The Arizona Cardinals take on the San Diego Chargers in their second preseason game of the 2016 season tonight.
There was a lot of good that came out of the Arizona Cardinals loss to the Oakland Raiders in week one, but also a lot of things that need to be worked on.
Here are five things I am watching for tonight's second preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.
First Team Offense Still in sync
The Arizona offense looked like they picked up where they left off in 2015, driving down the field, making two big plays and getting in scoring position with ease. Things stalled a bit in the redzone, but that was expected with no David Johnson and them working on matchups and to see what works. It is what happens in between the 20's, at least for the next couple of weeks, that really matter. Week one was great, let's see if that keeps up against a lesser defense in San Diego.
First Team Defense Gets Some Pressures
You'll find zero people who like pressures as a key stat more than I, but in the preseason, when defenses are vanilla and it is about winning a one on one battle, I am okay with them.
I am so okay with them, that I would love to see the Arizona Cardinals first team defense actually notch a couple against the Chargers first team offense.
Brandon Williams Following Around Keenan Allen
This is one I don't know if we'll get, but if I was James Bettcher, I tell Williams that he's on 13 all game long, well as long as Allen is in.
Allen is one of the smoothest route runners in the NFL, he would give Williams a lot of different opportunities technique wise, and that is what Williams needs the most.
Tristan Okpalaugo and Shaq Riddick
The Arizona Cardinals may be without Alex Okafor, he didn't practice on Wednesday, which means Okpalaugo and Riddick will have the opportunity to run with the second team defense.
This is the opportunity to show they belong and move themselves up the pecking order, maybe not taking Okafor's 2016 spot, but making sure they stay on the roster for 2017.
Special Teams
Cover... Returns
It may seem simple, but return coverages, kicks and punts, was awful. That was supposed to be addressed in the off season. Through one preseason game, it has not been.
What about you? What are you watching for in tonight's Arizona Cardinals vs San Diego Chargers preseason game?