Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals host disappointing Oakland Raiders

By Scott Allen

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals leaps past a defender in the first half at O.co Coliseum on October 19, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals leaps past a defender in the first half at O.co Coliseum on October 19, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Defensive tackle Sheldon Day #96 and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers tackle running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Defensive tackle Sheldon Day #96 and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers tackle running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The matchups

The Cardinals offense seems to be getting better, although they only put together two scoring drives against the Kansas City Chiefs last week in a 26-14 loss.  They were long drives with some really good play calling. Running back David Johnson got 28 touches last week.

Now they need consistency.  The Raiders pass rush wasn’t what it once was without Kahlil Mack but if you listened to Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks this week, he still believes the Raiders have a formidable defensive line.

The Cardinals offensive line against that Raiders defensive line will be key this week.  The Cardinals offensive line is hurting.  They just put Justin Pugh on injured reserve this week and Mike Iupati, D.J. Humphries, and Jeremy Vujnovich are all nursing injuries.

With Iupati and Humphries game day decisions, who knows who will be out there for sure on Sunday?  Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen will once again likely be hurried into getting rid of the ball.

The other matchup will be Raiders quarterback Derek Carr against the Cardinals secondary.  There will be no Budda Baker but Patrick Peterson is still dangerous.  Tre Boston could also have a big day.

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