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Cardinals' offense still gaining momentum

By The Sports Xchange
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass as he warms up before the Cardinals-Cincinnati Bengals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 22, 2015. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI
1 of 3 | Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass as he warms up before the Cardinals-Cincinnati Bengals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 22, 2015. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals continue to score at a franchise-record pace, and insist they aren't playing their best on offense.

That is hard to imagine considering they scored 39 points against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 15 and 34 against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

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"Oh gosh, we blew away a whole half in that ballgame," coach Bruce Arians said, referring to the 34-31 win over the Bengals. "Two possessions we fumbled in Seattle that are potential points. We're turning the ball over too much. We had a critical third down the other night, and we had two mental errors on it. So there's a lot of room for improvement."

The Cardinals won each of their past three games despite finishing with a minus-1 turnover margin in those contests. It is the first time that happened in their history.

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They are doing it with an offense explosive enough to overcome its mistakes and a lack of defensive support, at least in terms of turnovers.

The Cardinals scored eight touchdowns the past two weeks, and only two of them came on possessions that started in opponents' territory.

Arians isn't the worrying kind, but he also correctly surmises that the trend isn't sustainable.

"Right now, the problem is that the turnovers have stopped coming and we keep giving them away," Arians said. "There's another fumble on the ground (Sunday night) that we didn't get. We've got to find ways to start creating more turnovers, and we have to protect the football better."

That wasn't a problem in Week 3 when the Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 47-7. They returned interceptions for touchdowns on the 49ers' first two possessions to take San Francisco out of the game right away.

The Cardinals appear to be mature enough to take Sunday's rematch against the 3-7 49ers seriously. Arians hammered home the point that the Cardinals haven't won in San Francisco since 2008.

"We could (not) care less what their record is or what their situation is," Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer said. "We haven't won in their stadium since 2008, and that's been talked about a lot. They've been one of the two best teams in this division for a long time. They've been to the Super Bowl recently. It's an NFC West game. They're the 49ers; the history, the tradition. This is a big game for us, and we understand that."

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The Cardinals are expecting a much tougher game this time around. In Week 3, they preyed upon quarterback Colin Kaepernick, knowing that he was rarely throwing down the middle. Now, Blaine Gabbert is the starter, and the 49ers are marginally better on offense.

The Cardinals' defense should be good enough to limit the 49ers to minimal damage. And with the way the offense is playing, it is not as if Arizona's defense has to be dominant.

SERIES HISTORY: 49th meeting. 49ers lead, 29-19. The Cardinals won 47-17 at home in Week 3. The 49ers were out of the game early. The Cardinals returned two Colin Kaepernick passes for touchdowns on the 49ers' first two possessions. Chris Johnson ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and Larry Fitzgerald caught nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals haven't beaten the 49ers on the road since 2008.

GAME PLAN:

--On defense, the Cardinals will dare the 49ers to pass. The Cardinals will devote resources to stopping the run, figuring quarterback Blaine Gabbert won't beat them with his arm. That is a good bet, because the Cardinals' defensive strength is the secondary.

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On offense, the Cardinals will do what they always do: Use Chris Johnson to get a productive running game going, then take shots downfield off play-action. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has had some huge days against the 49ers, so the Cardinals will go to him.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt vs. Cardinals receivers.

The Cardinals put safeties in difficult spots with their deep passing game. Tartt, a rookie, will have to make some critical split-second decisions.

--Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel vs. 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Bethel is likely to start in place of Patrick Peterson (ankle). While Bethel won't defend Boldin all day, he will have some matchups against him. Bethel has a great athletic advantage, but Boldin's savvy and strength will present challenges.

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