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Examining Washington Football Team’s Week 2 opponent: Arizona Cardinals

By Jonathan Eig

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a failed series against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a failed series against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 13: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals runs after making a reception during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 24-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 13: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals runs after making a reception during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 24-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

Arizona’s offense

The Washington Football Team will have to contend with two elite talents on the Cardinals offense: second-year QB Kyler Murray and newly-acquired WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Murray is explosive. His combination of running and arm strength makes him look like the next Lamar Jackson. (And Jackson, let me remind you, has been on the scene for all of about 30 seconds). A good San Francisco defense could not stop him last Sunday. Were it not for kneel-downs at the end, Murray would have run for 100 yards.

But Murray’s throwing, despite the obvious arm talent, is still developing. He has not shown the ability to throw the long ball effectively. His yards per attempt against San Francisco was a paltry 5.75. Still, his ability to extend plays and gain yards with his legs makes him a very scary QB.

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The Cardinals used just two running backs against the 49ers. Lead back Kenyan Drake, whose career was resurrected by his trade to Arizona last season, is an effective runner. Not elite, but effective.

And Chase Edmonds is an exciting young runner who is earning himself more playing time. His 42-yard kickoff return against SF seemed ill-advised, but he made it work. Look for coach Kliff Kingsbury to employ both backs together on Sunday.

If you thought it would take time for Murray and Hopkins to develop rapport, well, how should I put this? It didn’t. Hopkins, a top-three receiver in the league, was targeted 16 times and hauled in 14 of the throws. Washington does not have a corner who can match up (few teams do), so coaches Del Rio and Harris will have to find ways to double up on D-Hop. And the best way to cover Hopkins is to make sure Murray has no time to throw.

Against SF, Arizona ran three wide-outs, one tight end, and one back most of the time. Hopkins’ two running mates are the young and talented Christian Kirk and the venerable Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitz may not scare anyone anymore, but you would take him on your team in a heartbeat. Arizona fans aren’t talking about any catches he made last Sunday, but they are sure talking about his high IQ move to get the ball to the officials quickly just before halftime so that it could be spotted in time for the Cardinals end-of-half field goal. You win with players like Fitzgerald. Fourth receiver

Andy Isabella didn’t see much action against the Niners, but he can make plays when the Cards want to spread the field.

Arizona splits time at tight end between all-purpose receiver/blocker Maxx (with two Xes) Williams and fan-favorite Dan Arnold. The lanky Arnold is a very effective red-zone target for Murray. After seeing Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert roam the middle of the field, Williams and Arnold may seem like a step back. But the WFT defense cannot sleep on these guys.

The offensive line is still a weak spot. Other than left guard Justin Pugh, these guys are mundane. Starting center Mason Cole had to leave last week’s game, but there didn’t seem to be much drop-off to replacement Lamont Gaillard.

The other linemen – D.J. Humphries, J. R. Sweezy, and Kelvin Beachum – aren’t bad players. But they are not going to overpower anyone. Washington’s pass rush should be effective again, provided they do not let Murray escape too often.

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