Arizona Cardinals: 5 bold predictions vs Tampa Bay

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates a tackle in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates a tackle in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals defense will not allow Bucs to go 10-16 on third down conversions

Last week against the New England Patriots, the Cardinals defense allowed them to run all over the field.  More specifically, they couldn’t get the Patriots offense off the field.

The Patriots went 10-16 on third down conversions last week.  You aren’t going to going to win many games in the NFL when you are allowing an offense to do that to you.

This week against the Bucs, the Cardinals defense still has a test facing their offense.  However something tells me you aren’t going to see 10-16 happen again.

A big key to this will be the Cardinals ability to rush the quarterback.  They only blitzed 22 percent of the time last week against the Patriots.

The Cardinals will also need to tackle and avoid penalty to make this prediction a reality.  It is easier said than done.  Hopefully just seven days were needed to fix this issue

Keeping the Bucs offense off the field also gives the defense some rest.  That last thing the Cardinals need is a tired defense on the field in the fourth quarter of a tight game.

Schedule