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We are just a day away from the Week 10 game between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. Bradley Sowell returned to practice and Rashard Mendenhall is going to start.
Here are the stories of the morning.
Cardinals:
Cardinals Blogs | Dialing down the Wattage
The Texans come into University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday bringing along with them the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL (although they have an incongruous 2-6 record, but that’s a discussion for another post.) That defense is led by Watt, the maniacal, sack-grabbing, pass-knockdown king.
Cardinals Blogs | The touchy subject with Ellington
Are 20 touches enough for Ellington? Well, thanks to some research by my new co-worker Kyle Odegard (you’ve seen his work here and here and here), if the Cards get Ellington 20 touches, that’s right around the mark many of the top backs get. Here are some interesting numbers:
Cardinals Blogs | Friday before the Texans
"I don’t know how they are 2 and 6."
Friday Five: Texans At Cardinals
A glance at five top storylines for Sunday’s Cardinals-Texans game at University of Phoenix Stadium:
Darnell Dockett, Antonio Smith Say Hello
Notebook: 2004 Cards' draft class reunites; Sowell ready to play; Mendenhall to start
Expect Heavy Traffic At Game Sunday
Fans attending the Cardinals-Texans game at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday should expect a higher volume of traffic due to a variety of other events taking place this weekend.
FTP: Arians knows about interim role - Arizona Cardinals Blog - ESPN
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was a popular guy this week.
Double Coverage: Cardinals vs. Texans - ESPN
ESPN.com Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss and Texans reporter Tania Ganguli discuss Sunday's matchup.
Record of 4-4 in '13 feels different than 2012 - Arizona Cardinals Blog - ESPN
They're 4-4 midway through the season, the defense is carrying them and the offense is struggling. Is it 2012 all over again? Nope, not in the least.
Arian Foster of Houston Texans out against Arizona Cardinals - ESPN
Foster suffered a back injury in the first series against the Indianapolis Colts in last Sunday night's game.
Rashard Mendenhall feeling good after painful turf toe - ESPN
Turf toe is a general term used for sprained or torn ligaments in a toe, but it’s painful, the running back said.
Logic says Cards can't afford loss to struggling Texans
If the Cardinals truly entertain playoff hopes, a win over the 2-6 Texans is nearly a necessity.
Arizona Cardinals look for another all-important home win ArizonaSports.com
Including playoff games, the Cards won 13 of 19 games at University of Phoenix Stadium, and turned the venue into a pretty intimidating place for an opponent to play football.
Arizona Cardinals' Bradley Sowell returns to field after dealing with the flu ArizonaSports.com
The Arizona Cardinals' left tackle was out with the flu, and he was well enough Friday to get back on the practice field in preparation for the Houston Texans and their top-rated defense.
NFL:
Breaking down the Carolina Panthers defense - SBNation.com
Danny Kelly puts the Panthers defense under the microscope to understand how one of the league's most surprising units has become the backbone of a Super Bowl hopeful.
We let Jim Schwartz off the hook for now and turn all our focus to Greg Schiano as he marches inexorably toward 0-16.
Is RG3 Trying To Get Hurt? Yes. - SBNation.com
PFT Commenter is back with some strong takes about what's really plaguing the NFL: players whose motivation has nothing to do with winning and everything to do with themselves. Brace yourself for a hot serving of big boy opinions.
Christian Ponder injury leaves uncertainty at QB for Vikings - SBNation.com
The Minnesota Vikings have a tough decision to make at quarterback after Christian Ponder dislocated his shoulder on Thursday night.
The Truth About Tanking - Daily Norseman
The Minnesota Vikings got a rare victory tonight, and some people are unhappy for some reason. Really, I don't know if I understand.
Richie Incognito makes the Daily News cover - SBNation.com
Leave it to the New York tabloids to give the Miami Dolphins hazing scandal proper context. And CNN.
Robert Griffin III returns to form vs. Vikings - SBNation.com
The Washington Redskins suffered a bad loss, but it can't be attributed to the second-year quarterback.
"My chances were really slim to none" - Big Cat Country
Jaguars wide receiver Mike Brown will have an increased role with the absence of Justin Blackmon, but it's a chance that is nearly two years in the making.