If expectations weren’t high enough for the Arizona Cardinals this season, things are going to get even tougher as they look to build their first winning streak of 2020.
To some, the Arizona Cardinals aren’t expected to do much in 2020. They weren’t supposed to beat the reigning NFC Champions on the road for the season opener. Kyler Murray wasn’t supposed to get away from Nick Bosa and their defense. And the defense wasn’t supposed to get the stop at the end of the game for the win.
They fell behind 10-0 and things looked bleak early on. But they fought back, and Kyler Murray showed the NFL world that his MVP mentions aren’t just a fantasy, but a reality for the second year quarterback.
Kyler and Co. will look to follow up the upset at home, as they face off against the Washington Football Team in Glendale on Sunday. Washington defeated the the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. A game in which their defense only allowed 57 yards rushing and 208 yards passing. Carson Wentz was also sacked 8 times, as Ryan Kerrigan and rookie Chase Young dominated the battered up offensive line. The nameless team looked like a hungry bunch looking to establish a name of their own against a division opponent.
The Cardinals will look to combat that pass rush with their high-flying offense after putting up 404 yards of total offense against the Niners. Murray finished the day with 230 yards passing, 91 yards rushing and two total touchdowns. WR DeAndre Hopkins will look to also follow up his Cards debut after catching a career-high 14 passes for 151 yards. Certainly an established rapport for the new duo.
Entering Week 2, the Cardinals have won their season opener, are over .500, and in first place in their respective division, for the first time since 2015. If they want to keep riding this momentum, they’ll need to filter out the extra attention, welcome the adversity and just play Cardinal football. The sky will truly be the limit for the Red Birds.
Again, to some, they aren’t supposed to be a playoff contender. To some … but not the Arizona Cardinals.