Today we have the Arizona Cardinals taking on the Detroit Lions. What could you want to know about the game? Here is a bunch of information about today's matchup.
Here is some from Pro Football Focus:
Cardinals Overview:
- All the resources the Cardinals have put into the offensive line seem to be finally paying off in our latest rankings.
- Several Cardinals, including Carson Palmer, have made the PFF first quarter all-pro team.
- Arizona lands at #6 in this week's power rankings.
- Thomas Maney breaks down the most notable performances in his recap of the Rams-Cards game.
Lions Overview:
- Matthew Stafford is our lowest ranked quarterback at -14.0.
- The Detroit offensive line has our lowest Pass Blocking Efficiency at just 71.1. They have allowed a total of 65 QB disruptions.
- Last year, DeAndre Levy was our third-ranked outside linebacker at +23.9.
History:
The two teams have faced each other 64 times in 1930. Detroit has a 31-27-5 advantage, but the Cardinals have won the last six matchups and 11 of the last 14 games between the two teams. The six-game winning streak against the Lions is the longest active winning streak in the NFL against another team. Since 1998, they have played each other a lot. Only in 2000, 2008, 2010 and 2011 have the two teams not faced off.
Arizona is 10-18-2 in Detroit.
Did you know that the first time the two teams played, it ended in a scoreless tie? Yuck.
Last year, Arizona scored two first quarter touchdowns with Drew Stanton starting at quarterback and that was enough for a 14-6 win.
Stats:
Arizona is second in the league in points per game, while Detroit is 29th. The Cardinals are sixth in points allowed and the Lions are 18th. The Cardinals have scored the most touchdowns in the NFL. They have also allowed the fewest touchdowns.
Those are good stats.
They average 405 yards per game on offense, while the Lions only muster just under 293, which is 30th in the league. Arizona is fifth in yards allowed, giving up almost 307 per game. Detroit is 25th, allowing 383.
The running game has been good for Arizona. They have rushed for at least 110 yards in all four games this season and average 121.8 per game. Detroit is dead last, averaging 47 per game.
Arizona has the second-most runs for at least 10 yards with 18 this season. Carolina leads the league with 19.
Possible achivements:
A win would give Arizona a 19-4 record against everyone except the NFC West under Bruce Arians.
If Arizona scores at least six points in the game, it will set a franchise record for points scored through five games in a season. The record is 153 in 1965.
If they can rush for at least 110 yards, it will be the first time since 1988 that they do so in each of the first five games of the season. They only reached 100 yards rushing six times all last season.
Larry Fitzgerald will pass Art Monk for 17th place all-time for receptions with two catches. With six catches, he would move into 15th place. He would tie a franchise record for touchdown receptions through five games if he catches two touchdowns. The record is from 1950.
If Carson Palmer passes for 318 yards or more, he will hold the franchise record for passing yards through five games of a season. That would break the record Kurt Warner holds.
Calais Campbell will pass Eric Swann for fifth place in franchise history for sacks with two.
Connections:
Arizona has three players who have spent time with the Lions. Backup quarterback Drew Stanton was drafted by the Lions in 2007 and spent five seasons in Detroit.
DE Cory Redding was also drafted by the Lions, but in 2003 and started every game from 2004-2007, playing through 2008. He had eight sacks in 2006.
Punter Drew Butler was with the Lions in the 2014 preseason.
Stanton and Redding were both part of the 0-16 Lions season in 2008.