Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns: Preview, prediction
The Arizona Cardinals travel to the North Coast for their third straight AFC North showdown facing the Cleveland Browns.
The Arizona Cardinals are travelling to the Ohio to take on the Cleveland Browns.. The Browns (2-5) are coming off of a loss against an up and down St. Louis Rams team, 24-6. The Arizona Cardinals (5-2) survived a last second scare on Monday Night Football against an under performing Baltimore Ravens team 26-18.
History: The Cardinals and the Browns have faced each other 5 times in the regular season, and the Cardinals played 23 of these games as the St. Louis Cardinals and 20 of these games as the Chicago Cardinals. The Arizona Cardinals have an all time 13-33-3 record against the Cleveland Browns. The latest win against the Browns came in Week 15 of the 2011 season. The Arizona Cardinals won in an overtime thriller at home by a score of 20-17,
What: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
When: 10:00 AM Arizona Time (1:00 PM EST)
TV: ESPN and ABC 15
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
Keys to victory:
A late fourth quarter special teams error and poor clock management gave the Baltimore Ravens a second chance to take the game into overtime in a contest most people thought was over when John Smokey Brown scored a fourth quarter touchdown pass. While they still edged out with a win, they need to keep the foot on the gas until the clock reads triple zeroes.
Palmer should have no problem facing an unimpressive Browns defense. With Browns star quarterback Joe Haden making his return after missing the last 2 weeks with a concussion, Palmer should not hesitate to throw in his direction. With the way the offensive line has been playing, giving up only 2 sacks last week, Palmer should have plenty of time to find receivers and move the offense down the field.
Chris Johnson had one of his best games as an Arizona Cardinal and torched the Ravens for 122 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Cardinals should hand the ball to Johnson and the rest of the running backs as often as possible. With the Browns ranked last in run defense, Chris Johnson should be leading the league in rushing yards by the end of this week. Establish the run, win the game.
The Browns should also have their hands full with Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd running routes. With each receiver occupying a corner and safety’s attention one of the others is bound to be open. Fitzgerald is currently tied for first with touchdown receptions with 6, John Brown has accumulated 261 receiving yards in the past 2 weeks alone, and Michael Floyd is finally finding his groove in the offense. It should be a very prosperous day for the Arizona Cardinals receiving corp.
Plus, I am sure the whole offense, at the request of the defense, want former Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby to regret his decision to leave the Arizona Cardinals for Cleveland last offense.