Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals: Last two games business as usual

By Scott Allen

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead (35), free safety Earl Thomas (29) and cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) defend during overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback DeShawn Shead (35), free safety Earl Thomas (29) and cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) defend during overtime at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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With two games still remaining, the Arizona Cardinals need to treat them like any other game

They are out of the playoffs, but the Arizona Cardinals still have two more games to finish up the 2016 regular season.  They travel to face the Seattle Seahawks this Saturday and then finish with the Los Angeles Rams on January 1st.

Head coach Bruce Arians has indicated they are still playing to win.  He isn’t going to sit anyone just because there is nothing on the line.

While some think it would be a good idea to sit guys like David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald and it isn’t a bad idea, however the Cardinals would be better served to the NFL and its fans if the two played.

Now they may not play the entire game.  I would look for the Cardinals to get guys like Andre Ellington and Kerwynn Williams more involved.

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The Cardinals would love nothing more than to spoil Christmas for the Seahawks.  Beating them could damage their hopes of getting the number two seed in the NFC playoffs and getting that coveted number two seed, something the Cardinals enjoyed last season.

Certainly you always worry about injury.  However the chances are always there.  You can’t play not to get hurt or more times than not that is what actually ends up happening.  Being too careful can make you lose focus.

Even though it is certainly no consolation to the team or the fans, the Cardinals still have yet to clinch second place in the NFC West.  If they finish in second, the would play the second-place teams in the NFC South and NFC North next season.  Right now, that is Tampa Bay and Green Bay.

You will see a lot of guys get time that normally wouldn’t.  However as Arians pointed out, there really are no young guys to play.  That’s because they already are playing out of necessity. Brandon Williams anyone?

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