Arizona Cardinals star David Johnson finally returned to his workhorse ways this past Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs
If they hadn’t known any better, fans of the Arizona Cardinals may have thought that it was 2016 all over again. All throughout the current campaign, the team’s faithful followers had been waiting for the old David Johnson to emerge. It took until the ninth game of the 2018 schedule, but those who remained patient were finally rewarded.
The Cardinals’ multi-talented running back regained his old form this past Sunday during the club’s 26-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson put on an offensive display that had been missing from the scoring attack all season. New coordinator Byron Leftwich made the 6’1, 224 pounder the focal point of the gameplan, and the strategy almost led to the the biggest upset of ’18.
Johnson navigated through the Kansas City defense, accumulating 98 yards on the ground and 85 yards through the air. The former third-round draft pick scored twice, including a touchdown on the opening drive. Johnson has now reached the end zone eight times this year, and has 41 scores total during his four-year NFL career.
Besides his crossing the goal line early on, Johnson also reached paydirt in the third quarter. Leftwich finally unveiled a scheme that worked to Johnson’s strengths. Get him the football out in space and let the former University of Northern Iowa product do what he does best.
Johnson’s excellent outing gave the Cardinals’ offense a much-needed lift. Despite the fact that the unit managed just 14 points, there were opportunities for more. Both of the squad’s scoring marches were well-executed, 12-play drives.
If the Cards continue to use Johnson as a workhorse, good things are bound to happen. It’s too bad that the coaching staff couldn’t figure that out much, much sooner. Perhaps the team could’ve been in a much more respectable position right now if they had.