Big Red
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
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The Cardinals were expected to be an offensive dynamo this year, but their calling card has been balance.
The defense has exceeded expectations under Vance Joseph, as it is second in the NFL in points allowed and ranked No. 9 in efficiency. Takeaways were in short supply through five games, but that was rectified with four against the Cowboys. The group has been fantastic situationally, seventh in third-down defense and second in red zone touchdown percentage.
"I couldn't be more impressed by V.J., and that group of coaches and that group of players," Kingsbury said. "With the changes Steve made personnel-wise, bringing in some really talented pieces, they've really come together quickly in a strange season. We know we have some great offenses ahead of us, but when you watch the way they're playing -- with physicality, they took the ball away four times last night, the way they are flying around the football field and having fun doing so, it's a fun culture to be around."
The offense hasn't been perfect, but it's been a lot better of late. Murray threw for 380 yards in a 30-10 blowout of the Jets, and despite his accuracy issues against the Cowboys, the team scored 38 points and racked up 438 total yards with zero turnovers.
The rushing attack was phenomenal in Dallas, and Murray connected on a back-breaking 80-yard touchdown to Christian Kirk late in the first half. Even when he is not playing splendidly, Murray's skillset makes defending the Cardinals a tough task.
"The playbook is really limitless, because you can call your QB run stuff, you can call your dropback stuff, you can call your deep throws, and he has the mental capacity and the ability physically to do it all," Kingsbury said.
The Cardinals' defense may not remain No. 2 in points allowed all season, but even if it drops a bit, the offense has room to make up for it. The Cardinals have a high floor because of their rushing attack, which is on pace to set a franchise-record in yards per carry for the second consecutive year.
When the passing game is clicking, defenses are in a bind.
"We still have not hit our stride offensively, and more than anything, that's encouraging," Kingsbury said. "We've got to hit it here soon, because we've got a great Seattle team coming in and scoring a bunch of points."
There are legitimate questions about a team like the Browns, who are 4-2 but with a negative-24 point-differential, or the 5-1 Bears, who have won every game by one possession.
The Cardinals do not have the same underlying concerns, and while a good start is just that, there is nothing to suggest this is a desert mirage.
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