TEMPE — The Washington Commanders defense presents a prime opportunity for quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals passing game to bounce back in a big way on Sunday, with or without tight end Trey McBride.
That’ll happen when you’ve allowed 255.7 yards per game, the second most in the NFL, and a league-leading nine passing touchdowns through three weeks.
But while Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. and the rest of the Cardinals’ aerial attack should be champing at the bit against the Commanders defense, it’s the running game that really needs to set the tone and make an impact on Sunday’s tilt.
Among the biggest issues for Arizona’s offense in last week’s 20-23 loss to the Detroit Lions was its inability to establish the run game.
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With quarterback Kyler Murray accounting for 45 of the team’s 77 rushing yards, the ground attack was stagnant throughout Sunday’s action.
Instead of being leaned on, the run game was abandoned as the Cardinals attempted a comeback through the air. Arizona did not run the football once in the fourth quarter, with Murray dropping back to pass 18 times across three drives.
Starter James Conner was especially quiet, seeing just nine carries for 17 yards and averaging 1.9 yards per carry. Arizona’s now 2-7 when the running back sees less than 10 carries in a game.
If the Cardinals want to come out of Sunday with a win, getting the run game — and more specifically Conner — back on a track is a great place to start.
As we saw in Week 2’s win over the Los Angeles Rams — 231 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries — the Cardinals offense is at its best behind a threatening ground game.
Seeing the rushing attack return to its prior form goes beyond Arizona’s offensive attack, too.
The Commanders offense enters Week 4 having scored on every full drive (13) the past two weeks behind Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Remember them?
The duo has Washington ranking sixth in total offense (360 yards per game), one spot ahead of Arizona (345.3).
In the two games the Commanders have won, Washington held the advantage in the time-of-possession battle. The more time for rookie Jayden Daniels and the offense under Kingsbury, the better.
After flashing his ability as a runner in Washington’s season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers behind 88 yards and a couple of touchdowns on 16 carries, the former Sun Devil has shown steady improvement as an NFL passer.
He’s had back-to-back games of at least 225 passing yards and is coming off a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, where he completed 91% of his passing attempts.
For the Cardinals this week, it’s all about limiting Daniels’ chances at burning them.
The best way to do that? Keeping the ball out of his hands as much as possible.
That can be accomplished with an effective run game behind Conner going up against a middle-of-the-road run defense.
And if this clip is any indication of what’s to come, look out.
I genuinely feel bad for the sled.
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner making every practice rep count. #AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/Mjg6jkD3d0
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 26, 2024
Boost needed from Benson
As much as Conner is the key to the run game’s success in 2024, getting more out of rookie Trey Benson could help the rushing attack hit that next gear.
So far this year, Benson has been underutilized and underwhelming behind 31 yards on 16 carries in three games played.
Game flow and game plan have impacted Benson’s start to his NFL career. But if he can get on track and carve out a more consistent change-of-pace role, Arizona could find another gear offensively.
“He’ll keep preparing like he’s been doing, and he’ll get his touches,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday.