Here is some statistical flesh from TREFF (Teams Ranked by Efficiency) on the Cardinals to fill out R in CT’s always terrific scouting:

Week One Opponent: San Francisco.  Offensive Efficiency (average), Off. Scoring Efficiency (well above average).  This parlay generally means big plays yet only average ability to produce sustained drives.  Defensive Efficiency (slightly above average), Def. Scoring Efficiency (slightly above average).

Week Two Opponent: Miami.  Offensive Efficiency (well above average), Off. Scoring Efficiency (well above average). This may have been because Miami has a poor secondary and the passing game was working on all cyllinders with two quality receivers and a cagey, veteran at QB who is incidentally very accurate.  Defensive Efficiency (average), Def. Scoring Efficiency (well above average).  This is the pattern of an ordinary defense that is either lucky, playing with a big lead or is playing an inept offense.

Week Three Opponent: Washington.  Offensive Efficiency (well below average), Off. Scoring Efficiency (below average).  Nothing worked on offense against Washington.  Defensive Efficiency (very well below average), Def. Scoring Efficiency (below average).  Ghastly performance.

So here are the patterns:  1) Arizona plays well against poor teams and poorly against better executing teams; 2) Arizona has not found itself.  It’s performance is very variable on both sides of the ball; 3) Arizona is a fragile team.  If they get off to a quick start, they play well but they do not play catch up well; 4) Arizona can be dominated by a well executing offense.  Their defense can not prevent long, sustained drives.  5) Arizona has big play capability.

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