Five matchups that will define NFL Week 10: Cardinals WRs ready to race with Seahawks DBs
No injuries, no excuses: This is the Arizona Cardinals' true proving ground.
When the Cardinals first met the Seattle Seahawks last season, they had little chance with an offense rendered rudderless by Carson Palmer's season-ending knee injury two weeks earlier. The 19-3 loss was the first of four in the final six weeks and signaled the beginning of the end to what had been a promising season.
But on Sunday night, Bruce Arians finally gets to test his full-strength offense in Seattle against the team that could still have the biggest impact Arizona's postseason outlook.
Running back Chris Johnson will be an important contributor, especially with rain expected. But the Cardinals' well-being all comes down to Palmer.
The offense ranks second in the NFL in scoring thanks to Palmer's MVP-caliber performance. In wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd, the Cardinals have more weapons in the passing game than most other teams can handle.
But they meet a Seahawks defense that seems to be at the start of a midseason surge. Seattle has not given up a touchdown in the last eight quarters. But the four wins have come against lackluster offenses with a combined 9-24 record.
If the Cardinals can protect Palmer, the Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary could face a tough day. Arizona has the resources to stay away from cornerback Richard Sherman and target Cary Williams instead.
The dynamic in the NFC West might not be determined until Week 17 when the teams meet again. But Sunday could set the tone for the second half of the season and what's looking to be one of the most interesting divisional races.
Here are four other matchups that will define Week 10:
- New York Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. New England Patriots CB Malcolm Butler
Barring a throwback performance by the Giants' defensive line, New York's 31st-ranked pass defense is in for a long day against Tom Brady. A shootout might be the best route for an upset.
Beckham's second season has illustrated how much respect he gets from opposing defenses. The wide receiver's output (59 catches for 759 yards and seven touchdowns) is all the more impressive given the constant attention from safeties.
Expect similar treatment for Beckham in New England on Sunday: A lot of physical play at the line from Butler with help over the top. Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots' pass defense has been adept at taking away top opposing threats.
The Giants appear ready to feed Beckham as much as needed, as Eli Manning targeted him 17 times last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Manning will have to capitalize when the attention on Beckham opens things up for other receivers.
- Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr vs. Minnesota Vikings secondary
Sunday's talk might revolve around Carr meeting up with Teddy Bridgewater, the quarterback whom the Vikings took ahead of Carr in the 2014 NFL draft. The game won't resolve any questions about either player's career, but it could be an important test for the Raiders signal-caller.
Carr is on an impressive run in his last three games: 71-of-111 passing for 923 yards, 11 touchdowns and only one interception. More importantly, he has the Raiders tied for an AFC wild-card berth entering Sunday.
While the Raiders' offense is taking a significant step forward, the Vikings are reaping the rewards of their own homegrown talent. Minnesota ranks No. 7 overall so far this year and No. 6 against the pass.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer complimented Carr's "gunslinger mentality," but it might be something the Vikings try to use against the Raiders. Minnesota has just four interceptions so far this year but could try to pounce if Carr is overly aggressive.
- Philadelphia Eagles offensive line vs. Miami Dolphins defensive line
The Dolphins defense knows the run plays are coming, yet it can't stop them.
Miami gave up 266 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries to the Buffalo Bills last week, allowing the team to venture just 12 pass attempts. With little help surrounding defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, no team faces more rushing attempts per game (31.5) than the Dolphins.
Up next is an Eagles running game just beginning to find its footing. With DeMarco Murray leading the charge, Philadelphia has had at least 150 yards rushing in each of its last four games.
The Dolphins can't afford to let Murray and Co. rip off big runs on a consistent basis. Miami will be in better shape if it can force the burden away from the rushing game and onto Sam Bradford.
- Dallas Cowboys RB Darren McFadden vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers front seven
With Tony Romo's potential return next week, there's little reason left to assess Matt Cassel's performance. But Romo will need plenty of support when he returns to a team with no margin of error.
Lost in the Cowboys' six-game losing streak and the accompanying drama has been McFadden's emergence as a reliable workhorse back. The eighth-year pro has tallied at least 20 carries in each of his last three games.
But the Buccaneers' run defense has been solid in recent weeks, bottling up the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants' ground game. Tampa Bay will need disruptive plays from Gerald McCoy and the defensive line throughout the game.
Leaning on McFadden on Sunday could keep the Cowboys from falling further back in the NFC East race. Dallas can't count on Dez Bryant to bail them out again while he recovers from a knee injury last week.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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