Balanced attack driving Cardinals’ return to winning ways

TEMPE – After stumbling to a 1-3 start this season, the Arizona Cardinals climbed back to the .500 mark with a 28-3 victory over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football and appear to be finding an identity.

It’s the identify of a team with a balanced offensive approach and an attacking defense.

“We’re finding more about each other each week,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said.

In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Arians said that increased attention to detail and offensive balance have been the keys to the turnaround for the Cardinals, who have won two in a row since back-to-back losses to the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams.

The difference?

“Better focus over 60 minutes,” Arians said.

After four games in which more than 70 percent of their offense came through the air, the Cardinals’ attack has been almost perfectly balanced over the last two games – 50.15 percent of the plays were on the ground to 49.85 percent from the pass (343 yards rushing, 341 yards passing).

On Monday, running back David Johnson led the way, carrying 22 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns, including a 58-yard touchdown run that started and ended Arizona’s second offensive possession. It was the second straight game Johnson went over 100 yards rushing. Johnson also caught three passes for 27 yards.

Meanwhile, quarterback Carson Palmer was solid, completing 23-of-34 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown against a blitzing Jets team coached by Arians’ former defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles.

Palmer, who missed last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with a concussion, left the Jets game in the fourth quarter after suffering a hamstring strain. However, he is expected to play Sunday night when the Cardinals host the Seattle Seahawks, who sit atop the NFC West with a 4-1 record.

Arians loves the balance of rushing and passing offense that the Cardinals have found of late.

“That’s the way we want to play,” he said. “Take whatever is there.”

The defense also had a good night, limiting the Jets to 230 yards of total offense and surrendering a season-low three points.

But the test will be significantly more difficult when the Seahawks visit. Now in his fourth season with the Cardinals, Arians is still looking for his first victory over Seattle at University of Phoenix Stadium.

“We got to beat them,” he said. “Whether home or on the road.”