Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions: Three Keys To Success

by Andrew602 on Dec 19, 2009 1:29 PM MST in 2009 Season Comment 10 comments

Yeah, that's right - three keys. I think the Cardinals only need to follow the three keys below in order to beat the lowly Lions.

This Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals(8-5) face off with the Detroit Lions(2-11) in a situation that has become a must-win game for the red birds. The Cardinals are fresh off a disappointing Monday night game, in which they turned the ball over 7 times and were surprisingly limited to 9 points. They need to win 2 out of their next 3 games and need a 49ers loss to clinch the NFC West.

The Lions are experiencing another losing season/rebuilding year and are at the mercy of a rookie coach and quarterback. There is light at the end of the tunnel though, and it's only a matter of time before the Lions are back at mediocrity. Here are the three keys to success on Sunday.

1. Stop the Calvin Johnson. He's the Lions best player and many consider him to have the best all-around skill set of any receiver in the league. His stats may not show it this year but Johnson has faced injuries and his fair share of poor quarterback play and has still produced at a pro bow level. The Cardinals were burned by the other Johnson earlier this year and to keep it from reoccurring, they will need to ensure that there are no breakdowns in coverage. The Cardinals fastest defensive back, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, will likely cover Johnson with added safey help over the top.

2. Play the Lions like they are a 2-11 team. Winning is always satisfying, but the Cardinals certainly should not squeak out a win. They have the Lions beat in every NFL category, so there's certainly not room for any excuses this week. The Cardinals have managed to keep opposing teams in games this year and if they want to make a statement to the league they'll keep their foot on the gas on Sunday. The Lions have been obliterated by some teams this year(see last week) and that shouldn't stop just because the Cardinals are in town.

3. Get healthy and acquainted. The Cardinals may likely use the next stretch of games to rest certain players in hopes to become healthy for the playoffs. Most notably, injuries have hit Mike Gandy, Larry Fitzgerald, Matt Ware, Kurt Warner, and Neil Rackers. Fitzgerald suffered a knee injury on Monday but an MRI revealed it was only a bone contusion and knee sprain. Kurt Warner has been nursing a hip pointer the last two weeks and may rest if the Cardinals have a comfortable lead on Sunday. Gandy and Rackers have already been ruled out the game. As a result of the injuries, Mike Nugent, Jeremy Bridges, and Rashad Johnson were pushed into more prominent roles on the team and must become more familiar with their respective positions the next two weeks.

On a final note, the Cardinals should obviously hand the ball off on Sunday and not be scared of fumbling. Limiting the rushing game may only discourage the Cardinals two young backs at this point.

In all reality, this is a game the Cardinals should win at ease. With the 49ers essentially on life-support, they have yet to be eliminated from playoff-contention. If the Cardinals want to take some pressure off themselves, now would be the moment pull the plug. What are your keys to the game and why?

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Comments

Crush Them

I know I’ve said it before but, THIS IS A WEEK WE SHOULD WIN BY 40!!!
Don’t let up all untill there’s under 2 minutes left and we can kneel on the ball.
Cards 45—Lions 7
Division Champs (after the 4:00 games—I live on the east coast)

by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Dec 19, 2009 3:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

blizzard here

You got any snow where you live,I live in the south-east and we got 15 inches of snow here yesterday and last night in North Carolina.

by tigg on Dec 19, 2009 5:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

here too

eastern long island—-6 inches so far and still coming down hard.

by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Dec 19, 2009 6:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

1:00 Am here

A little over a foot of snow and still coming down strong!

by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Dec 19, 2009 11:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

2:00 am here in Orlando.

A little cool. About 60 degrees here.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Dec 20, 2009 12:04 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Step on their necks and don’t let up. There shouldn’t be any thought of resting anyone healthy enough to play. The division isn’t won yet. If the Eagles win over SF the Cards will have it at days end. If not then we had better thump on the Rams without mercy too. SF finishes against Detroit and St. Louis. It’s not a stretch at all to see them end the season 9-7. The Eagles did tank it against Oakland.

by hadrarius on Dec 19, 2009 5:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't set the bar too high

Yes, I would welcome a blowout victory, but at this point I’d be happy with a win, period. In looking over the Lions previous games, they have played some pretty good teams tough, like the Steelers, when the Steelers were playing well. Culpepper is a capable QB; I’d rather see Stafford. Whichever it is, there will have to be good pressure up front.

If the Cards are cruising, I still wouldn’t take Warner out until there is no question about the outcome. I could see Beanie Wells having a huge game here.

by BPaul on Dec 19, 2009 5:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Keys to Victory

The Lions are very vulnerable against the pass and I feel very optimistic about the Cardinals ability to move the ball through the air. The Cardinals 11 and 10 personnel WR sets should pose huge problems for an overmatched Lions secondary.

Allow one of the RB’s to get to get into a groove with 20-25 carries. (I prefer it be Wells). With the playoffs looming this will give opposing DC more to be concerned about when they watch the film. This can be more easily accomplished after the establishment of the Cards dominant passing game.

Put the Football in the proven playmakers hands and allow them to make the plays. This did not happen enough last week against the 49ers especially in the redzone. Fitz (if he plays), Boldin, Breaston and Wells (yes I think Wells is a playmaker) are the players that will be responsible for the teams success from this point forward. Now is as good a time as any to put the team on the backs of the playmakers.

The Lions look like a team with U-Hauls reserved and ready to be packed. If jump on early it will kill what little confidence they do have and I expect the Cardinals to take it to them.

by Cardsfan81 on Dec 19, 2009 7:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

8:00 AM

“officially” they say 24’ inches. It’s still coming down hard. I went out to clean off my satellite dish and it was up past my hips. My BBQ is completely covered.
In the front—both cars are buried under drifts up to the windows and the plows blocked in my driveway.
Thankfully, other than shoveling later, the only thing I have to do today is watch the Cards kick some ass.
Go CARDS!!!

by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Dec 20, 2009 6:16 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I will never know what that is like living in Arizona

On the flip side, I’m sure you’ve never been in 117 degree heat during the summer.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 2:58 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs