Arizona defense was up to the task of stopping Ryan Mathews and the San Diego Chargers rushing attack. The Cardinals held San Diego to 2.2 yards per carry—the second-best average in the NFL for Week 1.
A common question throughout the game was something to the effect of “Karlos who?”
Free-agent signee Larry Foote, who has the daunting task of replacing inside linebacker Karlos Dansby after Dansby bolted for one final big free-agent contract, was the best defensive player on either roster Monday against the Chargers. He led all players with eight solo tackles and two tackles for a loss.
The only real touchdown drive allowed by Bowles’ defense came at the onset of the third quarter. Quarterback Philip Rivers led a seven-play, 80-yard march to start the second half.
San Diego’s other touchdown drive covered 29 yards following a turnover from Palmer and the offense.
It may have been ugly, but an ugly win is far better than an ugly loss. Arizona is 1-0 and has a good chance to up it to 2-0 if Palmer and the offense are as efficient as they were against the Chargers.
News and Notes
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Abraham Out
Linebacker John Abraham, who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol this offseason, has taken a leave of absence from the team. Head coach Bruce Arians relayed to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com Abraham’s thought process following Arizona’s win on Monday Night Football:
"When you get to that age, and for whatever reason, if that game and that atmosphere on Monday Night Football didn’t have you flying around or more, something is missing. That’s basically what he reflected to me. ‘There were times in that game I wasn’t in it, and that’s not fair to my teammates. I have to decide if this is something I really want to do.’
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Abraham left Monday’s game early with a concussion.
As a result of losing Abraham, the team this week re-signed outside linebacker Marcus Benard, who originally did not make the final cutdown to 53 players.
Palmer Not Throwing This Week
You’ll see the injury report on the next page, but it’s worth noting that Palmer hasn’t thrown a pass at practice this week.
It’s said to be a right shoulder issue, but Arians isn’t worried about his starting quarterback this week: “It’s been sore, but we’ve been down this road before. The best game he had last year, he didn’t practice all week...Sometimes, at his age, it’s good not to throw it (in practice).”
Should Palmer sit out, it’s also worth noting his backup, Drew Stanton, hasn’t thrown a pass in a real NFL game in nearly four years.
Rookie Kicker Learning from NFL Great
Undrafted Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro was fantastic in his NFL debut last week, connecting on 2-of-2 field goal attempts and booming all his kickoffs deep into the end zone. According to Bob McManaman of AZCentral.com, Catanzaro thanks legendary former NFL kicker Morten Andersen for his development as a kicker:
"I took pretty much everything he [taught] me and I’ve used it ever since. He’s been unbelievable. He’s such a great guy and he’s been such a great mentor… . I talk to him on a weekly basis. …
[The training] pretty much covers everything you could imagine. He taught me what I should be thinking about on the sideline when the team is driving down the field to something as simple as how many balls to hit into the net.
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All four of Catanzaro’s kickoffs last week resulted in touchbacks and averaged 9.3 yards deep in the end zone, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Day |
| Andre Ellington | RB | Foot | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
| Paul Fanaika | OG | Knee | LP | LP | FP | Probable |
| Rashad Johnson | FS | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
| Tyrann Mathieu | FS | Knee | FP | FP | FP | Probable |
| Alex Okafor | OLB | Thigh | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Carson Palmer | QB | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Frostee Rucker | DT | Calf | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| Dave Zastudil | P | Groin | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
*All injury statuses provided by AZCardinals.com
Ellington looked fine last Monday night, so the fact that he barely practiced this week is only a precaution to assure he does not suffer a setback with his foot. He will play Sunday, so he told Urban this week: "Sunday is game day so I'll be ready," Ellington said. "The adrenaline will be flowing. I'll be good to go."
That's good to know. (I apologize for the pitiful rhyme-job.)
Everyone listed as "probable" is likely a go. Guess what that means? It means we'll likely see safety Tyrann Mathieu for the first time since tearing his ACL late last season.
And again, though Palmer is officially listed as "questionable," he should play. Keeping him sidelined for most of practice, like Ellington, is simply to keep his injury from getting worse.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Michael Floyd vs. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Do you remember what happened the last time Floyd faced DRC in a game? It was 2012, the final year the Cardinals suffered under the watchful eye of former head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
Floyd was not targeted while DRC covered him. Rather, what Floyd did to DRC on a run play will forever be remembered by a few as hilarious and perfect. Floyd caught the then-Philadelphia Eagles cornerback off guard on a run, knocking him off his feet with a block. You can view the video evidence at your convenience.
