Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts

Refocused. Redeemed. Rebound. The three R’s that describe the Cardinals after week two as they took down the Colts 16-13. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a must win. Teams that start the season 0-2 only have a 10% chance of making the playoffs. Now, the Red Birds have a date with the Cowboys on a national stage for Monday Night Football and both teams have a 1-1 record. As the Cardinals prepare to protect the nest in their first home game of the season, let’s preview the matchup in this edition of Talking Touchdowns.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys

Offense

The Cardinals offense got off to a slow start again in Week 2 but at least they woke up. Still without star running back David Johnson, Arizona re-signed Chris Johnson. In the crowded backfield, Johnson averaged four yards a carry. WR J.J. Nelson dazzled and put away five grabs for 120 yards and a touchdown. I am sure he carried some of you to a fantasy victory this week. But this team will live and die by Carson Palmer. He has to do a better job all around.

Now for the Cowboys, the Broncos shut down their running game and held them to 40 total rushing yards. Running Back Ezekiel Elliot, the 1600 yard rusher from last season, was held to eight yards. Now, with the threat of a suspension looming over Zekes’ head, if he plays, I expect a bounce back week for him and QB Dak Prescott.

Defense:

I have been pleased with the Cardinals defense each week. Outside linebacker Chandler Jones has been a constant force when rushing the QB. He had two sacks, a hit, three hurries, forced a fumble and, to top it off, had six tackles. He is my secret weapon on defense.

For the Cowboys, the whole defensive line didn’t show up in Denver allowing CJ Anderson and Jamaal Charles to rush for 178 yards. I just hope they keep sleeping in Glendale.

Game Prediction

Grab your popcorn and get ready for Monday Night Football, as I predict Cardinals over Cowboys score of 24-21.

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Photo Credits:

• Carson Palmer on flickr by FF Swami
• Larry Fitzgerald on flickr by Brook Ward
• Arizona Cardinals Pre-game on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Arizona Cardinals Stadiumon Wikimedia Commons by Ixnayonthetimmay
• Carson Palmer Huddle on Flickr by FF Swami
• Cardinals Wide Receivers on Flickr by FF Swami
• Colts Logo on Wikimedia Commons by Baltimore Colts
• Colts on Wikimedia Commons by Indianapolis Colts 
• Colts Stadium on Flickr by Josh Hallett
• Haason Reddick on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• John Wetzel on Wikimedia Commons byJeffrey Beall
• Kerwynn Williams on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Jamaal Charles on Wikimedia Commons by Jeffrey Beall
• Football Yardlines on Flickr by Giovanni Arteaga
• Cowboys on Wikimedia Commons by Dallas CowboysCowboys star on Wikimedia Commons by Opertinicy
• Dak Prescott on flickr by Keith Allison
• Ezekiel Elliott on Wikimedia Commons by Keith Allison