I would love for someone with knowledge to explain how the Cardinals have turned things around. You could argue the Giants were a year ahead of them in rebuilding as the two teams records are very similar a year apart, e.g. we were 3-13 in 2017, they were 3-13 in 2018. The difference is that they returned to 8-8 last season and are now 4-0 in arguably the toughest division.
They really haven't paid much attention to their offensive line in the past five drafts. How have they done it? Better free agent signings? An up to date vision of how to play the game? People on BBI enjoyed knocking the appointment of Kliff Kingsbury as well as saying Kyler Murray is too short for the NFL, but I know who's shoes I would rather be in right now.
They've scored +30 points in each of their four games this season. We haven't socred +30 since exactly a year ago.
Fact.
It's really that simple.
The same can be said for Buffalo when they got Allen.
How many light years are the Giants behind Buffalo?
Are we entering the realm of infinity?
2. Kingsbury's system/fit with Murray
3. The defense has stepped up this year (surprising turnaround, held opponents to 20 points or less in 4/5)
they are playing like a confident team and winning in a lot of different ways.
#1 is for real. #2 and #3 still have to prove it over a full season.
2. Kingsbury's system/fit with Murray
3. The defense has stepped up this year (surprising turnaround, held opponents to 20 points or less in 4/5)
they are playing like a confident team and winning in a lot of different ways.
#1 is for real. #2 and #3 still have to prove it over a full season.
Yup #3 is because the offense gets out to big leads and teams have to abandon the run, which is their biggest weakness. Let's see when they are playing upper echelon teams.
It's a high octane modern offense.
Obviously Kyler Murray makes a huge difference, but that defense is playing really well.
Their defense this year is still producing at a high level and turned up creating turnovers more, too. Chandler Jones is still an elite rusher and Byron Murphy has elevated his game.
They keep that that up and limit offensive turnovers, they will be in contentions for a while. Any team like that is.
The Cardinals I must say have the best/luckiest trade transactions, value wise:
Chandler Jones
DeAndre Hopkins
AJ Green
All for relatively nothing (compare each of them to say Jamal Adams). Nobody knew these guys were available and suddenly people are asking "why didn't we pull the trigger on them??".
I feel that the Cardinals are a very good team, but will need to continue doing what they're doing for awhile more to transcend into say a top 3 NFC team. A high flying passing offense and a good pass rushing defense wins you lots of regular season games, but harder in dog fights.
But yeah, I think it's safe to say Murray is for real. No longer just a scrambling type QB. Much improved over his rookie season.
He's not perfect though, and when he goes down for a sack it's almost always 10+ yards a clip the way he tries to evade them.
Yes....agreed. Allen is dynamite, but that entire team has talent which makes Allen that more effective.
With the Cards, it seems to be all the QB. Not totally sold on his passing yet - but the element of pass/run/scramble out of trouble is huge.
Good for them, sucks for us.
Obviously Kyler Murray makes a huge difference, but that defense is playing really well.
This is huge. I doubt many teams would have done the same...