How the Cardinals get back in the win column this week vs. the Giants

TEMPE — There aren’t many soft spots on the Arizona Cardinals’ 2026 schedule, especially when it comes to the first 11 or so weeks of the season.

And when those opportunities arise, it’s on the Cardinals to seize them. Their record might say otherwise, but the New York Giants are just that.

At 2-1, New York is atop the NFC East and is coming off a 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Giants, however, have plenty of issues the Cardinals can capitalize on.

And it all starts on the side of the field where everything matters most.

Giants weaknesses the Cardinals can exploit

Red (zone) alert

The Cardinals have not cashed in nearly as much as they should have in the red zone this year.

Through three games, Arizona is 6-for-11 in red zone trips and 6-for-7 in goal-to-go situations. Just over 54.5%. That number must tick up if the Cardinals hope to get back in the win column.

At least against the Giants, there’s a real possibility that happens. New York has one of the worst red zone defenses in the league three weeks in behind a 77.6% scoring rate. Of the nine trips New York has defended, seven went for touchdowns.

In five goal-to-go situations this year, the Giants defense has allowed four touchdowns.

The only two red zone instances where the Giants held their ground was in last week’s win over the 0-3 Titans. New York forced a turnover on downs earlier in the matchup before Jevon Holland (more on him later) called game with an interception.

Again, we’re talking about the Titans here, one of the worst offenses in the NFL across multiple metrics.

The Cardinals have had their offensive issues this season — lack of explosives and penalties chief among them — but are nowhere near in the same spot as the Titans.

Even if there is inclement weather at play — rain is in the forecast — LaFleur has a real opportunity of flexing his red zone offense this week and improving upon their success rate.

A pass-rushing Spider-Man meme

The Cardinals’ pass rush continues to be a main sore spot for the defense.

The Giants’ pass rush is worse.

New York has gotten home to the quarterback just once this season. That’s the second-worst mark in the league behind only the sack-less Miami Dolphins.

The Giants’ pressure rate is also near the bottom of the league at 25.7%. The only team with a worse rate? The Cardinals at 23.6%.

New York’s pressure rate drops to just 7.8% on quick throws (under 2.5 seconds), too, according to Next Gen Stats. It just so happens Brissett and the offense have leaned into that side of the offense three weeks in, with the veteran posting the quickest time to throw among NFL quarterbacks this year at 2.62 seconds.

And when Brissett isn’t facing pressure, good things happen. Without pressure bearing down, the quarterback currently sports the fifth-highest completion percentage at 78.6%. Against pressure, that number drops to 48.5% for 151 yards and a pick.

The Giants haven’t really had an answer defending the underneath game, either. New York has allowed an 82.8% completion percentage on underneath pass attempts. That’s the fifth-highest mark in the league.

Adding to New York’s pass-rushing problems, the Giants are now without linebacker Brian Burns for the rest of the year with a torn ACL. Of the team’s 27 pressures this year, he was second on the team with five.

The man, the myth, the Jameis

Brissett has a lot of respect for his fellow veteran quarterback Jameis Winston.

The Cardinals’ quarterback also knows there’s no off button on the signal caller.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tyler Drake (@tdrake4sports)

And while Brissett was talking more about Winston’s off-the-field manner, the same can be said for how the Giants QB operates between the white lines.

Winston is not afraid to air it out and take chances. That mindset can result in plenty of big plays and touchdowns. It also means more chances at coughing up the rock.

His touchdown-to-interception split of 156-114 paints that picture very clearly.

Arizona is going to have its chances at adding to Winston’s interception total, especially if the Cardinals’ pass rush wakes up.

When Winston has been under pressure this year, he’s a terrible 3-for-17 for 54 yards and a pick. He has the lowest completion rate among NFL signal callers this year at 17.6% when under duress.

Josh Sweat reverting back to his 2025 self or Walter Nolen III making some noise along the interior would be massive this week.

Avoid Jevon Holland!

The Cardinals won’t have to game plan for Burns this week, a huge plus given what he brings to the table.

They will, however, have to be very cognizant of where safety Jevon Holland is at all times.

Because through three weeks, Holland has absolutely stuffed the stat sheet with 12 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and four passes defensed.

The crazy part? He’s seen a target rate of just 1.9% this season, per Next Gen Stats. That’s the third-lowest rate in the NFL and he’s still leading the league in passes defensed and interceptions! Of his 15 coverage snaps, he’s made a play on the ball on every target.

There’s a reason why he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday.

“He’s a beast. He does a great job reading the quarterback’s eyes, he’s a big rangy guy and he’s just a ball hawk,” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said Thursday.

“He knows where the ball’s going. I think you can tell by his preparation, understanding route trees, understanding where guys are. He’s going to be over there. Jacoby knows that and he’s going to have to get a feel where he is because that guy is all over the place.”

Knowing where No. 8 is at all times is going to be key for Brissett and the Cardinals offense to come away victorious on Sunday.

Related

Harbaugh: Giants will have their hands full covering Cardinals’ Jeremiyah LoveCardinals-Giants injury report: Walter Nolen limited with shoulder issueWhich is worse? Cardinals’ lack of explosives or pile of penalties?Josh Sweat isn’t doing the Cardinals defense many favors 3 games inJ.J. McCarthy traded to Giants, the Cardinals’ next opponentCardinals silver linings and sore spots from loss to 49ers