This one just seems like a gimme, doesn’t it? Arizona hasn’t
been much of a threat at all despite reaching Super Bowl XLIII in the 2008
season. Alas, I can assure you that this game will be much closer than what the
numbers will tell us right now.
Two words: Larry
Fitzgerald.
This guy could have
Ryan Leaf chucking up lame ducks all season, and he’d still find a way to pull
in 90/1,500/10 by Week 17. If that’s not bad enough, the Cardinals drafted WR
Michael Floyd with the 13th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Even if he is just an above-average wideout, Fitzgerald should be occupying at
least 2 defenders all day, allowing Floyd to be open on many key plays. Hell,
even Early Doucet has developed into a solid 3rd option
receiver, and could prove to be vital to Arizona’s gameplan.
Defending against the pass will be a chief concern for the
New England Secondary, despite facing the unproven Kevin Kolb at quarterback.
Observing the way the secondary line of defense plays all receivers Sunday will
give those still weary of New England’s DBs a bit of insight on how this season
will play out for that unit. Having a consistent pass rush today will
ultimately dictate the success of the secondary.
I’m going against the grain here: I project this one to be
much closer than most media pundits have predicted. Despite the threats
Arizona’s defense possesses, New England walks away from this one holding their
collective breath. The Patriots will enter Week 3 unscathed at 2-0.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Cardinals 24. (2-0)
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