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3 reasons the Arizona Cardinals will win in Week 1 – 2022

By Sion Fawkes

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 27: Greg Dortch #83 of the Arizona Cardinals returns a kick off during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 27: Greg Dortch #83 of the Arizona Cardinals returns a kick off during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Cardinals 26-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals start off the 2022 NFL Season against the Kansas City Chiefs. And they can win this game. Here are three reasons why.

While it is true the Arizona Cardinals are underdogs versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL Season, they have the talent to hang with one of the NFL’s best teams. There are also a few strategies they can utilize to pull off the upset and start the season 1-0 for the third year running.

This game is a lot like the 2020 and 2021 openers, where the Cardinals, underdogs in both games, ended up knocking off the defending NFC Champions (49ers) and defeating the Tennessee Titans by four possessions, respectively. So it is not wishful thinking in believing they can make it three for three.

Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson (34) and strong safety Budda Baker (3) warm-up before playing against the Minnesota Vikings in Glendale, Ariz. Sept. 19, 2021.Cardinals Vs Vikings /

Three reasons the Arizona Cardinals can upset the Chiefs: Reason #1 – The dynamic duo at safety

While it’s true the Arizona Cardinals are weak at corner, they have one of the league’s most dynamic duos at safety. After extending Jalen Thompson, Arizona also has a content pairing ready to show they are the best in the NFL.

However, the Cardinals are weak at corner, and you can expect Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to target them early. Eventually, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will find ways to utilize his safety duo into confusing Mahomes, preferably with pressure coming from the defensive line and edge units.

Such pressure may allow Baker and Thompson to take over the game, and in doing so, could limit the Chiefs high-profile offense. It also helps to have two athletic inside linebackers like Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons to help keep tight end Travis Kelce at bay. But it will start with Baker and Thompson preventing Mahomes from going over the top and using that electric arm of his.

If the duo can step up and hold down their end of the deal, the Cardinals have a chance here. And it is something they have accomplished time and again.

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