GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals defense has been elite all season, but Week 6 offers to be their toughest challenge yet against the NFL rushing leader on Sunday. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor leads all halfbacks with 480 rushing yards through five weeks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the NFL rankings, the 26-year-old is eighth in yards per carry (5.1) and first in rushing touchdowns (6). The Colts are ninth in rushing yards per game with 128.2 per game and the main reason why they’re 4-1 to start the season.
Sep 28, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Can Cardinals stop Taylor?
Arizona’s front seven has had the same level of success with its run defense. The front seven has allowed 92.4 rushing yards per game, which is tied for 8th in the NFL. Opponents are averaging 3.9 yards per carry, placing them in the bottom third of the league. Two new additions to the Cardinals defense has aided in this dominance, them being edge Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
Cardinals Trey Benson (33) and Josh Sweat (10) warm up on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Raiders at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 23, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sweat and Campbell have combined for 10 of the team’s 25 tackle for loss. The utter dominance for the duo to start the season has saved multiple games for Arizona. The most noticeable being Campbell recording two sacks in the final five minutes vs. the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
That success continues in the linebacker core with Mack Wilson Sr. and Akeem Davis-Gaither. Wilson leads the team in tackles (41), while Davis Gaither sits at third (36). Even if opposing rushing attacks get pass the first level of the defensive front, Wilson and Davis-Gaither has made it their life mission to not allow those running backs get to the safeties.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) celebrates a defensive stop against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 5, 2025.
Taylor has the argument to be the best running back in the league, as he has faced two top rushing defenses thus far this season an is averaging 120.5 yards on the ground. The All-Pro halfback plays better against elite competition and the Cardinals defense has been that to start the 2025 season. Arizona will need to rely on its top guys to continue at its elite level to maintain Taylor from having a monster day on Sunday.
BREAKING: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray out Week 6 vs. Colts, QB Jacoby Brissett to start
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
