As they do each week with every game, Pro Football Focus sends some grade highlights to writers to share. This week is no exception. We have some of the grade and stat information from the Arizona Cardinals 34-20 road victory over the Cleveland Browns.
PFF gave the Cardinals very high run blocking grades, a +10.4 overall. While that doesn't point to specific players, it goes to show the blocking was sound. However, it came in a game in which the Cardinals were not super efficient at running the ball, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry in Cleveland.
Quarterback Carson Palmer was again very good according to PFF grades. He earned a +4.6 and continues to do well throwing the ball down the field, which is something he hasn't always done. He was 5/7 on throws more than 20 yards down the field.
Receiver Michael Floyd was very good and picked apart cornerback Joe Haden, who is considered one of the top corners in the league. Floyd was given a +3.8 for the game, but when he went up against Haden, he caught all three of the passes thrown his way targeting Haden for 99 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. His best play, a one-handed touchdown grab, didn't even count because of a formation penalty.
Left tackle Jared Veldheer was the highest-graded left tackle in the league on Sunday with a +4.9. He did not allow even a single pressure on Carson Palmer, who was pressured on 18 of his 40 dropbacks.
With starting cornerback Jerraud Powers out, Justin Bethel got the start. He was good. He was targeted 10 time and gave up only four catches for 24 yards. He also defensed a pair of passes. It could have been better. Head coach Bruce Arians said he should have had an interception at the end of the game.
PFF and Arians saw the play of Calais Campbell differently. PFF gave him high grades (+3.3) and credited him with four QB hurries and three defensive stops. Arians expected more, as he noted when speaking with the media on Monday. "He should have had a four-sack day," he said. "His stats were minimal."
Dwight Freeney had a sack and was credited with two other hurries in his 19 pass rush attempts.