Raising Zona
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Getting Defensive: Arizona Cardinals, Week 10

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Nose tackle Rodney Gunter #95 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals and Seahawks tied 6-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Nose tackle Rodney Gunter #95 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals and Seahawks tied 6-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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After a strong performance in San Francisco, the Arizona Cardinals’ defense looks to keep the momentum going against another division foe at home on Thursday Night Football

What wonders a bye week can do for a struggling team. After seven games of inept play on defense, the Cardinals looked like a bunch of angry birds, flying to the ball and getting after the quarterback.

They allowed only 10 points to the 49ers and hit C.J. Beathard 16 times. Essentially eliminating the run game, Beathard threw an astounding 51 times, completing 24 passes for 294 yards. He was also sacked 5 times.

Arizona had contributions from just about everyone. Karlos Dansby had a sack and an interception, which put him in the rare 40-20 club. Chandler Jones had another sack, totaling 9 on the year. And Tyvon Branch was once again all over the field, making 10 tackles on the day — 69 combined for the year.

Defensive coordinator James Bettcher was quite pleased with the execution as well, saying, “that looked like the Cardinals’ defense.”

Seahawks on a short week

On just three days of rest, the Cardinals’ defense will now turn their focus to the 5-3 Seattle Seahawks.

Despite a winning record, the Seahawks have issues of their own — none more so than the fact that they are the most penalized team in the league. Through 8 games, they have been flagged 82 times. They also led the NFL in penalties in 2013-14.

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Against the Redskins this past Sunday, they had quite a few self-inflicting wounds. They committed 16 penalties, missed 3 field goals and Wilson threw 2 interceptions. So the Cardinals will look to take advantage of any mistakes made on Thursday.

They are currently ranked 19th in the NFL in rushing at 103 yards per game. However, their leading rusher this year is also their quarterback, Russell Wilson. He’s ran for 271 yards (5.9 yards/carry) and 1 TD. The Cardinals know they will have their hands full, whether that be by design or if he breaks contain.

As far as through the air, he’s thrown for 2,305 yards, 17 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. He’s completing 62 percent of his passes. Overall, the Seahawks are second in the league in passing yards (274 yards/game).

The Seahawks have relied heavily on Wilson this year. Stopping him will be key this Thursday if the Cardinals look to win this division match up at home. Under Bruce Arians, the Cardinals are 0-3-1 versus the Hawks at home. To get over .500 and keep their season alive, they will need to find a way to add a 1 to that record.

Fail to do so, and we can start talking about what draft pick they’ll be looking at next year.

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