One game does not a season make, yet many people jumped off the Arizona Cardinals (+350) Super Bowl 50 bandwagon after they were crushed by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Those same people seem to forget that the Cardinals had already clinched a bye week in the playoffs, and really had nothing to play for. Even if it was nothing to do with that and they just played a poor game, better that it happens in the final week of the regular season than in the playoffs.
The #AZCardinals finished the regular season number one in total offense. pic.twitter.com/R4atI3BoVy
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 6, 2016
Palmer, Fitzgerald and Company = TOP NOTCH OFFENSE!
It may not have looked that way last Sunday, but the Cardinals have an offense that can hurt you in a variety of different ways, including a wide receiver group that knows how to stretch the field. Carson Palmer has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, and he made the most of that by tossing 15 completions of 40 or more yards during the regular season. That was a number that was the best in the league, and which was very much responsible for the Cardinals racking up over 30 points per game, which was second in the league behind the Panthers.Sure The Cards Offense Is Great But Have You Seen Their Defense?
It would be a mistake to think of this team as all offense and no defense, though, as the defensive unit is one that is almost as dangerous as the offense. DC James Bettcher has put together a scheme that sees his defensive group go after the opposition quarterback with stunning regularity. Teams that play the Cardinals had better have an offensive line that can withstand the blitzes that are sure to come, or they are going to be spending a good portion of the game picking their QB up off the turf. The defense may not be as special as last season’s, but there is definitely a much better balance to the Cardinals this year.
