The Detroit Lions (1-1) will travel to Glendale to take on the Arizona Cardinals (1-1) in Week 3 of the NFL season. The Lions open as 3-point favorites on the road. Cardinals head coach Jonathon Gannon is looking to build upon a surprisingly strong first season.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Matchup History and Game Quotes
The Lions and Cardinals have only played each other once in the Dan Campbell era. The Lions won a divisive game in his first season, and was one of the turning points in 2021 for both teams.
Campbell wants his squad to bounce back after a rough loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. During last week’s post-game press conference, he took full accountability for the result of that game and the situations he put his team in.
After a rough season in 2023, the Cardinal’s offense brings back a healthy Kyler Murray and one of the most talented rookie receivers of all time, Marvin Harrison Jr. They play fast and explosive.
Campbell didn’t hesitate to say that the Cardinals present a challenge.
“The nature of the way they play, I would say schematically on both sides of the ball, it’s tricky,” he said. “They run some things that are not unorthodox; they just give you a lot. And they’re very active up front. Offensively, they give you a lot of different personnel groups. They play hard, they’re physical.”
The Cardinals are not a team that will shy away from competition or physicality. Their offense is built to compete with the best of the best, and they will keep most games close because of it.
Coach Gannon is looking to have a competitive season in his second year with the Cardinals. A year where they play close games and show the league what that offense is capable of would be significant progress in the Arizona rebuild.
Gannon and his team are hungry for more, saying his team isn’t satisfied with one good performance.
“We have really mature and serious people in our locker room,” Gannon said. “It’s easy to turn the page when they turn on the tape of Detroit. They know it’s a week-to-week league.”
Gannon and his team seem confident that they can make the playoffs, and this would be a massive win for his team moving forward.
Key Players for the Lions
Quarterback Jared Goff will have to play better this week against the Cardinals. While the Cardinals’ offense is excellent, their defense leaves much to be desired. Arizona should not be much of a test for this offense, so Goff must get back into rhythm and make the plays he was making last season.
The Cardinals’ defensive line is their weakest unit, so capitalizing on that through the run game is vital. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are going to be relied on to create big chunk plays on the ground to open up the Lions’ explosive yard after catch passing attack.
Defensively, the Cardinals’ offense will be quite the test. The Lions have struggled to defend against mobile quarterbacks in the Campbell era, and Murray threatens to run on every play. Edge pressure from Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, who looks to return this week, will be vital.
The defense will not only have to pressure Murray, but also keep him within the pocket. DJ Reader, Alim McNeil, and Levi Onwuzirike will be critical to generate pressure from the inside and clogging up rushing lanes.
Meanawhile, Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis will be the essential secondary pieces. Arnold has gotten off to a rough start in his rookie season, but Davis has been the solid corner the Lions have been looking for for a long time. Both players must limit the dynamic Cardinals passing attack, particularly on long down and distance situations.
Key Players for the Cardinals
Quarterback Kyler Murray will cause many problems for the Lions’ defense. His ability to throw accurately as a passer, and run when needed, makes him difficult to defend. His first full season since 2021 has gotten off to a strong start, and he will look to continue that against the Lions.
Running back James Connor is entering his eighth NFL season, and is still one of the more productive backs in the league. His bruiser run style adds another layer to the Cardinals’ offense.
Meanwhile, Marvin Harrison Jr. was the flashy add for the Cardinals this season. The fourth overall pick was expected to be one of the best players and make an instant impact. His all-around ability and size make him a difficult game plan for any team. Also, tight end Trey McBride cemented himself as one of the league’s better tight ends last season, giving Murray a safety valve underneath.
Defensively, the unit struggles. Edge rushers Dennis Gardick and Zaven Collins have had early season success, but the interior defensive line has struggled immensely in pass rush and run defense. Mack Wilson Sr. and Kyzir White’s linebackers tandem have also struggled this season. The secondary is where things start to look better for the Cardinals.
Cornerback Sterling Thomas V has had a very good second season, and Budda Baker is still one of the best safeties in the league and a staple of this Cardinals defense. Overall, this unit struggled versus the Bills but played well against a hobbled Rams team, so it’s difficult to pronounce how they will project this season.
Keys for the Lions to Win
Take Advantage of the Cardinals’ Defensive Line
The Cardinals’ defensive line has struggled this year, and if there is a team that can take advantage of that, it is the Lions. The Lions boast one of the best offensive lines in the league, headed by right tackle Penei Sewell.
The Lions’ offensive line should be able to take advantage of the Cardinals’ defensive line and win the battle in the trenches. This opens the way for the Lions to pound the ball in the run game, something they unnecessarily got away from last week.
Also, this advantage should give Goff ample time to deliver on-time, accurate throws to his receivers. That is something he seems to be struggling with this year. Overall, offensively, the battle in the trenches will define the game for the Lions.
Simplify the Game
Last week, the Lions seemed unnecessarily tricky or flashy with their plays. When the solution seemed simple, they tried to complicate things by running a play with unnecessary risk. A key for them and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be to simplify the game and get back to their roots as a football team.
This means running the ball efficiently and physically, utilizing both your backs in Montgomery and Gibbs. Regarding the passing game, get back to your core goal of getting your playmakers in space, and let them make magic with yards after the catch. The Cardinals’ defense is not a daunting threat, so returning to the Lions’ offensive roots and controlling time of possession is critical to keep this season on track.
Contain Kyler Murray
Murray is one of the league’s most dynamic and explosive quarterbacks. His small frame doesn’t hold him back because of all his other traits. When the play breaks down, or the pocket collapses, Murray is one of the best at making magic out of a bleak situation. Containing this situation and not allowing Murray to do this will be critical.
The Lions struggle with quarterbacks who can run around in the pocket and deliver accurate throws down the field. However, this is a new and improved Lions defense; while Murray is a significant threat to gash their defense, there is hope they could prevent him from doing so. Creating pressure from both the edge and interior to fluster him in the pocket and clog rushing lanes will be vital if the Lions hope to contain Murray’s explosiveness.