This week, the two could be locked up for much of the afternoon.
Floyd opened the season with a six-catch, 119-yard performance on the national stage, highlighted by a 63-yard reception in the first quarter. Rodgers-Cromartie is not fond of contact, so Floyd could once again feast this week by overpowering the veteran cornerback.
Pass Rush vs. Giants’ O-line
Last week’s lackluster pass-rushing performance was about the only sour spot in an otherwise great defensive show put on by the Cardinals against the Chargers.
The Detroit Lions have one of the best defensive lines in football, led by star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and they pressured Eli Manning on just 11 of the quarterback’s 35 dropbacks (31.4 percent). The veteran had time to throw, and if given time he can be good.
After last week’s poor game against the Lions, expect Manning to be more efficient and take advantage of time in the pocket when it’s given to him.
It is imperative the Cardinals pressure Manning and take him out of his comfort zone. Here is why:
From the start of the 2012 through last week, Manning has completed 47.3 percent of his passes under pressure with 10 touchdowns and 19 interceptions for a 54.6 passer rating, according to PFF. In case you’re wondering...no, that is not good.
By comparison, when given time, Manning has since the start of the 2012 season completed 63.8 percent of his passes with 35 touchdowns, 25 interceptions and an 87.9 rating. Again, it’s very important to pressure the former No. 1 overall pick.
Cardinals’ X-factor of the Week: Larry Foote
Foote showed quickly he could fill Karlos Dansby’s shoes and was probably the most valuable defender for the Cardinals in last week’s victory. This week, he and the defense face a young but talented offensive line, led by 2013 first-round pick, right tackle Justin Pugh.
New York struggled to run the ball against the Lions, averaging only 2.4 yards per carry. The Cardinals have one of the best run defenses in the NFL since the start of the 2013 season. Their defensive line is a big reason for that, but their inside linebackers filling lanes is another huge factor as to why Arizona is so stout versus the run.
Last year, it was Dansby stepping up into those holes. This season, it is apparent early it will be Foote doing the stuffing.
Taking away the run game early is critical if the Cardinals want to limit what Manning and the Giants offense can do down the stretch Sunday. Foote is the key to stopping the run game.
Prediction
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The Cardinals are 1-0 and are coming off a great comeback win. The Giants are 0-1 and were blown out on the road last week.
That’s the extent of what we know about these teams right now, as it’s too early to say whether Week 1 was an indication of how these two teams will fare in 2014.
Given the above statement, however, this game may get out of hand if Carson Palmer is efficient, and the defense halts New York’s run game and gets good pressure on Manning.
It appeared Manning and his receivers were not on the same page at times against the Lions. That would be a huge problem for them Sunday with a secondary as talented and disciplined as Arizona’s.
Look for an early turnover from Manning, which could set the tone for the rest of the game.
Offensively, we need to see better perimeter protection for Palmer. The interior offensive line was solid against the Chargers and, for the most part, so were tackles Jared Veldheer and Bobby Massie. But Veldheer was vulnerable to bull rushes and allowed five quarterback hurries, while Massie allowed a sack to young the pass-rusher Jeremiah Attaochu. Both had false start penalties as well.
Needless to say, that can’t happen this week.
Given time, Palmer has proved he can and will torch defenses with his arm. That will be something to watch this week as Veldheer and Massie go head to head against defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka.
And speaking of the passing game, look for receiver Larry Fitzgerald to get a few looks early to make up for last week, when Palmer did not target him until the fourth quarter.
Fitzgerald is a team player and just wants to win, as the man who throws him passes told Urban this week: “Everybody’s a little bit different, especially the receiver position, but Larry doesn’t care about anything other than the scoreboard,” Palmer said. “He’s not worried about a stat or a target or whatever you want to call it.”
Well, Fitzgerald may not be worried about it, but his father and the media sure are. The story and attention created by Larry Fitzgerald Sr. and others in the media this week would have become an ongoing distraction if it continued.
Getting Fitzgerald involved early should open up the passing game for Floyd, Brown and others.
Look for Palmer to take advantage of that and distribute the ball among all his targets.
Prediction: Cardinals 34, Giants 10
All stats provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise stated
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