Three questions facing the Arizona Cardinals in week six

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Members of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate after a play against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Members of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate after a play against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Will the running backs get going?

The running game showed flashes of brilliance, capped off with Chase Edmonds’ touchdown run. Kenyan Drake logged 60 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown of his own.

But Edmonds and Drake have been inconsistent in 2020, with the running game thriving in 2020 thanks to Murray and his 296 rushing yards, 7.2 yards per attempt, and 5 rushing touchdowns. Drake and Edmonds thus far combined for 409 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry, and 3 rushing touchdowns.

If the Cardinals expect to win on Monday night, they must get the running game going and play ball control football throughout to keep the Cowboys offense off the field. Even without Dak Prescott, the Cowboys are still loaded with stars at the skill position units alongside a capable backup in Andy Dalton.

Couple this with the fact the Cardinals have yet to find a viable replacement for Jones on the pass rush and weak play at the corners. Going ball control through the running game allows the Cardinals to control the tempo and minimize scoring opportunities for the Cowboys.

Drake’s inconsistency has hurt the Cards over the first five weeks, forcing Kyler Murray to throw more or to tuck it and run himself at times when he drops back. And while Drake has flashed, he has yet to become the back we expected at the beginning of the season.

dark. Next. Cardinals hurting at OLB

Some in the Red Sea are rumbling the Cardinals should hand the keys over to Chase Edmonds. Look for Edmonds to receive plenty of opportunities on Monday night. Especially if Drake struggles early in the contest.