PFF: Cardinals star Patrick Peterson graded as third best cornerback in NFL
Oct 12, 2018, 2:16 PM
Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) leaps over Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Now in his eighth season as the heart of the Arizona Cardinals’ secondary, cornerback Patrick Peterson is continuing his reign of dominance.
Through five games this season, Peterson has one pick, two passes defended, a fumble recovery and 24 combined tackles. His consistency and awareness have warranted the attention of Pro Football Focus, who ranked him as the third best cornerback in the NFL.
The highest graded cornerbacks in the NFL so far this season. pic.twitter.com/AsPYilekCd
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 10, 2018
His score of 80.5 puts him just 0.4 points ahead of Chicago cornerback Bryce Callahan and 1.5 points behind Callahan’s Chicago teammate, Prince Amukamara.
It’s been a historic run for Peterson through five weeks. He’s already tied his career-highs in both sacks and tackles for loss to start the year and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
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In spite of Peterson’s concerted effort to lock up opposing receivers, the Cardinals defense has struggled thus far in the season. They rank last in the NFL in tackles with 235 and are stuck in a seven-way tie for No. 20 in the NFL in sacks with nine.
Still, many of these troubles come from the effort of the Cardinals’ front-seven. The secondary has done a solid job of limiting opposing receivers, allowing just 1,243 yards through the air through five games. This ranks No. 13 in the NFL.
Peterson and the Cardinals will look to improve on both sides of the ball against a Minnesota Vikings team that’s been wildly inconsistent to start the season.
