Arizona Cardinals host the Los Angeles Chargers today; both teams need to win. The Cardinals are 4-7, while the Chargers are 5-5 and getting ready for a playoff push. The Cardinals get a lift with receiver Marquise Brown coming back but will be without tight end Zach Ertz and receiver Greg Dortch not expected to play.
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Cardinals Keys to Victory
Run the Ball
The Chargers struggle against the run; they give up 148.4 rushing yards per game this season. Arizona should lean on running back James Conner and quarterback Kyler Murray to lead the rushing attack. If the Cardinals can run the ball well, it could keep it out of Justin Herbert‘s hands. It all starts up front with the offensive line.
Pressure Herbert
Against any good quarterback, you must get pressure to get them out of rhythm. Herbert was sacked five times last week. Arizona likes to blitz a lot to create pressure, but they must be careful of the quick passes out the backfield to Austin Ekeler. J.J. Watt needs to lead the charge for the Cardinals’ defensive line.
Get the Ball Down the Field
With Brown back alongside DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals have a top-notch receiving dual. Murray must get the ball to these two down the field. If the Cardinals can run the ball successfully, that would open up the passing game down the field.
But it will come down to the trenches; if the Cardinals can run block and protect Murray, they have a great chance of winning. Likewise, on defense, if the defensive line can get pressure without having to blitz a lot, it would bold well for Arizona.
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LaMarr Fields is a WNBA Insider, Sports Insider, and breaking newsÂ
reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @lburncitysports
