Arizona Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matchups, comparisons and statistics

A look at the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on paper.

Team Stats:

PTS FOR: AZ (16.2--28th); TB (21.3--17th)

PASS: AZ (289.0--2nd); TB (288--3rd)

RUSH: AZ (51.8--32nd); TB: (86.0-27th)

PTS AGAINST: AZ (25.0-27th); TB: (20.8--14th)

PFF Player Grades Comparisons:

QB: AZ Palmer (74.8); TB Winston (82.1)

RB: AZ Ellington (66.4); TB Rodgers (57.4)

WR: AZ Fitzgerald (80.1); TB Jackson (86.2)

WR: AZ Jaron Brown (73.6); TB Evans (79.6)

WR: AZ John Brown (68.6); TB Goodwin (70.6)

TE: AZ Gresham (37.9); TB Brate (78.8)

TE: AZ Niklas (43.0); TB Howard (45.8)

LT: AZ Humphries (67.4); TB Smith (46.5)

LG: AZ Boone (54.2); TB Pamphile (48.1)

C: AZ Shipley (47.3); TB Marpet (71.3)

RG: AZ Boehm (44.0): TB Sweezy (44.9)

RT: AZ Wetzel (37.8); TB Dotson (86.5)

DT: AZ Williams (80.1); TB McCoy (91.2)

DT: AZ Rucker (48.4); TB McDonald (74.6)

DE: AZ Jones (88.4); TB Ayers (86.3)

DE: AZ Mauro (52.1); TB Spence (63.5)

LB: AZ Dansby (42.9); TB Beckwith (80.3)

LB: AZ Bucannon (29.8); TB Glanton (59.0)

LB: AZ Reddick (46.7); TB Alexander (82.4)

CB: AZ Peterson (77.5); TB Grimes (82.7)

CB: AZ Bethel (44.7); TB Hargreaves (42.2)

S: AZ: Mathieu 43.9); TB Tandy (46.5)

S: AZ: Branch (88.4); TB Conte (43.4)

Special Teams:

K AZ Dawson (9/13 FG, 6/6 XPT); TB Folk (6/11 FG, 7/9 XPT)

P AZ Lee (47.4 ave., 37.8 net); TB Anger (45.8 ave., 42.2 net)

KR AZ Williams (19.5 ave.); TB Reedy (22.0 ave.)

PR AZ Williams (3.4 ave.); TB Reedy (10.2 ave.)

What the Cardinals Need To Do:

* Double Team DT McCoy and contain DEs Ayers and Spence (keep them honest with hard counts, chips, screens and draws).

* Pick on the Bucs' DBs, particularly off play-action.

* Cover WR Jackson (Peterson), WR Evans (Bethel + FS help), TE Brate (Branch), TE Howard (Reddick).

* Hammer the ball between the tackles, double team McCoy, control the clock.

* Win this week (for once) on STs. No big returns for Reedy (who will think he's going to have a big day).

* Light up Winston!

Two pass oriented offenses...which one can outscore the other?