Arizona Cardinals: What we learned in 2016

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January 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cardinals running game starts and ends with David Johnson

You wonder exactly where the Cardinals would be without running back David Johnson? It is a thought I’d rather not present. It’s not pretty.

If the Cardinals were a better team, Johnson would have easily been in the MVP race. As it was, Johnson finished with 1,239-yards rushing and also has 80 receptions for 879-yards. He had 16 touchdowns on the ground and four through the air.

That was the very reason why the Cardinals ran with Johnson in Los Angeles on Sunday. Johnson was there for his teammates and was there to see what he could do to add to his numbers.

A lot of fans complained about him playing in a game that meant nothing, at least standings-wise. The game did mean a lot to Johnson and the team however and that’s good enough for me.

Next season, will Andre Ellington still be around to back Johnson up? Hard to say, but it looks like Kerwynn Williams may be that guy. Williams had 60-yards in relief of Johnson on Sunday.

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