Arizona Cardinals: 3 Matchups to Watch vs. Rams
By Shaun Church
CB Patrick Peterson vs. WR Tavon Austin
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) offers a thumbs up against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Two top-10 picks go at it this week in Peterson and Austin. The Rams standout receiver has become an outside receiver this season, playing a career-low 17.7 percent of his snaps from the slot, according to PFF.
That means he and Peterson will see plenty of each other throughout the action.
Arizona’s secondary has played extremely well this season, allowing two touchdowns and picking off five passes. The table below shows how dominant they have been.
Now we know why defensive coordinator James Bettcher was comfortable taking three true cornerbacks into the season instead of the typical four or five. He has supreme confidence in his corners for good reason—they are one of the best groups in football.
Austin will move all over the place, but Peterson won’t shade him. But keep an eye on that matchup, because when two of the best athletes in the game to head-to-head, big things are sure to happen.
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