Arizona Cardinals vs Indianapolis Colts: Who has the Edge?

by Andrew602 on Sep 24, 2009 5:15 AM MDT in 2009 Season Comment 14 comments

This is something new that I'd like to get going each week. It's pretty obvious but compares the Cardinals to their opponents for that week and who has the "edge" and why. I'll try to keep it as non biased as possible and if I do, don't hesitate to pull out the homer alarm. Anyway, this is extremely self explanitory already, so I should probably be quiet now.

Pos.	Edge	Analysis
QB		This was a close one but Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the league right now, while Kurt Warner is just starting to get his groove back.
HB		Both teams have young talented running backs, but the Cardinals have more rushing yards for the season and more yards per rush. Aside from fumbling, Wells has already shown glimpses of being great too.
WR		If Gonzalez were playing this would be much closer. Right now, Reggie Wayne just doesn't stack up to Fitz, Q, and Breaston alone. After Wayne on the depth chart, there is a huge question mark as well.
TE		This one was easy. The Cardinals may have the worst tight end corps in the league, while Dallas Clark is number one in total receiving yards after two weeks. See the Monday night football game this week.
OL		While the Cardinals offensive line played considerably better last week, they aren't going to be better then the Colts offensive line. They've only allowed 1 sack this season, while the Cardinals have allowed 3.
DL		This was another close one and if I were going on personnel alone, the Colts would have the edge. But going by the numbers, the Cards have the 4th rush D, and 8 sacks, while the Colts have the 30th rush D and 3 sacks.
LB	-----------	When it came down to it, both teams linebackers are solid. While the top three linebackers on the Colts have more tackles, the top three linebackers on the Cardinals have more sacks. Gary Brackett is also day-to-day right now and his status is uncertain for Sunday.
CB		Again, if this came down to personnel, I'd give this to DRC and BMac. But the Colts don't have the number one defense against the pass for nothing. They've played non-passing teams so far, but the Cardinals have also.
S		If Bob Sanders was playing, I'd say this could be a split. But since he'll likely be out, the Colts safeties just don't beat out pro bowler Adrian Wilson, and play maker Antrel Rolle.
ST	-----------	The teams split mainly due to stats. The Cardinals have better kick return coverage, while the Colts have better punt return coverage. Ben Graham is slightly netting more yards then Pat McAfee, and I would have to say Adam Vinatieri has the edge over Neil Rackers.
Coach		Jim Caldwell has done a great job up until this point and I'm sure he'll have a great first season. However, you can't put a rookie head coach ahead of a coach that recently took his team to the Super Bowl.

If I can count correctly, which I believe I can, the Cardinals have the edge 7-6(counting the splits to both sides). Obviously, some of the positions could go either way. I was torn on a few and used the stats from this year to pick a side. Who has the edge in your book?

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Who has the Edge?

Well that’s a silly question. Seatle has Edge right now. Remeber the Colts had him first and then we signed him only to let him go as well. Now Seatle has picked him up. Oh, wait. That’s not what you meant is it?

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 Sep 24, 2009 5:47 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

and don’t forget, the Cards were really mean to Edge and cut him at a time when he wouldn’t be able to get another job.
oh, wait.

by KDean75 on Sep 24, 2009 7:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Way to Look at It...

Rather than compare Position vs. Position, it might be at least equally as useful to match up -

Their running attack vs.our run defense (i.e. our tacklers vs. their blockers and their RB’s).

Their passing attack vs. our pass defense (their pass blockers vs. our pass rushers’ their receivers vs. our DB’s; their TE and RB receivers vs. our LB’s and safeties)

Ditto our running attack vs. their run defense; our passing attack vs. their pass defense

Special teams.

On defense, I think we’ll be watching a “chess match” between Manning and Billy Davis. On offense, it may come down to what we can do to take away their pass rush (i.e. attacking the perimeter and effectively blending in the run). I think we may have a slight edge in special teams explosiveness.

In the end, it may come down to turnovers/take-aways. Colts proved last week that less flashy play and fewer mistakes trumps flashy play plus miscues. Unfortunately – at least til now – the Cards have tended to be the flamboyant but mistake-prone. Then again, if we can cut our miscues in half, we should have enough edge in talent to win this one.

GBR

by jeffgollin@aol.com on Sep 24, 2009 8:19 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the match up favors Colts

Our defense is shown it is solid against the run but there are questions still about the pass defense. Colts defense is solid against the pass but weak against the run. Our D-weakness is their O-strength but their D is built to stop the pass. With two teams so evenly matched on offense I think it will be the Defenses that will decide who wins, and I think that favors Colts. Hope I am wrong.

MBN

by mbn on Sep 24, 2009 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I know is that it will be close.

The Cardinals and the Colts are very similar teams, I can see this one being a shootout.

by JoeCB1991 on Sep 24, 2009 8:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

this will be a shootout

I am betting the over on whatever the point total is set at. I’m not a betting person but watching the game on MNF, the Colts look like they could score on every possession. The Cards offense is going to need to put up some points this week in order to beat the Colts. I think the only thing going for us is that the game is at home and the stadium is going to be loud. It will be much harder for manning to audible at the line which will help the defense. Also, the Colts D was on the field for over three quarters on monday. If our offense can stay on the field, then they might wear out quicker. I say the Cards win 34-31

Badgers! Badgers! We don't need no stinkin badgers!

by haas on Sep 24, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think AZ has the edge (not Edge).

I know Indy is 2-0, but they’ve had to work for their points. I think we’ll shut down their rushing attack easily enough that we’ll be able to pressure Manning and get him to make a couple mistakes. On the other side, they don’t have a great run defense and I think that will allow Wells & Hightower to gave good games and keep them from focusing on Warner, Q, Fitz, & Breaston. And the Cards usually play tough at home, so I think we win by 10-14.

by psknapp on Sep 24, 2009 1:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

With the Colts Run Defense, and if Beanie has the Fumbles under control...

This could be his breakout game where he puts up some huge [for the Cardinals] numbers on the ground.

by JoeCB1991 on Sep 24, 2009 4:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

From the other side...

I’m a Colts fan, so i’ll give my prospective on the Colts v. Cards matchup. I agree with most of your conclusions, but i’ll contest a few.

First, i would give the edge to the Cotls on RBs. Addai is still a solid contributor and Brown has looked very strong thus far. Hightower isn’t great between the tackles and Wells isn’t quite clicking yet. The flip side of that is that i would give the Cards the advantage on the o-line. Neither team is a powerhouse in the trenches, but the Colts run blocking is absolutely abysmal. Pass protection has been solid, but i fear for Peyton’s life with Charlie Johnson protecting his blind side.

LB to the Cards easily. Karlos Dansby is infinitely better than anyone on the colts LB corps. DL i might put as a toss up though. Even with the terrible DTs, Freeney and Mathis are tough to match.

The Colts CBs are very underrated. I would give them a significant edge if everyone plays. Rookie Jerraud Powers is the real deal. However, if Tim Jennings finds his way on the field the Cards offense will light him up like a Christmas Tree. shudder

In the end, i came to the same conclusion as mbn. The Colts pass d and DEs match well against the strength of the Cards offense. On the other side, the Cards D will struggle to stop Peyton, Reggie and Dallas. Plus… you need to account for the laser-rocket-arm. : ) Colts win a close on 38-34.

by invisibulman on Sep 24, 2009 1:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Brown vs. Wells

While I won’t argue which RB will have the better career or which possesses the most talent, I have a hard time seeing how Brown “has looked strong thus far” but Wells is “not quite clicking yet.” With almost the exact same number of carries and similar offensive lines (ie neither is very good at run blocking), Wells has averaged 5.2 ypc while Brown is averaging 3.9.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Sep 24, 2009 2:36 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget

that Peyton throws alot to his RBs, that should be a factor. While our ground game hasn’t been what I would consider acceptable (although a tiny bit better than last year) both of our RBs have great hands and can catch the little dump-offs and get YAC.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Sep 24, 2009 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs