1 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: Welcome Bird Gang, and welcome to a week fifteen football Friday. 2 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: On today's show, once again, it's a win and you're 3 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: in scenario A playoff spot awaits the Cardinals with a 4 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: victory on Sunday. Like Jarecki tells us how it is 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: going to happen, He's got his three keys to victory. 6 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: First though, a word about analytics. It's Cardinals Cover two, 7 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: Episode five twelve, and it starts now. Welcome to Cardinals 8 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: Cover two with Craig Griolu and Mike Jarecki. Cardinals Cover 9 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 1: two is presented by Hyunday, proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals, 10 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts. Visit Easy Cardinals dot com, 11 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: slash podcasts Going for Hopkins one hand to catch in 12 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: a touchdown DeAndre Hopkins. Here's Craig Griolu and Mike Jarecki, 13 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: So real quick again, Jay, what are your thoughts on 14 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 1: analytics and their parts in the game of football. Well, 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: if you talk to the old school guys like Bill Polly, 16 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 1: and they're told that you never leave points on the 17 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: board and when you get within the five yards of 18 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: the goal line, you take the points and as sorry, 19 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: with Marv Levy. They carried over to Bill Walsh, Paul Brown, 20 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: and Mike Homegren was a big fan of that too. 21 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 1: But you know, give Brandon Saley credited. He stood up 22 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 1: there and they lost the game, and they probably don't 23 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: face over time if they kick one or two field goals. 24 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: But he's consistent. And this is very similar to Cliff Kingsbury. 25 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: I mean, now, one thing analytics don't show is the 26 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: momentum in the game. I mean, but I just think 27 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: I think it's two fold for the Cardinals this year. 28 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: I think teams are going forth more on fourth down 29 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:57,800 Speaker 1: and the idea is to keep Kyler Murray and the 30 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: Cardinals offense on the sidelines. That was when they were 31 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: scoring over thirty points a game, four hundred yards and 32 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: then you know, we just a week ago deep when 33 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: do you go for three versus seven? And Kingsbury has 34 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 1: been consistent, they just got stonewalled. So this shouldn't be 35 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 1: a surprise because it could happen on Sunday. It's going 36 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 1: to happen with the Cardinals, and that's just the new 37 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: school of football. I mean again, I mean, you're gonna 38 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 1: get second guests if you lose the game, but he's 39 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: very he said, this is who my football and with 40 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: the quarterback they have, you think that, you know, some 41 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: of this stuff will work out on its own, but 42 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 1: it's very similar to experience every single week with Cliff Kingsbury. 43 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 1: What are your thoughts? Well, for those that might not 44 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: know what we're referring to here, Burg Gang Thursday night football, 45 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: Chargers lose the Chiefs and overtime thirty four twenty eights, 46 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: and the talk after the game, at least via the 47 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,519 Speaker 1: Chargers is Brandon Staley's decision five times, five different times 48 00:02:57,520 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 1: to go forward on fourth down, fourth and goal from 49 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,239 Speaker 1: five fourth and one, fourth and one, fourth and two 50 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:08,119 Speaker 1: fourth and one successful just two times, and they very 51 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 1: easily could have kicked the field goal instead of going 52 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:15,640 Speaker 1: for the touchdown. Yet I went back and looked, especially 53 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 1: when they were inside Kansas City territory, deep inside Kansas 54 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: City territory, with respects to field goal or keep the 55 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: drive alive, they were either tied talking about the Chargers, 56 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: or ahead and only ahead by if a field goal. 57 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 1: Now it's still a one position ball game, so I 58 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: understand the thinking. And I like what you said about 59 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: coach Daley quote. That's the way that we're going to 60 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: do things around here. End quote Kingsbury very consistent as well. 61 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: I have kind of come around to this way of thinking. 62 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: And I'll credit our good friend and former colleague Kyle 63 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: Udguard because you are playing the numbers, you played, the percentages, 64 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: and the way offenses are going these days, it should 65 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: be not automatic. But if you can't get one or 66 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: two yards, then there's issues. And it's not the decision 67 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: to go forward. It's not the play call, it's the 68 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: execution of the play. And I understand there's someone on 69 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: the other side that's trying to prevent you from moving 70 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: the sticks and keeping possession of the ball game. But 71 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 1: we've even seen some veteran head coaches, Bill Belichick, and 72 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: this goes back way back on the road in Indianapolis 73 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:29,280 Speaker 1: Patriots and Colts Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and there was 74 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 1: a fourth and one from inside their own forty yard 75 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: line and they went forth unsuccessfully. But the odds are, hey, 76 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,359 Speaker 1: do we believe in our offense? Do we want to 77 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: see Patrick Mahomes on the football field? So I understand it. 78 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 1: It's very easily to hindsight second guests Friday morning quarterback 79 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: If you will, but I like the aggressiveness and I've 80 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:55,919 Speaker 1: come around to this line of thinking, I want to 81 00:04:55,960 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: win with my offense on the football field. Well, the 82 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 1: only thing is you want to be consistent, and they're 83 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: consistent and they don't back down from it. Cliff Man, Yes, 84 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 1: they'll tell you. He'll tell you, well, I didn't call 85 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: a great game, but when it comes to going for 86 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 1: fourth down, that's just that. That's who he is. In 87 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: Advanced Joseph. He loves when teams go on for it down. 88 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 1: He feels he's got more bullets in his chamber. And 89 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 1: then how many plays can you really run if it's 90 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: fourth and one? I mean, yes, you can try to 91 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 1: get cute, but normally you line up and you try 92 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 1: to run the football. And you know, the Cardinals front 93 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: seven has done a really good job. So he actually 94 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: loves when teams go for fourth down because he feels 95 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:40,119 Speaker 1: like he's got more options there. So but you know, again, 96 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: it's it's something that's really Every team has an analytics department. 97 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: I don't know about the Patriots, to be honest with you, 98 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 1: they won't tell us. And then you know every team 99 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,359 Speaker 1: subscribes the Pro Football Focus because they want to see 100 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,159 Speaker 1: their coaching grades compared to their grade. So it's a two. 101 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: It's not the Bible, they don't go by that. But analytics, 102 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: it's prevalent in a lot. I mean, I think you 103 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:09,159 Speaker 1: would no better than I do it. In baseball when 104 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: you put the shift down, do you get a guy 105 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,160 Speaker 1: in the eighth inning that he can't hit against the 106 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 1: left hander versus a right hander? I mean, there's analytics 107 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: and everything. And in the fact that the Cardinals have 108 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: GP gps is on guys, so they can dictate, you know, 109 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:27,360 Speaker 1: in the fourth quartering utilize this guy or a c 110 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: already you know, maybe only he's now you know, he 111 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: doesn't have the same energy in the first quarter. So 112 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 1: it's really sports science and now it's become analytics, and 113 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: we're seeing in another sports. You bring up baseball basketball 114 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: as far as hey, it's better to attempt that three 115 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: versus you know, a fifteen footer, which is two points, 116 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 1: just back up an additional six feet. The odds, the 117 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 1: percentages say to go forward. The next gen stats concerning 118 00:06:55,400 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 1: last night's game, Chargers win probability was positively impact act 119 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 1: by all five of coach Brandon Staley's decisions to go 120 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 1: for a fourth down conversion. But there has to be 121 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: a little bit of a give and take. You alluded 122 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: to it earlier. How are you playing? What's the line 123 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: of scrimmage are you playing? While you moving the football 124 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: successfully to where? Hey, you know what, we just couldn't 125 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: do it on third down. But I really like this call. 126 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: We've got something going here. Let's keep the offense on 127 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: the football field. So it is. I think it's a 128 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: fascinating conversation. There is no right or wrong answer. You 129 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: just have your own personal beliefs and opinions. Kingsbury though 130 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: more times than not, and it's not just him, it's 131 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: the entire offense twelve of nineteen on fourth down, even 132 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: after going two of four last week in that loss 133 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: to the Los Angeles Rams. So this is kind of 134 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: the new way of thinking in the National Football League. 135 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: Younger head coaches the aggressive nature. But you need to 136 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: be able to score points, and there are very few defenses. 137 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: And I have to go back maybe the Baltimore Ravens 138 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: that you can roll on to win you ball games. 139 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: Now it's all about the offense and getting to that 140 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 1: thirty point mark. Very few games, even in the postseason, 141 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 1: are played in the teams. You need to be able 142 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: to move the football and maintain possession of the football 143 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 1: get into the end zone. Yeah, and you know it's 144 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: not going away. And I'm glad you brought up the 145 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: Ravens because you know you're always going to get second guests. 146 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,640 Speaker 1: But again, it's not so much the play call, it's 147 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 1: the execution. And you know, Hardball was criticized. You know, 148 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: why didn't you go for two and versus one? And 149 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: obviously you know, we know the on site kick is 150 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: what less than five percent successful rate? I mean it 151 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: could be seven. I mean we had four last week. Four. 152 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean it's I know, Wolf hates it 153 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: because he doesn't think the receiving team really has a chance. 154 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: But obviously Matt Prador did a great job, and so 155 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: did Zaven Collins. But yeah, I mean it's it's you know, 156 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 1: when do you go for two? There's a chart for that, 157 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: and you usually don't. You don't chase points in the 158 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 1: first three quarters. But if you're down by you know, 159 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:10,079 Speaker 1: nine points all of a sudden, or you're down by 160 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:11,839 Speaker 1: you know, two touch ons, you you have to get 161 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: at least that first two point conversion to make it 162 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: a one possession game, even though now it's cut to eight, 163 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: so it's not going away and to me, and it 164 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: adds another element to the game where you know, we 165 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: always think about blocking and tackling, but here it's like, 166 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 1: I trust my team and I'm going to put them 167 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: in a position to a week and obviously pick up 168 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: the fourth down, and it gives us and everyone else 169 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: something to talk about post game the next day and 170 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: the day's following until you have another opportunity on the 171 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: football field. The other topic around the NFL, and it 172 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,719 Speaker 1: finally hit the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week, and unfortunately MJ. 173 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: I think it was only a matter of time. There 174 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,960 Speaker 1: are very few professional teams right now that are not 175 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: dealing with this, and we're talking about COVID nineteen. Rodney 176 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: Hudson placed on the reserve COVID nineteen list. The league, though, 177 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: has a little bit altered as far as the protocols 178 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: and the procedures to get back on the football field 179 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: quicker than it was prior to the league announcing with 180 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 1: the NFLPA some protocol changes. But right now without Rodney Hudson, 181 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: now you welcome back. Justin Pugh hopefully this week. But 182 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 1: now all of a sudden, you lose Rodney Hudson. Well, 183 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: the good news is you have Max Garcia, which is 184 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:34,680 Speaker 1: what this team will do if Hudson is unavailable to 185 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: go on Sunday. I would agree with that, And now 186 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: the question becomes who's the right guard. We know that 187 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 1: Sean Harlow's played a lot of left guard going back 188 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: to training camp when p was out, he actually was 189 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 1: the third string center. But I would put Garcia back there, 190 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 1: And now we know Josh Jones has experienced at right guard. 191 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 1: I would think at this point Harlow's he can play 192 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: both positions. Basically, he's your backup guard and backup center. 193 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: But in this case, I don't know if I would 194 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: roll Harlow out there, not to say that, you know, 195 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: Detroit's front seven is going to push him back. And Garcia, 196 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:13,959 Speaker 1: you know, obviously didn't have a good game. Not a 197 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: lot of guys do against Aaron Donald, but I would 198 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 1: have Garcia in there, just more from an experience standpoint. 199 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: The good news, though we talked about Justin Pugh was 200 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,200 Speaker 1: spotted on the practice field on Friday during the open portion. 201 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 1: He was not spotted on Thursday because of a non 202 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: COVID illness. He's been dealing with a calf issue. We've 203 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,680 Speaker 1: been talking about it. He's been gone for several weeks now. 204 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: But to get that offensive line back now, obviously without 205 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: Rodney Hudson, that's a different story. But it will be 206 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: good to see Justin Pugh back on the football field. Yeah, 207 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: and he thought that he was moving around pretty well. 208 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: You know, yesterday he was on the injury report with 209 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 1: an illness and wanted, oh, you know, in close contact 210 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 1: with Rodney Hudson. And again they are having meetings outside though, 211 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 1: just a let and know they are meeting outside and 212 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: luck different and they can also use the Bubble for 213 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 1: meetings and some are virtual, but for the most part 214 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: they are outside at these meetings. So hopefully nothing else 215 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: pops up. But I'd be interested in to see, you know, 216 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 1: how the approach it. We know that Harlowe could be 217 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: the starter or Josh Jones. Jones has more experience at 218 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: right guard. Again, Coup's is going to go with the 219 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: best five guys that he trusts, and we could see, 220 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: you know, if Josh Jones doesn't start, maybe we'll see 221 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: him at some point. Pugh has not played since November 222 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: seventh at San Francisco, and he was only on the 223 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 1: field for a limited number of snaps. He got hurt 224 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: on the second offensive series of the game. So it's 225 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: been a while since we've seen Justin Pugh all right. 226 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: Speaking of practice, some concern earlier in the week with 227 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 1: James Connor dealing with an ankle injury. He though on Friday, 228 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 1: was practicing during the open portion. That is good to 229 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: see because we anticipate, Hey, Chase Edmund's coming back. We know, 230 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: no DeAndre Hopkins. You want all all position players available, 231 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 1: so you have that one two punch, especially in the backfield. Yeah, 232 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: And you know, normally when you get the chance to 233 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: go out there, you can tell the guys that are 234 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 1: going in to get rehab, and a lot of guys 235 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: do participate in the walkthrough just because the game plans there, 236 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,440 Speaker 1: and so you kind of have an idea what the 237 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:25,720 Speaker 1: game plan looks like, and you can, you know, you 238 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:27,839 Speaker 1: see what it looks like on the field again to 239 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 1: walk through. But I never saw him limping or anything. Obviously, 240 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: he's carried the ball more than, you know, more than 241 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: they probably liked. But he was able to carry the 242 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: load and you look at the rushing touchdowns and the reception, 243 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: so he was moving fine. Chase, you know, I know 244 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: he's chomping at the bit. He practiced all week, just 245 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:48,120 Speaker 1: like last week, and I think they're right to unleash him. 246 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: And you know, again they were being patient with him 247 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: because they know how important to get this running game 248 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: going again. You know that the one two punch and 249 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: then obviously Color's kind of the luck guy there when 250 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: it comes to running the football. Fourteen rushing touchdowns for 251 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 1: James Connor that leads the NFC second most and the league. 252 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 1: But the staff that really jumps off the page when 253 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 1: you talk about that Cardinals rushing attack twenty one twenty 254 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:22,000 Speaker 1: one rushing touchdowns, that's tops in the National Football League. 255 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: Mike Jarecki, what are is this? Air raid? It is 256 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: a run raid, ladies and gentlemen. Twenty one rushing touchdowns 257 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: and of course fourteen belonging to James Connor. But that 258 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: speaks to how Cliff Kingsbury has not adapted to the 259 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: game but just kind of learned what works and what 260 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: doesn't work and making sure that he has the personnel 261 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 1: around him to be able to get that ball into 262 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 1: the end zone. Well, you've had the stack going in 263 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: the last game forty eight percent rushing, fifty two percent passing. 264 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: And I do think Sean Coogler, he got a promotion 265 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: in the offseason, and you know, ideally you like to 266 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: run the ball, last play action, but they commit to 267 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 1: the run game, and you could see during the game. 268 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: There are times at Cougler's next to Kingsbury and they 269 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: have a certain amount of run plays that they discussed 270 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: there in the week. Hey, let's go with this. This 271 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 1: is what we see that last last time we were 272 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:16,680 Speaker 1: on the field. This is the defense they showed. So 273 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 1: I think a lot of it has to do with 274 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: Sean Cougler. Obviously kings makes the calls, but all that 275 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: stuff is done before they step on the field. Cardinals 276 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 1: Cover two presented by Hunday, proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals. 277 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: As we look now here on this football Friday Week fifteen, 278 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 1: Cardinals at the Lions eleven AM is the kickoff on 279 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: Sunday six thirty am. Pregame coverage begins on the Arizona 280 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: Cardinals Radio Network. Simple Cardinals win, They're in. They get 281 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:49,680 Speaker 1: that eleventh win of the season, and they will clinch 282 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 1: a playoff spots for the first time since twenty fifteen, 283 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: when the Lions have struggled just one win in their 284 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: thirteen games this season. But is that time or Mike 285 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 1: Dick he's three keys to victory? What needs to happen 286 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: for the Cardinals to be playing not endo January, but 287 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: past that regular season Week eighteen contest. We want postseason 288 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: play here in Arizona in twenty twenty two. So MJ, 289 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: what has key number one for you? Well, I just 290 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: kind of alluded to it. Number one is get back 291 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: to run the football. This team when they were, you know, 292 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: putting up thirty points and over four hundred yards. Yes, 293 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: they're still throwing the ball, but they were winning at 294 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage, and I just want to see 295 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: them now that they got the one two punch. You know, 296 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 1: Connor's still going to get his opportunities short yardage. In 297 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: the passing game, we know Edmonds is, you know, he 298 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 1: can go from the twenty to the twenty another really effective. 299 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: They're both actually above average and pass protection. And then 300 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray. We've heard Cliff and that's what makes him 301 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: so dynamic. It's not like design runs. But if a 302 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: play breaks down and he's going through his progressions and 303 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: he wants to do a scramble. I'm for so, I 304 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,360 Speaker 1: just I just feel like this team needs to get 305 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: back to the basics, and that's running the football, winning 306 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 1: at the line of scrimmage and will that will open 307 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: up play action And I really think, you know, a 308 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 1: guy like Chase Edmonds and Zach Ertz and possibly aj 309 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 1: Green are going to take some of those targets that 310 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 1: maybe DeAndre Hopkins would have been getting. And without Hopkins, 311 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,159 Speaker 1: maybe you do need to see Kyler Murray run a 312 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 1: little bit, or at least the threat of the run 313 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 1: to keep defenses honest, because we know when number ten's 314 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: on the field, the defense shifts to his spot, his location. 315 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: You have to account for him. Now, well, you always 316 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: had to account for Kyler Murray. But if it's just 317 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 1: a little bit more, and again, as we discussed earlier 318 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: in the week, it's not because not out of necessity, 319 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: but just maybe and again I might be going back 320 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: on my own thinking this because I don't want to 321 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: see it a focal point, but it might need to be, 322 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,360 Speaker 1: you know, a jump start, if you will, at least 323 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: initially to figure out how this offense is going to 324 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:07,399 Speaker 1: operate without DeAndre Hopkins on the field. Yeah, and you know, Kingsbury, 325 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: he's shown the ability in the first quarter of games 326 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: to show a design run and he does it basically 327 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:16,399 Speaker 1: to tell the other defensive coordinator, you know, you have 328 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 1: to defend this too. So again, I'm not going overboard 329 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: with design runs, but I noticed, and I can't I 330 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: don't know if every single game. Obviously Kyler missed a 331 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 1: few games, but I noticed they do a design run, 332 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 1: and I maybe that was more when you know, but 333 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 1: he missed three games. But I'm seeing some design runs 334 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 1: and I think Kingsbury saying, hey, you got to defend 335 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 1: this guy too, not just everyone else. Well, we know 336 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: the Lions not good against the run, bottom third, in fact, 337 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,200 Speaker 1: worse than that, they are twenty eighth allowing one hundred 338 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: and thirty five yards on the ground per a game. 339 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 1: So perhaps away for the Cardinals to not only control 340 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: the game, but control the clock a little bit and 341 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: get that offense to whether they're feeling good about themselves 342 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: before that game against the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas Day, 343 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: So run the football established the run key number one? 344 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:13,440 Speaker 1: What's number two? After a disappointing loss on Monday Night 345 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: to the Rams. The defense needs to set the tone 346 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:21,399 Speaker 1: early in this football game. They didn't match the intensity 347 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: last week. They obviously I thought they did a decent job, 348 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 1: you know, containing Sony Michelle, but it allowed them to 349 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:33,160 Speaker 1: throw the ball down the field. Matthew Stafford wasn't hit, 350 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: Guys were running wide open. We know the secondary, he 351 00:19:37,320 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: didn't play up to part like they have. But I 352 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 1: think the defense and when they go back and watch 353 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,239 Speaker 1: the film, they put some bad film out there, and 354 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: now it's I want them to set the tone in 355 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: this game because we know in previous games and going 356 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:56,200 Speaker 1: back to the Bears game, two interceptions, two touchdowns for 357 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,639 Speaker 1: the Cardinals next Sam it's fourteen nothing, and this is 358 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: a game where you can do that. So I want 359 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: them to set the tone right from the get go 360 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:06,640 Speaker 1: that what last week wasn't good enough. And this week 361 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: we're gonna obviously put some good film on there because 362 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:12,119 Speaker 1: we want teams to know you just can't line up 363 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: and run the football or throw it around like Matthew 364 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:19,239 Speaker 1: Stafford did. Twenty three takeaways tied for fifth most in 365 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: the National Football League. That's where this defense has been 366 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: really excelling is taking away that football. Not so much 367 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: at home, but that's a topic for a different day. 368 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 1: But on the road, you talk about it, that first 369 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 1: fifteen minutes, first couple of possessions, even if it's a 370 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: three and out, that can set the tone. First play 371 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: in the ball game Week one, all of a sudden, 372 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:45,160 Speaker 1: it's a tackle for loss against the Titans, those early plays, 373 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: whomever it is, someone on the defensive line, a linebacker 374 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: in the secondary, to kind of wake everyone else up, 375 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: if you will. But I don't have any concerns on 376 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 1: the road because we've seen at MJ every single week 377 00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 1: seven wins, seven opportunities on the road, each win by 378 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: double figures. So an eighth road win by the way 379 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: Bird Gang would be a franchise first. No Cardinals team 380 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: has ever won eight road games. Of course, back in 381 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,440 Speaker 1: the day there were sixteen games, and there was fourteen games, 382 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,199 Speaker 1: and there was twelve games. So more opportunities for the 383 00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: Cardinals this year, at least one more opportunity on the 384 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: road to get that record eighth win of the season. 385 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 1: So defense in the spotlight on Sunday number three, you know, 386 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: Kyler probably won't admit it, but it's taken a few 387 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 1: games to kind of knock off the rust, and I 388 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 1: want him to just calm down at times let the 389 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: place come to him. Last week, you know, he's trying 390 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 1: to get down the field and I think Kingsbury wanted 391 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 1: him to spike the ball. At the end of the day. 392 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:47,680 Speaker 1: He has to listen to the head coach, and it 393 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 1: was a miscommunication. They're still learning on the job, especially 394 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 1: when it comes to these primetime games. But I want 395 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 1: him to I think, you know it's been a couple 396 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 1: of weeks. Now, knock off the rust and start playing 397 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: like that MVP again. I don't care if he throws 398 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 1: for four touchdowns, but be dynamic in the pocket, dynamic 399 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:10,080 Speaker 1: if they're only going to give you the shallow routes. 400 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: I just want him to go back to you. Calm 401 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 1: down a little bit because he's got his effort and 402 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: he hates to lose his competitive juices. They're off the charts. 403 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 1: But sometimes let the game come to you. And it's 404 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 1: nothing I'm saying. He doesn't know, but I think it's time. 405 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:28,880 Speaker 1: It's been a couple of games, knock the rust off 406 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,719 Speaker 1: and run the offense like he did earlier in the season, 407 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: you think he presses, And that might be not a 408 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:37,960 Speaker 1: rhetorical question, because I do think we both agree that 409 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: he does press, but in situations in which this team 410 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: is trailing, maybe not by a field goal, but maybe 411 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:47,439 Speaker 1: by seven or more, to where all of a sudden, 412 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: not that he's not used to the spotlight and the 413 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: pressure of situations, even going back to his youth, but 414 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,119 Speaker 1: the fact that all eyes are on me. I'm the 415 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 1: most talented play on this football field, regardless of a team, 416 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,439 Speaker 1: to where I need to make a play. And I 417 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: think that's natural for most quarterbacks out there, maybe even 418 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: every quarterback. But to understand that it's not just you 419 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: and you alone. You do have ten other guys and 420 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: then some guys on the bench that might come in 421 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:19,120 Speaker 1: to help you. You don't have to do it by yourself. Yeah, 422 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 1: And I don't want him to be hesitant because that 423 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: would take you part of his being a dual threat. 424 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 1: Now everyone knows they run a two minute drill in 425 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 1: practice every day. Two minutes. That was a two minute drill, 426 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: and so he's done that every single day. And that's 427 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: why when he was running down the field, Cliff was 428 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 1: trying to get a time out and he was trying 429 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 1: to line up and then it really Sean Hardold didn't 430 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 1: have to hold on that play, but that really put 431 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:45,679 Speaker 1: him behind the eight ball. It would have been desperation 432 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,399 Speaker 1: if they would have got closer. You know, try to 433 00:23:48,560 --> 00:23:51,640 Speaker 1: throw a hell Mary and then you know, Marcus Golden said, 434 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: we work on that drill every day. You know, when 435 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:57,200 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford lost the ball, and I don't want to 436 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,399 Speaker 1: pick on one guy, but Jordan Phillips was the closest 437 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,520 Speaker 1: to it. Golden said, I could have got there, you know, 438 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,399 Speaker 1: I was. I was chasing the quarterback. I could have 439 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:05,639 Speaker 1: got there. So these are things they work on, and 440 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: I hope they're learning tools and learning because you know 441 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,320 Speaker 1: what happened in the Packers game towards the end. It 442 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 1: was a miscommunication between Murray and aj Green and then 443 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:19,080 Speaker 1: we had another miscommunication here and again, I think playing 444 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: on these primetime games for Kyler and Cliff, it's only 445 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:23,919 Speaker 1: going to help them when they get to the postseason 446 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,400 Speaker 1: because the lights are going to get brighter. The game 447 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 1: changed a little bit. You're more conservative, you're playing against 448 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:31,520 Speaker 1: the clock, You're trying to you know, you're just trying 449 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:35,399 Speaker 1: to survive. So to speak. So, but we're to a 450 00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: point in the season. You know, the fumbles, how many 451 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,360 Speaker 1: fumbles they've lost, and how many fumbles they've had. You're 452 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 1: playing with fire there and it hasn't heard them right now, 453 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 1: you start playing better teams that could come back to 454 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:52,160 Speaker 1: haunt you, mistakes are going to happen. Yeah, correctable mistakes. 455 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 1: And that's what we heard Tuesday morning, first thing out 456 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,679 Speaker 1: of Cliff Kingsbury's mouth, and in addition to the players 457 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 1: later in the week as far as what didn't go 458 00:25:01,680 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: right against the Rams, all very correctable. And as we 459 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 1: keep talking about it, Burg Gang, you're still within reach. 460 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:13,440 Speaker 1: You're within one score late in the ball game of 461 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 1: tying that contest up and going into overtime. As bad 462 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,679 Speaker 1: as the Cardinals played, and I say bad because we 463 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 1: know it got sloppy at times and mistakes, we've seen 464 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 1: them play much much better, but still a quality opponent. 465 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 1: And you know, as we get further and further away 466 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 1: from that contest, not that it's okay, but you understand 467 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,160 Speaker 1: what they were up against and the Rams playing very 468 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:39,200 Speaker 1: very well. Cardinals to a certain extent, lost that game 469 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 1: because of their own mistakes and to a certain extent 470 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,640 Speaker 1: they got beat because the Rams played better, their five 471 00:25:44,680 --> 00:25:48,159 Speaker 1: stars players played better. Yeah, and Kingsbury hit out and 472 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 1: right after the game. We didn't play a clean game. 473 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 1: They didn't play complimentary football. Usually when you turn the 474 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: ball over, you try to get the ball back or 475 00:25:56,160 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: four stem, three and out kind of get momentum. Yeah, 476 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: I mean, just get back to playing complementary football. But 477 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:07,359 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes the game is played above the shoulders 478 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:11,560 Speaker 1: and that's the mental mistakes, and that's pre and postnat penalties. 479 00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:14,000 Speaker 1: Since penalties did hurt this team on in that final drive. 480 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,800 Speaker 1: So Mike Drecki's three keys to victory here in week fifteen. 481 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 1: One run the ball. Two defense has to set the 482 00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 1: tone and number three Kyler Murray play like the MVP. 483 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 1: And with respects to that number one run the football 484 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 1: head coach Cliff Kingsbury announcing after practice that he does 485 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:38,280 Speaker 1: expect Chase Edmonds and James Connor to play. Of course, 486 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 1: a roster move would necessitate a call up for Edmonds 487 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,760 Speaker 1: off of injured reserve, but that is certainly good news 488 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 1: to hear from the coach because you have a solid 489 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 1: run game, then all of a sudden, that's where everything 490 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 1: else is predicated upon being able to establish that line 491 00:26:54,760 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 1: of scrimmage X factor third down offense and defense. Third 492 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 1: down for the Cardinals offense, keep drives going, put yourself 493 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:08,919 Speaker 1: in manageable and as for defense, you know, try to 494 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: get these guys in third and six, third and seven 495 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:13,960 Speaker 1: the Lions, and that's where Vans can tee off, bring 496 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:16,159 Speaker 1: his Nascar package in there, and we'll see how good 497 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: their offensive line is. They do have some you know, 498 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 1: big bodies, you know. I think that probably takes a 499 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 1: personality of their head coach, but I would just like 500 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:29,800 Speaker 1: to see the Cardinals convert on third down, and they 501 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 1: were decent in the Rams game, and then obviously try 502 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:36,119 Speaker 1: to get them off the field where the Cardinals defense 503 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:38,239 Speaker 1: can kind of tee off in third and long. So 504 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: that's my X factor third down offense defense. And I'd 505 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:46,640 Speaker 1: also add this because doing some research on the Detroit 506 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 1: Lions and considering where they are and their schedule, MJ, 507 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 1: They're going to take chances. And let's go back to 508 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 1: our conversation to begin this edition of Cardinals Cover Too, 509 00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:59,359 Speaker 1: presented by Hunda, proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals. Going forward, 510 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 1: on fourth down, the Detroit Lions have gone for it 511 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: on fourth down thirty one times. They are fourteen thirty 512 00:28:07,960 --> 00:28:11,919 Speaker 1: one and those fourteen conversions are the most enfranchise history. 513 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 1: And they still have these four games left to go 514 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: in the regular season. But when you have nothing to lose, yes, 515 00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 1: and the Lions have nothing to lose, I would expect 516 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: them more times than not, especially if they're on the 517 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:30,359 Speaker 1: Cardinals side of the fifty, to roll the dice on 518 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 1: fourth down. Two things there, keep the Cardinal's offense on 519 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:36,359 Speaker 1: the sidelines, but other let's try to steal a possession. 520 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:38,960 Speaker 1: Let's just not punt the ball, you know. So they're 521 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: trying to create more more plays when you go fourth 522 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:46,240 Speaker 1: on fourth down. Now, obviously nobody's going to be a 523 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 1: one hundred percent, but that's twofold. They want to keep 524 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:53,240 Speaker 1: the ball, keep Kyler on any sidelines, and then try 525 00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 1: to steal another possessions somehow, some way, because usually you 526 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:00,160 Speaker 1: have ten eleven possessions, and if they feel like they 527 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 1: can create another possession and maybe that's a special teams 528 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 1: touchdown or you know, defensive touchdown, and they feel like 529 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 1: they can keep the game a little bit even maybe 530 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 1: until the fourth quarter. Best defense against Kyler Murray and 531 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:18,480 Speaker 1: that offense is your own offense because you're having number 532 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 1: one sits and watch and we've seen that a lot, 533 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:24,600 Speaker 1: at least the plan a lot this season for am 534 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 1: opposing teams against the Arizona Cardinals. All right, the X 535 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 1: factor third down offense, defense, But you're intangible here in 536 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,480 Speaker 1: this game. Well, I'm gonna you know, I'm gonna put 537 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:36,240 Speaker 1: it on the Cardinals defensive line. I want to see 538 00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 1: how they go against the offensive line of the Lions. 539 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 1: We know that Piney Sewell is really a mountain man. 540 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:47,200 Speaker 1: They have a really good left tackle. You know, we'll 541 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 1: see the interior guys, you know, but they're gonna try 542 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: to run the ball. I don't I don't know how 543 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:54,560 Speaker 1: they're gonna do with some of these running backs, but 544 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 1: they're gonna try to run it. But I just want 545 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,480 Speaker 1: to see the Cardinals defensive line. You know, we talked 546 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,240 Speaker 1: about them set in the tone that's for the entire defense, 547 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 1: that means a secondary. But last week these guys got 548 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: they not went at the point of attack and so 549 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 1: they were challenged. And we know the Rams had their 550 00:30:10,560 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 1: backup center in their backup right tackle. They had their 551 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:18,080 Speaker 1: all pro forty year old Andrew Whitworth. So I want 552 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 1: the intangible Cardinals need to win this matchup right here, 553 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 1: and so they'll take a lot of pressure off the 554 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:26,440 Speaker 1: secondary and that's where the turnovers come in, and that's 555 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 1: where the complimentary football ends up. They had the advantage 556 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: on paper last week against the Rams, unable to take 557 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 1: advantage because the Rams were without some key pieces on 558 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:40,040 Speaker 1: that offensive line. With the Lions, they're left guard Jonah 559 00:30:40,120 --> 00:30:42,720 Speaker 1: Jackson dealing with a back injury. He hasn't been able 560 00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:45,200 Speaker 1: to practice or some question on whether he'll be available, 561 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:47,520 Speaker 1: and if not, they'll have to go with Tommy Kramer. 562 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 1: They're rookie right guard shift now to left guard, and 563 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 1: it is something to also pay attention to in the interior. 564 00:30:56,320 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: We talked about it. Their center Ryan McCollum, undrafted rookie 565 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:03,440 Speaker 1: Evan Brown did return to practice this week, activated off 566 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 1: the reserve COVID nineteen lists. But there can be some 567 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 1: shuffling around the Lions offensive line. So on paper, and 568 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 1: again it's on paper means absolutely nothing unless you execute 569 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 1: on game day. The Lions, that offensive line should be 570 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: susceptible if you will, to the Cardinals defensive front. Yeah, 571 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 1: and I think it'll be different, even though you know 572 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:30,760 Speaker 1: golf obviously when he was with McBay and you know, 573 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 1: kind of in their heyday with Todd Gurley. I do 574 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 1: think they'll get pressure on golf this week. They weren't 575 00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:38,600 Speaker 1: able to really get to Matthew Stafford, and you know, 576 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:41,320 Speaker 1: Golf's really good on the bootlegs and the waggle plays 577 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:44,280 Speaker 1: and extending plays with his legs, and you're right, they'll 578 00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:46,800 Speaker 1: probably take some shots down the field, just try to 579 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,320 Speaker 1: get a chunk play because it's going to be difficult 580 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:51,560 Speaker 1: for them to go on ten or twelve play drive. 581 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:53,680 Speaker 1: That means you got to get two or three first 582 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:56,680 Speaker 1: third downs and the Cardinals will get him off the field. 583 00:31:56,680 --> 00:31:58,640 Speaker 1: So I do think they'll take some shots just to 584 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:01,280 Speaker 1: kind of see if they can do. They're not gonna 585 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:04,280 Speaker 1: be reckless, but I do think they'll get pressure on 586 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 1: Jerichoff this week. Quite the country last week against Stafford, 587 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 1: and a reminder, no t J. Hawkinson hands surgery. He's 588 00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:15,840 Speaker 1: done for the year. So offensive weapon that the Cardinals 589 00:32:15,880 --> 00:32:18,440 Speaker 1: do not have to worry about on Sunday when they 590 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:22,640 Speaker 1: play at Ford Field again. Week fifteen, eleven am is 591 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:26,120 Speaker 1: the kickoffs six thirty am. Pregame coverage begins on the 592 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals Radio network. As we continue to look at 593 00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:33,200 Speaker 1: week fifteen, MJ here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hunday, 594 00:32:33,240 --> 00:32:36,680 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals. Some games to keep 595 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:39,120 Speaker 1: an eye on. As we know, the Cardinals within the 596 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:43,400 Speaker 1: NFC West sits at the top first place at ten 597 00:32:43,440 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 1: and three, four and one in the division, the Rams 598 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:49,239 Speaker 1: a game behind at nine and four. They will be 599 00:32:49,560 --> 00:32:52,400 Speaker 1: home to the Seahawks. The forty nine ers are home 600 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:55,040 Speaker 1: to the Falcons. Forty nine ers still in the mix 601 00:32:55,080 --> 00:32:57,680 Speaker 1: if you will, perhaps for that division. Maybe a long shot, 602 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:00,280 Speaker 1: but talking about the Cardinals at ten and three, Rams 603 00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:02,840 Speaker 1: nine four, forty nine or seven and six and the 604 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 1: Seahawks five and eight. Seattle could do a huge solid 605 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:11,160 Speaker 1: for the Arizona Cardinals here on Sunday by beating the Rams, 606 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:14,880 Speaker 1: though that game is at SOFI Stadium. Yeah, it's just 607 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 1: you got so many guys on COVID and now with 608 00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:21,160 Speaker 1: the testing, and you know, some guys if you're testing 609 00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:25,560 Speaker 1: negative for I think within twenty four hours now maybe 610 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:27,360 Speaker 1: we'll see some of these guys come off the list. 611 00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:31,800 Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm with you. Russell Wilson is playing better. 612 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:36,680 Speaker 1: They don't have Tyler Lockett though, but as long as 613 00:33:36,760 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson's getting better, they got a chance. I mean, 614 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:42,400 Speaker 1: but at the Rams right now, they're trying to hit 615 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:46,080 Speaker 1: that that accelerator to where they don't want to lose. 616 00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 1: They want to go into the postseason, and if they 617 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:50,320 Speaker 1: become a wildcard team, they're going to be dangerous to 618 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:55,680 Speaker 1: deal with just because they have the top players now 619 00:33:55,720 --> 00:33:57,640 Speaker 1: if somebody goes down, they don't have the kind of 620 00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:01,840 Speaker 1: the depth the Cardinals have in the division. At last check, 621 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:07,120 Speaker 1: twenty five RAMS players on the reserve COVID nineteen list 622 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 1: over the past couple of days. I mean this again, 623 00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 1: we touched on it. It's hitting every team, it's hitting 624 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:19,799 Speaker 1: every professional sports team across the league, it's hitting colleges 625 00:34:20,080 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 1: across the league, so or across the country, I should say, 626 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:27,239 Speaker 1: so this is very real. I just encourage everyone bird 627 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:30,920 Speaker 1: Gang to stay safe and do everything you can so 628 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:33,600 Speaker 1: you didn't get caught up in all of this, because 629 00:34:33,960 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 1: the last thing we want is, uh, well, we don't 630 00:34:37,560 --> 00:34:39,839 Speaker 1: want another shutdown like we had for so many months. 631 00:34:39,920 --> 00:34:43,719 Speaker 1: But it's it's it's a little scary out there to 632 00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:46,000 Speaker 1: be honest with you, at least from my perspective. MJ No, 633 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:48,720 Speaker 1: I couldn't agree more. I mean, I just hope people 634 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:51,480 Speaker 1: take it serious. I know, you know we're all vaccinated, 635 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:54,279 Speaker 1: we got Busha shots, but you still could get some 636 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 1: symptoms and some can be minor and something can be 637 00:34:57,160 --> 00:35:01,319 Speaker 1: more severe. Just just you know, people are saying, well, 638 00:35:01,320 --> 00:35:04,120 Speaker 1: why don't the NFL cancel these games? I get it. Well, 639 00:35:04,160 --> 00:35:07,080 Speaker 1: first of all, the NFL and the nfl PA, they 640 00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:10,680 Speaker 1: agree to these policies. I know Baker Mayfield's upset, but 641 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:13,440 Speaker 1: maybe he should be upset with the union. Now. You 642 00:35:13,480 --> 00:35:16,400 Speaker 1: don't like to see them change policy. But according to 643 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:20,440 Speaker 1: doctor Stills, who's running this for the NFL, more data 644 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:23,879 Speaker 1: and more health updates they get. There's a reason why. Now, 645 00:35:23,960 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 1: last year the league was able to move a game 646 00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:31,320 Speaker 1: from a Sunday to a Wednesday. They played every single 647 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:34,480 Speaker 1: day of the week. Granted Christmas was on a Friday, 648 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:37,319 Speaker 1: and we've never had that. But the problem this year 649 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,480 Speaker 1: is you have fans going to games, and you move 650 00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:44,600 Speaker 1: a game to a Tuesday, and they're traveling to that city, 651 00:35:45,239 --> 00:35:46,719 Speaker 1: They're not going to be able to go to the game. 652 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:49,480 Speaker 1: So I listen at the end of the day, it's 653 00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:52,000 Speaker 1: about safety, and I think it's more safety on the field. 654 00:35:52,040 --> 00:35:56,040 Speaker 1: But obviously they're doing their due diligence to make it possible. 655 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:58,239 Speaker 1: But I just don't see them canceling games. And when 656 00:35:58,280 --> 00:36:02,280 Speaker 1: you have a sixteen member practice squad, it's not ideal, 657 00:36:02,400 --> 00:36:05,000 Speaker 1: you know. And what's the disappointing thing here is you 658 00:36:05,120 --> 00:36:09,480 Speaker 1: got starting quarterbacks and their teams are jockey and for seatings, 659 00:36:09,520 --> 00:36:12,239 Speaker 1: and this can happen. And I'm concerned when we get 660 00:36:12,239 --> 00:36:14,680 Speaker 1: to Christmas. Now the Cardinals are playing on Christmas, but 661 00:36:14,719 --> 00:36:17,160 Speaker 1: there's going to be a spread there. And what happens 662 00:36:17,239 --> 00:36:19,640 Speaker 1: when we get to the postseason. It doesn't matter who 663 00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:21,840 Speaker 1: the players, you just have a number. And if you 664 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:25,839 Speaker 1: test positive people, well they would move the game. If 665 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:28,560 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes got you know, COVID and the Super Bowl 666 00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:33,040 Speaker 1: to a Tuesday, No, that's not happening. So it's almost 667 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:36,080 Speaker 1: worse than last year. And here we thought making progress 668 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:38,760 Speaker 1: And I'm not complaining. I'm very fortunate we get tested 669 00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:41,680 Speaker 1: every day. We are a mask right now. But I 670 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:44,080 Speaker 1: just want to let everyone know that it's difficult for 671 00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:47,840 Speaker 1: the NFL to cancel games. Last year was easier because 672 00:36:47,880 --> 00:36:49,600 Speaker 1: there was no fans. They want to make sure the 673 00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:54,040 Speaker 1: fans enjoy the experience. It is something that is not 674 00:36:54,160 --> 00:36:56,799 Speaker 1: going away. We talk a lot about, you know, the 675 00:36:56,920 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 1: successful teams in the postseason, Those teams on a run 676 00:37:00,719 --> 00:37:03,600 Speaker 1: get to the Super Bowl. Not always the most talented, 677 00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:06,960 Speaker 1: but they're the most healthy and to a certain extent. 678 00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:11,040 Speaker 1: In twenty twenty one, a lot of luck perhaps as 679 00:37:11,080 --> 00:37:14,680 Speaker 1: well going to go into who survives what happens once 680 00:37:14,719 --> 00:37:17,719 Speaker 1: those seven teams in each conference get decided as far 681 00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:20,920 Speaker 1: as the playoffs are concerned. Speaking of which, in the NFC, 682 00:37:21,080 --> 00:37:24,040 Speaker 1: we know the Cardinals right now, the three seed Packers, 683 00:37:24,040 --> 00:37:27,120 Speaker 1: the one seed Buccaneers, the two seed Cowboys. Only a 684 00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:30,319 Speaker 1: game back at the four spots. So those are your 685 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:34,480 Speaker 1: four division leaders right now. Packers this week at Baltimore, 686 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:38,560 Speaker 1: there is a chance I did hear Jim Harbaugh should 687 00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:41,560 Speaker 1: be John Harbaugh say that Lamar Jackson has a chance 688 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:44,680 Speaker 1: to play in that game to spite and ankle injury. 689 00:37:44,920 --> 00:37:48,920 Speaker 1: Buccaneers are home to the Saints and the Cowboys are 690 00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:51,439 Speaker 1: on the road at the Giants. And a quick note, 691 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:54,040 Speaker 1: the Saints are going to be without Sean Payton. He 692 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:57,080 Speaker 1: is just recently tested positive for COVID nineteen, so in 693 00:37:57,080 --> 00:38:02,000 Speaker 1: New Orleans without their head coach on Sunday. Yeah, and 694 00:38:02,200 --> 00:38:04,400 Speaker 1: you know, since Brady's beaten been there that I think 695 00:38:04,440 --> 00:38:06,200 Speaker 1: they beat them three out of the last four times. Now, 696 00:38:06,239 --> 00:38:09,920 Speaker 1: clearly they beat them in the postseason last year to 697 00:38:09,960 --> 00:38:12,359 Speaker 1: allow them to go to Green Bay and knock off 698 00:38:12,360 --> 00:38:16,080 Speaker 1: the Packers. Their defense has been really much better than 699 00:38:16,120 --> 00:38:17,799 Speaker 1: people can give them credit for it. But you know, 700 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:22,520 Speaker 1: obviously Tampa, they have an easy schedule. They got now 701 00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:25,360 Speaker 1: the Saints are division teams, so the games should be 702 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:29,160 Speaker 1: closer than people probably anticipate. Then they got Carolina. They 703 00:38:29,160 --> 00:38:32,200 Speaker 1: got the Jets in Carolina so they could run the table. 704 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:35,160 Speaker 1: So whatever their record is now that you can add 705 00:38:35,360 --> 00:38:38,879 Speaker 1: possibly four more wins again, we'll see what happens. I'm 706 00:38:38,960 --> 00:38:42,840 Speaker 1: rooting for the Ravens. I'm rooting for the Seahawks, you know, 707 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:46,920 Speaker 1: I'm rooting for teams that you know, obviously can dictate 708 00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:49,600 Speaker 1: where the Cardinals seatings are not rooting. I'm pulling for 709 00:38:49,640 --> 00:38:51,600 Speaker 1: those teams, don't I don't root for other teams, so 710 00:38:51,640 --> 00:38:54,680 Speaker 1: to speak. I'm pulling for those teams to possibly win, 711 00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:57,680 Speaker 1: and maybe the best chance would be the Baltimore Ravens. 712 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:05,400 Speaker 1: You look at these maining four games, Packers, Ravens, Browns, Vikings, Lions, 713 00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:08,640 Speaker 1: those three mean I would say two and a half 714 00:39:08,680 --> 00:39:11,040 Speaker 1: to three. I mean, Minnesota's still in the thick of things. 715 00:39:11,080 --> 00:39:13,600 Speaker 1: Their defense looks like they're back. Cousins doesn't make a 716 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:16,800 Speaker 1: lot of mistakes. Cleveland's fighting for their life. They're probably 717 00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:19,560 Speaker 1: gonna get Baker back, and then the Lions, I mean, 718 00:39:19,640 --> 00:39:22,480 Speaker 1: obviously they should wrap that up. All right. Here are 719 00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:27,880 Speaker 1: the Buccaneers, Saints, Panthers, Jets, Panthers. So two games against 720 00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:31,279 Speaker 1: the Panthers only, well, two games against the Panthers, one 721 00:39:31,360 --> 00:39:33,640 Speaker 1: on the road, one at home. So yeah, their real 722 00:39:33,719 --> 00:39:37,640 Speaker 1: big test is coming up this weekend. Yeah, and Panthers 723 00:39:37,640 --> 00:39:41,440 Speaker 1: are going with a platoon system, so Todd Bowles be 724 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:45,000 Speaker 1: ready for both guys, trust me, PJ. Walker and Cam Newton. 725 00:39:45,239 --> 00:39:50,280 Speaker 1: All right. Here are the Cowboys, Giants, Washington, Cardinals, Eagles. 726 00:39:50,719 --> 00:39:53,480 Speaker 1: Now that last one at Philadelphia, but if the Cardinals 727 00:39:53,520 --> 00:39:57,320 Speaker 1: can win that game in Dallas on January second, which 728 00:39:57,320 --> 00:40:00,480 Speaker 1: reminds me again that kickoff has been moved. It's longer 729 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:03,520 Speaker 1: than eleven am kickoff, it's two twenty five. Is Fox 730 00:40:03,600 --> 00:40:06,760 Speaker 1: moved that game? To the late window on January second, 731 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:10,399 Speaker 1: but that game could decide whether the Cardinals are the 732 00:40:10,440 --> 00:40:14,120 Speaker 1: three seed or the four seed depending on what happens 733 00:40:14,120 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 1: with the Packers and Buccaneers. So a lot to pay 734 00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:20,560 Speaker 1: attention to, of course, MJ. Your weekend is completely booked 735 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:25,360 Speaker 1: because you've got two games on Saturday before full slates 736 00:40:25,360 --> 00:40:28,600 Speaker 1: on Sunday. This might be your favorite time of the year, MJ. 737 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:32,000 Speaker 1: When you have NFL action on a Saturday in addition 738 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:34,800 Speaker 1: to a Sunday. Yeah, I love it. And the Cardinals 739 00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:36,520 Speaker 1: are going to be playing on Christmas, which would be 740 00:40:36,560 --> 00:40:38,799 Speaker 1: a Saturday this year. So we got Raiders six and 741 00:40:38,920 --> 00:40:42,000 Speaker 1: seven at the Browns seven and six, and then we 742 00:40:42,080 --> 00:40:44,600 Speaker 1: got the Patriots nine and four against the seven and 743 00:40:44,680 --> 00:40:47,240 Speaker 1: six Colts. I'll we do some scouting on the Colts 744 00:40:47,239 --> 00:40:50,680 Speaker 1: because the Cardinals play them the next time next game. 745 00:40:51,480 --> 00:40:54,319 Speaker 1: I love it. So an opportunity for Mike Drecki to 746 00:40:54,360 --> 00:40:57,280 Speaker 1: do some scouting, the Cardinals coaches to do some scouting, 747 00:40:57,320 --> 00:41:01,120 Speaker 1: but then on the back end shot week for the 748 00:41:01,160 --> 00:41:04,719 Speaker 1: Cardinals to prepare. The Colts don't have that luxury. You'll 749 00:41:04,719 --> 00:41:07,640 Speaker 1: be a quote unquote normal week for them, going from 750 00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:12,560 Speaker 1: Saturday to Saturday. Cardinals Sunday to Saturday. The one differences 751 00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:15,840 Speaker 1: Cardinals are not traveling. The Colts do have to travel. 752 00:41:15,960 --> 00:41:17,399 Speaker 1: So I guess at the end of the day, MJ, 753 00:41:17,880 --> 00:41:19,719 Speaker 1: that kind of evens things out when you look at 754 00:41:19,760 --> 00:41:24,480 Speaker 1: that matchup next week. Not talking about this weekend though, correct. 755 00:41:24,600 --> 00:41:26,640 Speaker 1: So I'll do a little scouting, and I think it's 756 00:41:26,640 --> 00:41:29,319 Speaker 1: all going to be about Jonathan Taylor, And I don't 757 00:41:29,320 --> 00:41:32,520 Speaker 1: know if people give their defense enough credit. And you know, 758 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:35,480 Speaker 1: Carson Wentz, he's done a nice job, and they got 759 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:38,040 Speaker 1: a really good offensive line. They really invest it in 760 00:41:38,120 --> 00:41:40,239 Speaker 1: that offensive line, and I think, you know, I don't 761 00:41:40,280 --> 00:41:42,640 Speaker 1: know if he gets enough credit. But Frank Wright is 762 00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:45,160 Speaker 1: a really good coach and he's another guy that goes 763 00:41:45,160 --> 00:41:49,239 Speaker 1: forward on fourth down. Should be a great weekend. I 764 00:41:49,320 --> 00:41:52,239 Speaker 1: love it, MJ. You bring it full circle here on 765 00:41:52,480 --> 00:41:57,160 Speaker 1: Cardinals cover two. Week fifteen, Cardinals at the Lions. Is 766 00:41:57,200 --> 00:42:00,239 Speaker 1: this the week that the Cardinals punch their tick to 767 00:42:00,239 --> 00:42:03,919 Speaker 1: the postseason, get that eleventh win of the season, their 768 00:42:04,040 --> 00:42:08,200 Speaker 1: eighth win away from State Farm Stadium? Hopefully that is 769 00:42:08,239 --> 00:42:12,040 Speaker 1: the case again. Eleven am is the kickoff six thirty am. 770 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:16,120 Speaker 1: Pregame covers begins on the Arizona Cardinals Radio Network. And 771 00:42:16,440 --> 00:42:18,239 Speaker 1: on that note, we will put a lid on this 772 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:21,440 Speaker 1: edition of Cardinals Cover two presented by Hunday, proud partner 773 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:24,560 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals. As always, special thanks to our 774 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:28,480 Speaker 1: executive producer Jim Amahundro or Mike Jarecki. I'm Craig Rio Loop. 775 00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:31,080 Speaker 1: We'll talk to you next time you're on Cardinals Cover 776 00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:31,399 Speaker 1: two