This week’s opponent is no pushover for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals could be put to the test this coming Sunday by a New York Giants team that has won four games in a row
After suffering three consecutive defeats, the Arizona Cardinals are in desperate need of a victory. Earlier this season, a week 14 matchup with the New York Giants looked like an extremely winnable one for the Redbirds. Things have changed, however, and it now looks as if this coming Sunday’s clash with their former NFC East rival could be much tougher than expected.
The Giants, after a miserable 1-7 start to the current campaign, have now won their last four contests. Last weekend, first-year head coach Joe Judge’s squad registered a 17-12 road victory over the 8-4 Seattle Seahawks. In the previous three weeks, the “G-men” registered wins over the Washington Football Team, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals as well.
A particularly impressive aspect of the triumph over Seattle was the fact that the Giants managed to pull off the upset with a backup quarterback under center. Colt McCoy, a 34-year old journeyman signal-caller, completed 13 of his 22 pass attempts for 105 yards and a touchdown versus Arizona’s divisional foe. But it wasn’t New York’s passing attack that guided the team past the Seahawks.
The Giants running game, led by fourth-year pro Wayne Gallman, gashed Seattle for 190 yards on the ground. The 6’0, 216 pounder rumbled for 135 yards on just 16 carries, averaging an eye-popping 8.4 yards per rushing attempt. Alfred Morris, the 31-year old who had a cup of coffee with the Cards last year, added another 45 yards of total offense and a couple of touchdowns for New York.
Defensively, New York was outstanding against the Seahawks and MVP-candidate Russell Wilson. Seattle wasn’t able to reach the end zone until there were just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Giants forced two turnovers, and were also able to sack the elusive Wilson five times.
Cardinals still a rising team despite setbacks. dark. Next
What looked like a possible cakewalk just a few weeks ago has suddenly turned into a difficult challenge for Kingsbury’s Cardinals. A loss this weekend would put an end to the franchise’s playoff aspirations for 2020. The Giants have transformed into a team that is more than capable of putting an end to Arizona’s postseason hopes.