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Cardinals Gameday: N.Y. Giants preview
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THE SKINNY
This is the Cardinals’ second prime-time appearance. The first one, of course, didn’t turn out so well, Arizona losing to Indianapolis, 31-10. The Cardinals will get the Giants’ best after their embarrassing loss to New Orleans last week. Arizona, on the other hand, is playing its best football of the season and should have some confidence given the fact it hung tough with the Giants last year at University of Phoenix Stadium before losing, 37-29. Playing in the Meadowlands, of course, is a different matter. If the Cardinals win, they’ll be 3-0 on the road for the first time since 1974.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Kurt Warner against the Giants’ pass rush: New York has 14 sacks but it didn’t get to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees once last weekend. If the Cardinals’ offensive line can give Warner time, he could take advantage of a New York secondary that is missing two starters, safety Kenny Phillips and cornerback Aaron Ross.
2. Steve Smith vs. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Bryant McFadden: Smith has become Eli Manning’s go-to target, particularly on third down. He leads the team with 41 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns. Smith runs precise routes and has great hands. DRC and McFadden can’t let him move the chains.
3. The Cardinals’ blitz package vs. Eli Manning: Arizona killed Seattle last weekend with a variety of blitzes, collecting five sacks, but the Giants’ offensive line is considerably better than the Seahawks’. Still, Arizona has to take some chances because it can’t get consistent enough pressure from its defensive line.
STARTING LINEUPS
Cardinals offense
WR Larry Fitzgerald
LT Mike Gandy
LG Reggie Wells
C Lyle Sendlein
RG Deuce Lutui
RT Levi Brown
TE Stephen Spach
WR Anquan Boldin
QB Kurt Warner
RB Tim Hightower
FB Dan Kreider
Cardinals defense
DE Calais Campbell
DT Bryan Robinson
DT Darnell Dockett
OLB Chike Okeafor
MLB Karlos Dansby
MLB Gerald Hayes
OLB Clark Haggans
RCB Bryant McFadden
LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
SS Adrian Wilson
FS Antrel Rolle
Giants offense
WR Domenik Hixon
LT David Diehl
LG Rich Seubert
C Shaun O’Hara
RG Chris Snee
RT Kareem McKenzie
TE Kevin Boss
WR Steve Smith
QB David Carr
RB Brandon Jacobs
FB Madison Hedgecock
Giants defense
DE Mathias Kiwanuka
DT Barry Cofield
DT Fred Robbins
DE Osi Umenyiora
OLB Danny Clark
MLB Antonio Pierce
OLB Gerris Wilkinson
CB Corey Webster
CB Terrell Thomas
SS C.C. Brown
FS Michael Johnson
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