If you were not one of those who thought the Arizona Cardinals win over the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago was a statement game, then you are for sure be part of that group this week. The Cardinals are going into the mile high elements of Sports Authority Field in Denver, a place where many have said to be very difficult to play. Many players are not able to withstand the elements of the thin air, which becomes an instant obstacle for any team coming in.
The game will certainly be decided with the chest match between multiple MVP quarterback Peyton Manning and the complex scheme of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The Cardinals fifth ranked defense coming in will have their collective hands full dealing with the brilliant mind of a great offensive quarterback. Bowles may have a slight advantage coming in, as he has the blueprint of how Manning runs his offense, having the veteran educated football mind of assistant coach Tom Moore. No matter what is said in the media, Moore knows Manning better than any coach in the league. He spent all those years teaching him in Indianapolis, and building that same offense that Peyton still effectively runs today.
Even though the defense may know what is coming from Manning, you still have to stop it on the field in game speed and not in a film session. This is a mind game, and the sharpest minds will prevail. In other words the Cardinals defense has no room for mental mistakes, in which they have been disciplined this year thus far, and no challenge has intimidated them.
The poles don’t give the Cardinals a chance in this game, having them already a 7.5 under-dog coming in. Most of the Valley’s popular radio buffs have already sounded off that this will be a beat down in Colorado. But not so fast, this Cardinals team is not your regular Cardinals team of old, this team has a confidence about them that cannot go over-looked.
Important note that everyone is missing, Peyton Manning struggles against fast and aggressive defenses. The Broncos last opponent just happened to be a team that only the Cardinals have beaten in a place where no one wins, that being in Seattle the loudest building in the NFL. The Seahawks defense destroyed the broncos in super-bowl forty-eight last year and made Manning look very pedestrian in the process. The defenses in the NFC West are a different beast from other defenses in the league, and facing them is harder than it looks on tape, as Manning has seen playing the Seahawks the last two times.
Can the Broncos deal with the over-all team speed of the Cardinals? That is the question, as it is well documented that “speed kills” and so far this year it has been the staple for this Cardinals team on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals will not allow Manning to get into a comfort zone, by figuring out where the defensive blitz will be coming from. Turn-overs will be a key part of this game, and Peyton is not perfect as we have seen in times past when an aggressive defense can get him rattled in the pocket.
Here lies where the game is simply decided, getting Manning uncomfortable where he is guessing and not seeing clearly, that is of course easier said than done. The front line will have to get some pressure without a blitz from the secondary at times because manning is deadly against the blitz as well.
We know Bowles will dial up some blitzes in the fourth quarter out of the same defensive look each time so that manning cannot tell where they are coming from, which was reiterated by Cards star corner-back Patrick Peterson earlier in the week “well we do not want to give him (Manning) to many different looks so he can figure out where the blitz is coming from, we want everything to be the same” referring to the defensive formation. But will that be enough? And the answer is left to be seen, but it lies in the defensive front of the Cardinals, which makes DE Calias Campbell’s production a must in this game. The defensive front guys have to generate a pass rush to make the blitz that much more dynamic, and that will make for a long day for any quarterback.
If you like star receiver verses star cornerback match-ups then you will love this game, as both teams have both of these elements. Patrick Peterson against Damaryius Thomas will be fun to watch, and as equally so, the match-up of Michael Floyd and Aqib Talib. So cancel those players from the equation and who has the advantage? Will it be the Broncos at the tight-end position where the Cards have been known to give up big plays, or will it be the Cardinals middle of the field speed from slot receiver John Brown, who has started to get some defenses attention.
The quarterback situation for the Cardinals may not be much of a factor in this game, as Carson Palmer will sit out another game because of a nerve in his throwing shoulder has not regenerated to full strength yet. Leaving Drew Stanton to make his third straight start this year and continue to gain momentum to causing a quarterback controversy should he play well and beat the mighty Broncos.
The Broncos newly vamped defense has some great players on it, one in particular that Stanton will be eluding is DE Damarcus Ware. The match-up with he and LT Jared Veldheer will certainly be one to watch. If the Cardinals can keep Ware under control, then Stanton will have another efficient outing.
One other key note that many have not stated, and that is that the Cardinals offense has yet to play to its potential this season, and a showcase of their weapons on offense has yet to come together like anticipated. They are getting better but with Palmer out, it’s taking a form with Stanton that just does enough to not lose the game. More reps in practice and the more comfortable Stanton gets the better this offense will be, they have the ability to put-up 30 points per game and have yet to make that milestone.
This one will not be a Broncos run-a-way like most think, In fact it may take on the shape of the game two weeks ago that the Broncos played verses the Seahawks and lost in over-time. The Cardinals cannot rely on having only a strong second half because with a team like the Broncos a bad half could have you down 21 points, so a fast and efficient start is pivitol. Should all these things take place along with a good special teams performance the Cardinals will win a three point nail biter 26-23 and continue their undefeated status, and then get national attention as a potential super-bowl contender.
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