ARIZONA CARDINALS

By the numbers: The Arizona Cardinals’ dominance during their 9-2 run

Nov 27, 2021, 9:31 AM

Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after his tackle against the Seattle Seahawks du...

Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after his tackle against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

After 11 weeks of football, the Arizona Cardinals are atop the NFL standings at 9-2 as they now sit back and enjoy their bye.

This off week has to feel especially good, as Arizona has traversed a good chunk of its schedule mostly unscathed despite injuries and other types of adversity bearing down seemingly from week to week.

That hasn’t stopped the Cardinals from still giving it to the opposition, however.

A closer look at Arizona’s impressive play after 11 games:

Lucky No. 7

Arizona has had little trouble putting points up on the board, leading the league with seven games of least 30 points.

In just 11 games, the Cardinals have already tied their 2020 mark.

It’s a huge jump from the two combined 30-point games Arizona put up in 2018-19.

You can’t lead the league in scoring if you can’t find pay dirt. Sticking with the seven theme, the Cardinals pace the NFL with seven games with at least four touchdowns.

That success has translated into 310 total points scored, another high mark across the league.

Highlight reels

The Cardinals have been no strangers to the big play in 2021, sitting first in the NFL in plays of at least 25 yards with 34. A league-leading 30 of those big plays came through the air.

Blow the doors off

The Cardinals have certainly had their moments offensively this season, posting four games of at least 400 yard and 30 points scored this season, a league high.

Arizona wasted little time putting the league on notice, putting up 416 yards against the Tennessee Titans in a 31-13 Week 1 win.

The Cardinals followed that up with a 474-yard, 34-point showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 before gashing the Jacksonville Jaguars to the tune of 407 yards and 31 points in Week 3.

Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, the Cardinals ran up 465 yards in the 37-20 victory.

Rumbling to pay dirt

For as much credit as the team gets for its passing prowess, Arizona’s ground game has been on another level this year.

The Cardinals are tied with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles for the league lead in rushing touchdowns  with 17.

Simply put, running back James Conner is a bad man, who is second in the league in rushing scores with 12.

Quarterback Kyler Murray (3) and running backs Chase Edmonds (1) and Eno Benjamin (1) have also contributed to the ground tally.

It hasn’t been just about finding the end zone, either, as Arizona ranks ninth in yards per game with 123.

Gettin’ stingy with it

For as good as the offense has been, the defense hasn’t been far behind in terms of league rank, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game with 18.4.

Of Arizona’s 11 games played, opponents have been held under 19 points seven times, including a 31-5 beatdown of the Houston Texans in Week 7.

Air traffic controllers

The Cardinals secondary has exceeded expectations so far in 2021. The defense has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards in the NFL with 204. Three of the team’s eight picks have come courtesy of cornerback Byron Murphy, who has impressed in his first season as the team’s unquestioned CB1.

Quarterbacks have clearly seen better days, as the Cardinals have allowed the seventh-lowest rating from an opposing quarterbacks perspective with an 86.5.

Rushing to conclusions

And if the secondary wasn’t causing enough problems, Arizona’s pass rush has been there to pick up the rest of the slack, currently tied for fourth in the NFL with 29 sacks.

The one-two punch of Markus Golden and Chandler Jones has been a force to be reckoned with, combining for 18 sacks on the season. Golden paces the team with 10, while Jones has eight. Linebacker Jordan Hicks is third on the team with three.

Good luck with that

The Cardinals have made it a habit of getting the upper hand on later downs this season, sitting third in third-down conversion rate at 32.6% (42-of-129).

And despite seeing the most fourth-down tries in the league (21), Arizona sits second in fourth-down conversion rate at 28.6% (6-of-21).

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs with the ball after a pass reception as Seattle Seahawks' Jordyn Brooks pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals' Chandler Jones, bottom, as Cardinals' Markus Golden (44) moves in on top during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals' Chandler Jones during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) pushes off of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Sidney Jones during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner carries as Seattle Seahawks' Jordyn Brooks defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf looks on from the bench against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks' DeeJay Dallas, center, tosses aside the ball as he gets up from the pile after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett reaches to make a long catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner kneels in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks late in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner runs in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks late in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs off the field after his team lost to the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Zach Ertz #86 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates with Rodney Hudson #61 after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Arizona Cardinals' Rondale Moore (4) is upended by Seattle Seahawks'Jason Myers on a kick return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 23-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) dives for the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. Benjamin was ruled down earlier on the play. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., left, stands near the bench late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks' Tyler Lockett sits on the bench late in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals' James Conner smiles as he heads off the field after his team defeated the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals fans cheer after their team beat the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 23-13. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Seattle Seahawks Jordyn Brooks (56) and Sidney Jones (23) bring down Arizona Cardinals' James Conner during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals' Zach Ertz heads into the end zone to score a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Sidney Jones defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) holds onto the ball for a catch but is ruled out of bounds as Arizona Cardinals' Marco Wilson defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore runs with the ball after a pass reception against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, hands off to running back Alex Collins against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Washington state Army National Guard helicopters fly over the stadium before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals during a Salute to Service event, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals' Zach Ertz is surrounded by Seattle Seahawks defenders after a pass reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks' Quandre Diggs, left, reaches for Arizona Cardinals' Antoine Wesley (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Washington state Army National Guard helicopters fly over the stadium before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals during a Salute to Service event, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks' Alex Collins (41) carries against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with officials during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) kicks a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals' Zach Ertz (86) aims for a hole against the Seattle Seahawks as he runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks' Jordyn Brooks, right, chases Arizona Cardinals' James Conner during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals Colt McCoy throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals' Zach Ertz (86) scores against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy readies a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) is congratulated by Andy Lee (14) on Prater's 53-yard field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, bottom left, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals' Isaiah Simmons (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore runs with the ball after a reception as Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Wagner (54) moves in during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seagulls share bleachers with fans before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy throws the ball before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals throws the ball during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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