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

By Jonathan Eig | Sep 17, 2020

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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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 24: Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals participates during training camp at State Farm Stadium on August 24, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 24: Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals participates during training camp at State Farm Stadium on August 24, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Arizona’s defense

Arizona plays a 3-4 base defense, and like on offense, they boast several elite talents. Edge rusher Chandler Jones, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and safety Budda Baker are all among the best in the league at their positions.

The front three revolves around steady nose tackle Corey Peters. They brought in defensive end Jordan Phillips from Buffalo – one of several defensive free agents signed to bolster the team’s biggest weakness in 2019 – and he is rotating with 2019 draftee Zach Allen, the recently-signed Angelo Blackson, and 2020 draftee Rashard Lawrence.

Allen and Blackson both had sacks against San Francisco in Week 1. So did Chandler Jones. The outside edge rusher is one of the most fearsome sack masters in the game today. Jones has moved around during his career, so both WFT tackles need to be ready.

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The rest of the linebacking corps is still taking shape but seems vastly improved over 2019. I know some Washington fans were very high on Clemson’s do-everything defender Isaiah Simmons. Simmons probably will develop into a quality defender, but if you saw him in Week 1, you saw a very unfinished product. (Not to say “I told you so,” but I will point out that though Chase Young still has some growing to do, he is far from “unfinished”).

Simmons was only in on 18 defensive snaps, and if you saw him at all, you saw him taking a bad angle on 49ers running back Raheem Mostert and get utterly torched for a long TD. Simmons will probably be worked in slowly over the next several games.

Arizona can afford to do that because they also signed linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to help control the middle of the field. Campbell and fellow linebacker Jordan Hicks are quality players. Against the 49ers, they both played every defensive snap. Chandler Jones pairs with either Devon Kennard or Hassan Reddick to complete an improved linebacking corps.

Some analysts felt Patrick Peterson lost step last year, and it certainly wouldn’t be unheard of for a 30-year old cornerback to drop off rather quickly (See Norman, Josh; see Rhodes, Xavier). But I think you’re making a big mistake if you write off Peterson. He looked better in Week 1 than he did for most of last season when nagging injuries slowed him down.

So did his running mate Byron Murphy, a 2019 draft pick who struggled last year. Murphy made two big plays late in the SF game to help preserve the win, and his confidence should be high.

Chris Banjo had to fill in for the injured safety Jalen Thompson. He played well, but if Thompson can’t go on Sunday, that is a potential weakness to exploit. The other safety, Budda Baker, doesn’t get the acclaim of Jamal Adams and Tyrann Mathieu. But he should. He’s that good. And he can shift to nickel back when necessary.

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