Alright I got something for you guys. Every Wednesday we’re gonna drop a thorough scouting report here at PatsProp and I will be your sherpa guiding you through our opponents this year.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cardinals aka “The Dirty Birds”.
Week 1: at Arizona Cardinals (Tickets)
Sunday, September 11th,
8:30pm EST, NBC
Indoors
Opponent/Patriots Stats:
Cardinals: 0-0 (13-3 in 2015, lost to Panthers in NFCCG)
Notable Games: None yet.
Common Opponents: None yet.
Recent games vs. Pats: Week 2, 2012 aka, “Ye Olde Time of Kevin Kolb as a Starter.” Cardinals win 20-18
[table id=16Cardinals /]
Notable Players
CARSON PALMER QB (2015 stats): 35 TDs 11 INTs 4,671 yards, 63.7% Completion
DAVID JOHNSON RB (2015 stats): 125 carries, 581 yards (4.6 avg), 8 TDs 4 fumbles, 36 catches, 457 yards
LARRY FITZGERALD WR (2015 stats): 109 catches, 1,215 yards (11.1 avg), 9 TDs, 2 fumbles
MICHAEL FLOYD WR (2015 stats): 52 catches, 849 yards (16.3 avg), 6 TDs, 0 fumbles
PATRICK PETERSON CB (2015 stat): 35 tackles, 8 passes defended, 2 INTs, 1 Forced Fumble
CHANDLER JONES ED (2015 stats): (who looked better in Pats navy 95 than Cardinal red 55 but anyway…) 44 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles, 1 INT
Injury Alerts
Cardinals:
Tyrann Mathieu tore his ACL in Week 15 against the Eagles and got surgery on it 3 weeks after the initial injury. 8 months later, Mathieu was taken off the PUP list and had his first practice August 21st. He participated in full 11 on 11 practice. He didn’t play this preseason but it looks like he is on track to play this game. Bruce Arians is quoted as saying he believes Mathieu will be “ready to roll” so hold onto your hard hats.
Mike Jenkins the supposed 2nd CB this season tore his ACL in the preseason and is on IR for 2016. This puts rookie Brandon Williams in the spotlight.
Patriots:
Danny Amendola was on the PUP list for all of Training Camp and the preseason. I have absolutely no idea what to expect from him and if he’ll be at all effective. Keep in mind, he’s had no time with Garoppolo this offseason to work on timing. ‘Dola will be one to monitor for this game, if he suits up at all.
Key Matchups:
Cardinals:
-vs. WR1: 6th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Julian Edelman vs. Patrick Peterson
-vs. WR2: 3rd in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Chris Hogan vs. Brandon Williams (Rookie)
-vs. TE: 7th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Rob Gronkowski vs. Deone Bucannon
-vs. RB: 23rd in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: James White vs. Tyrann Mathieu
Patriots:
-vs. WR1: 17th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Justin Coleman vs. Larry Fitzgerald
-vs. WR2: 15th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Malcolm Butler vs. John Brown
-vs. WR3: 28th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Logan Ryan vs. Michael Floyd
vs. RB: 17th in NFL in 2015—-Matchup: Jamie Collins vs. David Johnson
What’s at stake?
A great start is important but the Pats are notorious for a September Stinker. Not the most important one to win as it is out of conference. I really want to see the team puts up a good fight here. I have no clue what to expect from Jimmy to be honest and this is a huge test to start his NFL career as a starter. I think it is important that he not get too rattled on this huge stage.
Early thoughts:
Alright so here’s the deal, NE could very realistically lose this game…but how thrilling for a season opener!
-I could not be more excited to see the entire Defense at full speed. I think the depth of the Cardinals WRs will test the depth of the Patriots’ DBs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 5 wide a lot this game.
-Do Larry Fitzgerald and Tom Brady drink at the same Fountain of Youth? He’s 33 and still playing like his hair is on fire. Will Fitzgerald continue to look the part or does he show signs of slowing down?
-It’ll be weird seeing Chandler Jones on the other side line but to be blunt I don’t think he’ll be missed. Jones earned his place in the Patriots Hall of “Very Good” but Sheard and Long will do the job more than adequately. In fact, (hot taek alert) I think they will play better than Jones this season.
-I have been itching for real game action for months so I can’t wait to sit in front of my TV and angrily throw my shit all over the floor from screaming at the screen.
Boy am I glad football is back.