The Arizona Cardinals and the New York Football Giants will face off on Sunday for the 125th time in their history when kickoff starts the game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Both teams are quite old, although the Giants are obviously the more storied franchise. It will, though, only be the sixth time they meet since the league realigned the divisions after 2001. Up until then, as the Cards were then part of the NFC East, they played twice a year.
The 1-2 Cardinals are hoping to stop a two-game losing streak they are on now, thanks to two close losses on the road to the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants, at 2-1, are coming off of a division win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, a look at some team stats will show the two teams are pretty evenly matched.
Arizona is 18th in the league in total offense with the Giants two spots behind. In the passing game, Kevin Kolb is averaging just over 270 yards per game while New York's Eli Manning averages just under 250 yards. Manning has thrown for six TDs and two INTs, while Kolb has five and three, respectively. As such, Manning's QB rating is fifth in the league at 104.3. Even with two picks last week , Kolb is still 10th in the league in QB rating at 94.3.
In the running game, Arizona should get back Beanie Wells, who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The Giants will feature Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. The two of them together have rushed for 287 yards in three games and just under four yards per carry.
For the fans who think that Kevin Kolb has been sacked too much, take note. Eli Manning has been sacked twice more this year than Kolb.
Defensively, Arizona is ranked 27th overall in the league overall, with the Giants ranked 20th overall.
In the way of injuries, Beanie Wells is expected to play, as well as LaRod Stephens-Howling. That should give the running game a boost. For the Giants, DE Osi Umenyiora made the trip to Arizona which means he is planning on playing.
How will the game turn out? Obviously, the Cards are hoping to even their record and stay near the top of the the NFC West. Join us in the game thread and talk about the game when it starts.