Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals backup guards shine on Monday night

By Scott Allen

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his first quarter touchdown with guard Earl Watford (78) against the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his first quarter touchdown with guard Earl Watford (78) against the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals lost their two starting guards but that didn’t matter much on Monday night

When the Arizona Cardinals lost both of their starting guards on the offensive line against the San Francisco 49ers 10 days ago, the future sure didn’t appear too bright.  However backup guards Earl Watford and John Wetzel have changed that narrative, at least for now.

Both Watford and Wetzel played well in relief against the 49ers.  They continued what they started last week on Monday night against the New York Jets in the 28-3 victory.

On the Cardinals second offensive series of the evening, running back David Johnson went down the left side of the field for a 58-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive.  He was set free in part thanks to Watford.

Yes, Johnson had help from his receivers as well, however it was Watford getting it done downfield.  Johnson gave praise in his postgame ESPN on-field interview to both of them.

Replacing Evan Mathis and Mike Iupati isn’t easy.  Mathis is out for the season on injured reserve. Iupati was inactive on Monday night and is expected to miss a few weeks.

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Johnson rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries.  The Jets have one of the better defensive lines in the NFL, so it was no surprise that Johnson had a little trouble for awhile finding big holes after the long touchdown run.

Both guards will need to continue to get better though.  They have a tough stretch of games coming up.  They face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night next week.  Then it is off to face the Carolina Panthers.  With a bye week and a return trip to Arizona by the 49ers afterwards, then the Cardinals go on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

For now, no complaints.  You take what you can get and what the Cardinals have right now will do until Iupati is able to return.

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