3 Key matchups for the Arizona Cardinals week two tilt
By Sion Fawkes
Cardinals Receivers Versus Washington’s Corners
Someone in the Cardinals receiving unit needs to step up if they want to keep Washington’s corners off of Hopkins’ back.
As mentioned, Hopkins’ debut in a Cardinals uniform went better than anyone could have hoped. He logged 14 receptions for 151 yards against one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Now Hopkins and company get to face a dynamic set of corners in Kendall Fuller, Ronald Darby, Jimmy Moreland, and Fabian Moreau.
And while Washington entered the season with low expectations throughout the league, their corners are one of their defense’s strengths, next to perhaps their defensive line.
Washington picked off Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz twice in the season opener and they shut down the Eagles pass-catching unit throughout the second half.
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals passing game failed to light up the league in Week 1 when Hopkins is taken out of the equation.
In fact, Murray’s numbers outside of the chemistry he made with Hopkins should make anyone cringe. Murray finished just 12 for 24 for 79 yards and just 3.29 yards per pass attempt when targeting pass catchers other than Hopkins.
This needs to change on Sunday if the Cardinals want to duplicate the success they had in Week 1. Washington boasts a defense that can hang with anyone in the NFL as they proved last Sunday.
And a huge reason behind their stingy defense sits with their corners.
Hopkins will create separation and get open. He will get his numbers. But against a unit Washington has in the defensive backfield someone, anyone, needs to take the pressure off.