Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) avoids diving Indianapolis Colts safety LaRon Landry (30) in the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals look every bit the part the team in contention for a playoff spot, as the team has gotten off to a fast start both offensively and defensively. The Cardinal offense scored on the opening drive of 80 yards capped off with a Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald fade route in the back of the end zone.
Quarterback Carson Palmer getting off to a fast start passing the ball, and picking apart the Colts defense at 15/20 191 yards and 2 touchdowns to the great Larry Fitzgerald.
The running game is also making it difficult for the Colts to stop the Cardinal offense with both Rashard Mendenhall and Andre Ellington are running hard racking up 94 yards on 13 carries and that is setting up the passing game to get big chunks down field to Michael Floyd and company.
This looks all to familiar for the Colts getting off to a slow start and that means we will see them step it up in the second half as they always do, right now they the Cardinals are up 27-3 at the half.
The Cardinals defense usually gets stronger in the second half and do not allow much in the third quarter, let’s see if the defense can continue to make Lucks day not so lucky, where the Cardinals defense have forced Luck to throw for only 42 yards on 6 of 15 and 1 pick.
Look for the Cardinals to keep attacking as Coach Bruce Arians wants nothing more than to beat his old team and he wants to beat them soundly, the defense has to do what they have done all year long and that is stop the opposing team in th second half with shut down defense.