TEMPE — The Washington Commanders’ defense presents a prime opportunity for quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals passing game to bounce back in a big way Sunday, with or without tight end Trey McBride.
That will happen when you’ve allowed 255.7 yards per game, the second-most in the NFL, and a league-leading nine passing touchdowns through three weeks.
But while Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. and the rest of the Cardinals’ aerial attack should be chomping at the bit against the Commanders’ defense, it’s the running game that really needs to set the tone and impact the tilt Sunday.
One of the biggest problems with Arizona’s offense in last week’s 20-23 loss to the Detroit Lions was its inability to establish a running game.
While quarterback Kyler Murray accounted for 45 of the team’s 77 rushing yards, the ground attack was stagnant throughout Sunday’s action.
Instead of relying on them, the running game was abandoned as the Cardinals attempted a comeback through the air. Arizona didn’t run the football once in the fourth quarter, with Murray dropping back to pass 18 times in three drives.
Starter James Conner has been particularly quiet, having just nine carries for 17 yards and an average of 1.9 yards per carry. Arizona is now 2-7 when the running back sees fewer than 10 carries in a game.
If the Cardinals want to come out Sunday with a win, getting the running game — and specifically Conner — back on track is a great place to start.
As we saw in the Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Rams – 231 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries – the Cardinals offense is at its best behind a menacing ground game.
Seeing the rushing attack return to its previous form also goes beyond Arizona’s offensive attack.
The Commanders’ offense enters Week 4 having scored on every full practice (13) over the past two weeks behind Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Do you remember it?
The duo ranks Washington sixth in total offense (360 yards per game), one spot ahead of Arizona (345.3).
In the two games the Commanders won, Washington held the advantage in the time of possession battle. The more time there is for rookie Jayden Daniels and the offense under Kingsbury, the better.
After showing off his running skills in Washington’s season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind for 88 yards and a couple touchdowns on 16 carries, the former Sun Devil showed steady improvement as a passer. the NFL.
He’s had back-to-back games of at least 225 passing yards and is coming off a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, where he completed 91 percent of his pass attempts.
For the Cardinals this week, it’s all about limiting Daniels’ chances of burning them.
The best way to proceed? Keep the ball out of his hands as much as possible.
This can be accomplished with an effective running game behind Conner against a mid-range run defense.
And if this clip is any indication of what’s to come, watch out.
I feel really bad for the sled.
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner makes every practice rep count. #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/Mjg6jkD3d0
-Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 26, 2024
A needed boost from Benson
Even though Conner is key to the running game’s success in 2024, getting the most out of rookie Trey Benson could help the rushing attack kick into high gear.
So far this year, Benson has been underutilized and disappointing behind for 31 yards on 16 carries in three games played.
The flow of the game and the game plan had an impact on Benson’s early NFL career. But if he can get on track and play a more consistent change-of-pace role, Arizona could find another gear offensively.
“He’ll continue to prepare like he has, and he’ll have his touch,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday.
