Arizona Cardinals: Traveling east for battle of the birds in Week 15
By Larry Brake
The Arizona Cardinals try to get another road victory in week 15 as they travel East to battle the Atlanta Falcons
The Arizona Cardinals have won three games in the 2018 season. Two of their victories have been wins on the road in San Francisco and Green Bay. Can the Redbirds get their third road victory on Sunday as they face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15?
Arizona heads out east to face the Falcons. Both teams have struggled throughout the season to find any consistency. Atlanta has won four games but have lost five straight. The Cardinals might have caught the Falcons at a good time. Defensively, the Falcons are giving up an average of 255.7 passing yards per game and 131.2 rushing yards per game. David Johnson could have a big game.
Johnson has had a good season considering how the Cardinals season has played out. He has rushed for 810 yards for an average of 3.7 yards per rushing attempt. On the receiving side, Johnson has caught 43 passes for 340 yards and averages 7.9 yards per reception.
Hopefully the Cardinals offensive line will be able to create running lanes for Johnson. Most of all, the line must protect Josh Rosen. He has been sacked 29 times this season. Remember, the game will be won in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Arizona must constantly pressure the Falcons quarterback. Matt Ryan has been sacked 38 times. The Cardinals defense has recorded 39 sacks this season. Robert Nkemdiche is officially finished for 2018 due to injury. He was placed on the injured reserve list this week. Arizona will miss the pass rush that Nkemdiche gave each game.
Expect Chandler Jones to add to his season sacks total. Jones is sixth in the NFL with twelve. He has forced three fumbles and has made a combined total of 40 tackles. Jones needs to lead the rush to Ryan.
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The Redbirds have struggled to win games at home but seem to feel at ease on the road. In this version of the Battle of the Birds, Arizona has a good chance to win if they play smart and do not turn over the ball.