3 keys to a Cardinals’ win in Week 2 over the Vikings
The Arizona Cardinals hope to begin the season 2-0 as they take on the Minnesota Vikings at home Sunday afternoon. If they are to pick up a win, they will need to do a number of things.
What are this week’s keys to victory for the Cardinals?
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Limit Dalvin Cook
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The Cardinals held Tennessee Titans running back to Derrick Henry to only 58 yards in Week 1 and only eight yards in the first half. It set up both their offensive and defensive success. Cook was the No. 2 rusher in 2020. If they can limit him, the Vikings will become one-dimensional.
Score early
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The Cardinals rolled against the Titans in Week 1 because of the combination of great early defense and getting points early. They are built as a team to thrive playing from ahead. If they get early stops and put up points, then the Vikings will have to abandon the run game, QB Kirk Cousins is good enough to put up big numbers but if the Cardinals know the pass is coming, they can stop it.
Pressure Kirk Cousins
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals had six sacks in Week 1, five by Chandler Jones. We can't expect another five-sack performance from Jones, but with him, J.J. Watt and Markus Golden, they should be able to apply consistent pressure, especially if they are able to limit Cook in the running game.
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