5 stats where Arizona Cardinals need to see improvement

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 11: Offensive tackle Korey Cunningham #79 of the Arizona Cardinals walks offsides the field during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 11: Offensive tackle Korey Cunningham #79 of the Arizona Cardinals walks offsides the field during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles tight end Ricky Seals-Jones #86 of the Arizona Cardinals for a stop on the third down in the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams tackles tight end Ricky Seals-Jones #86 of the Arizona Cardinals for a stop on the third down in the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Third down conversions

The only number you need to really know from last season for the Cardinals on third downs is 29.1 percent.  That is their third down conversion rate in 2018.

If you believe that’s bad, you’d be right.  It was the worst in the NFL last season.  They were the only team to finish under 30 percent on third downs.  The Miami Dolphins were 31st in the NFL at 30.1 percent.

The Indianapolis Colts were tops on third down conversions last season at 48.6 percent.  While we can’t expect that great of an improvement in 2019, maybe the should shoot for meeting in the middle?

The middle last season was the Los Angeles Chargers who were 16th at 39.5 percent.  Approaching 40 percent would certainly go a long way to putting more points on the board.

At the very least it would slow down opponent scoring.  For the record, Cardinals opponents converted at 38 percent last season.