You know we have another game preview for the game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. Let's look at the game and how the two teams match up statistically, how they have done against each other historically and the player connections they have. And while we're at it, let's see what Cardinals milestones are within reach in today's game.
Statistics:
The Arizona Cardinals have both a top-five offense and defense. The Browns do not. Arizona is fourth in the NFL in offensive yards per game and second in points scored, averaging almost 407 yards and 33 points per game. Cleveland, on the other hand, scores 21 points per game (23rd in the league) and averages more than 364 yards, which is 12th.
Arizona is number one in touchdowns with 28 this season. Cleveland is 22nd with 15 in seven games. Arizona averages more than 125 yards per game on the ground. Cleveland averages a little more than 90. The Cards pass for more than 281 yards per game, while the Browns average more than 273.
The Cardinals have allowed 10 sacks in seven games. The Browns have given up 26.
Defensively, the Cardinals are fourth in yards allowed (just over 321 yards per game allowed) and eighth in points allowed, giving up only 19 per game. The Browns give up a lot of yards -- more than 393 per game, which is 28th in the league. They give up 26 points per game.
Arizona gives up less than 98 yards per game (seventh in the league), while Cleveland is last against the rush, giving up more than 150 per game. Arizona gives up less than 224 passing yards per game and Cleveland more than 242.
Arizona is +5 in turnovers. Cleveland is -6.
Arizona has been a big play machine. The Cardinals lead all of football in plays for at least 20 yards. Carson Palmer leads all quarterbacks with 31 pass plays of more than 20 yards. Chris Johnson has six runs of at least 20 yards. Only two players have more.
History:
The Browns dominate this series historically. They are 33-13-3 against the Cardinals, dating back to 1950, when Cleveland won the first contest 34-24. Arizona did win their last matchup in 2011, defeating them 20-17. But the Cardinals haven't won in Cleveland since 1985. They have only faced one another nine times since 1970 and the Cards hold a 5-4 advantage since then and has won three of the last four games against one another.
Connections:
The Cardinals have one former Browns player on their roster. Defensive lineman Frostee Rucker played one season with Cleveland in 2012 before coming to the Cardinals. He started all 16 games and had four sacks.
Four former Cardinals now play for the Browns.
Starting quarterback Josh McCown was originally drafted by the Cardinals. He was selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He started 22 games for them between 2002 and 2005.
Tight ends Jim Dray and Rob Housler were both drafted by Arizona as well. Dray was drafted in the seventh round in 2010 and played 55 games for the team through the 2013 season, when he signed with Cleveland as a free agent. He was a very reliable player for the Cardinals in 2013. Housler was a third round pick in 2011. He played for the Cards through last season and caught 105 passes for more than 1100 yards.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby was drafted by Arizona and had two tours with the team. Arizona selected him in the second round in 2004 and played through 2009. Then he returned in 2013. He is 11th in franchise history with 32 sacks and one of five players in team history to have at least four interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Possible milestones:
If Arizona wins, they will be 6-2 and it will be only the 12th time in franchise history they would have won at least six of their first eight games. They will have done so in consecutive seasons, which has not been done since they did it in 1975-1976.
A win would give them a three-game winning streak against the Browns.
Larry Fitzgerald needs only 13 receiving yards to move into 17th place all-time in that category. He would pass Irving Fryar.
A win would give Carson Palmer a 10-4 career record against the Browns.
Palmer already has the franchise record for touchdown passes in the first seven games of a season with 16. With one more, he would set the record for the first eight games of a season. Kurt Warner had 16 through eight games in both 2008 and 2009.
If Chris Johnson rushes for at least 100 yards, it would be the fourth time this season. No one has had four 100-yard games in a season for the Cardinals since Stump Mitchell -- now the team's running backs coach -- had four in 1985. If he rushes for at least 97 yards, he would surpass his season total for all of 2014.