Arizona Cardinals secondary will face a stiff challenge in Week 9

The Arizona Cardinals cover guys will need to be up to the task when D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett invade State Farm Stadium. 

All throughout the offseason, those in the know believed that the Arizona Cardinals would struggle to defend the pass. Byron Murphy had played well during his first three years in the NFL, but the remaining Cards cover guys were loaded with question marks.

We’re now nine weeks into the season, and Arizona’s much-maligned cornerbacks are proving the naysayers wrong. Murphy, along with Marco Wilson and Antonio Hamilton, have more than held their own against some of the league’s best wide receivers. This coming Sunday, the Cardinals secondary will face another stern test.

Coming into town are D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the Seattle Seahawks dynamic duo at the wideout position. Will the Redbirds’ defensive backs be up to the challenge that lies ahead?

One of professional football’s biggest surprises this season has been Seattle’s passing attack. Geno Smith, a journeyman quarterback, has been an impressive replacement for nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson. In fact, Metcalf and Lockett haven’t missed a beat with the 32-year-old under center.

Metcalf and Lockett will challenge the Arizona Cardinals cornerbacks

Through eight games, the 5 foot 10, 182 pound Lockett has hauled in 46 passes for 531 yards and three touchdowns. Metcalf, a 6 foot 4, 235 pounder, has tallied 37 receptions, 473 receiving yards and three scores. What can Cards defensive coordinator Vance Joseph do to deal with that kind of firepower?

Actually, a repeat of what Arizona’s coverage units did back in Week 6 would be just fine. Murphy and company did an outstanding job of keeping the Seahawks’ talented pass-catchers in check during the Cardinals’ 19-9 loss. Metcalf caught just two passes for 34 yards, while Lockett was credited with two receptions for a measly 17 yards.

Murphy, a 24-year-old who’ll be a free agent in 2023, is having a career year. The 5 foot 11, 190 pounder has thrived in the role of a number-one cornerback. Murphy has been magnificent versus the likes of Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp and A.J. Brown thus far in 2022.

After struggling as a rookie, Wilson has taken a significant step forward this fall. Hamilton has bounced back nicely from a freak cooking accident that sidelined the veteran for the first four matchups of the current campaign.

The Cards are facing what is shaping up to be a “must” win this coming weekend at home against Seattle. Putting the clamps on excellent receivers like Metcalf and Lockett could go a long way in helping the team triumph in this crucial NFC West matchup.

(Statistics provided by ESPN’s NFL Scores and Football Database)