After a much-anticipated, much-needed win (can wins this early in the season be must-needed?) over the Rams, we turn our focus to Phoenix for a battle with the fast-slumping Cardinals. The Cardinals are fresh off a blowout loss at the hands of the Falcons 41-7. The two QB's (Anderson and Hall) for the Cardinals threw 3 INT's and had trouble mustering up much of an offense only netting 267 yards on the day. The lone bright spot for the Cardinals was their RB Tim Hightower. Hightower gained 115 yards on the ground, but 80 of them coming on one long TD run. So, let's take a look at the matchups for this week and decide who has the advantage.
Raider's offense vs. Cardinal's defense
The Raider's offense should be able to move the ball pretty well against the Cardinals with Gradkowski at the helm and McFadden coming into his own. The Cardinals gave up 444 yards to the Falcons, with 221 of those yards coming on the ground. The Cardinals currently rank 31st against the run giving up 153 yards/game and the Raiders rank third in rushing with 154.5 yards/game. A heavy dose of McFadden and Bush (if available), should give the Raiders the success needed for a Raider's victory. The Cardinals strength will be against the pass. They have a talented corner and safety in Rodgers-Cromartie and Wilson. Gradkowski's mobility should keep the Cardinal's defenders on their toes.
Advantage: Raiders
Raider's defense vs. Cardinal's offense
If the Cardinals had a better QB, I would easily give this one to the Cardinals. As it is, they currently have Derek Anderson at the QB position and he has struggled mightily this year. In two games, he has 1 TD and 2 INT's. He also has fumbled three times while losing one. They should receive some help if Beanie Wells is healthy enough to play. The Raider's defense will also receive a boost if Richard Seymour can play this week. The Raiders were without Seymour last week but still held the Rams and Steven Jackson to 75 yards rushing. The Cardinals rank 16th in total yards with 322/game. The Raider's defense is ranked 9th in total yards, giving up 277.5/game. One important factor to the whole game is the fact that it will be Arizona's home-opener and the crowd should be ready and amped. The determining factor on both sides of the ball is whoever strikes the first blow.
Advantage: Raiders
Special Teams
Raiders Special Teams looked much better with Johnnie Lee Higgins returning punts and Jacoby Ford receiving kickoffs. Johnnie Lee had one punt returned for 53 yards and Ford was not excellent but was steady in giving the Raiders decent field position. There aren't many teams who can match up against the Raider's Punter and Kicker. The one field goal Janikowski missed was a 46 yarder on the infield dirt. Feely missed the only field goal he attempted last week and Graham punted 5 times for an average of 36.6 per punt.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction:
Raiders 24, Cardinals 21
What are your predictions for the game? Post your scores here.
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