We all will be watching the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. We get to see the 4-2 Cardinals at home. What matchups will matter most?
Cardinals passing attack vs. Ravens secondary
Arizona is seventh in the league in passing yards. Carson Palmer has 14 TD passes. The Ravens are 27th in the league against the pass and have allowed 11 TDs through the air. The depleted Baltimore secondary is susceptible to big plays. Arizona loves the big play. We will surely see some tonight.
Baltimore red zone defense vs. Cardinals red zone offense
Baltimore is fourth in the league in red zone defense, allowing a TD less than half the time opponents reach the red zone. The Cardinals have either been amazing or awful in the red zone offensively. They are 16/17 in the red zone scoring touchdowns in their four wins. They are 2/9 in their two losses.
Markus Golden vs. Ricky Wagner
Golden gets another start in place of injured Alex Okafor. The Cardinals have struggled to generate a pass rush. However, Ravens right tackle Ricky Wagner has allowed 16 QB disruptions this season so far. PFF grades him very poorly in pass protection.
Elvin Dumervil vs. Bobby Massie
Dumervil rushes over right tackle the majority of the time. He has 2.5 sacks so far this season. Massie can be beat in pass protection.
Patrick Peterson vs. Steve Smith, Sr.
Peterson is having a fine season and has basically shut down everyone he has covered. Twice this season his primary assignment has gone without a catch. Antonio Brown managed only three catches for 24 yards last week, while Calvin Johnson had five for 67 the week before. Tonight he will battle the intense Smith, who has 36 catches for 510 yards so far this season. Smith has been Joe Flacco's primary target and top offensive threat. If Peterson continues his play, it will be a tough night for Baltimore.
Cardinals rushing attack vs. Ravens run defense
The big difference in the offense this season for the Cardinals has been the ability to run the ball effectively. The Ravens have a top-10 rush defense. Can the Cardinals maintain offensive balance? In two losses, they were not balanced. Only Pittsburgh has held them to under 100 yards rushing.