Washington, led by star rookie QB Jayden Daniels, tries to keep rolling vs. Cards
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) greets fans as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Commanders won 38-33. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
Washington (2-1) at Arizona (1-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT, Fox
BetMGM NFL odds: Cardinals by 3 1/2.
Against the spread: Commanders 2-1; Cardinals 2-1.
Series record: Commanders lead 77-47-2.
Last meeting: Commanders beat Cardinals 20-16 in Landover, Maryland, on Sept. 10, 2023.
Last week: Commanders beat Cincinnati Bengals 38-33; Cardinals lost 20-13 to Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
Commanders offense: overall (6), rush (5), pass (15), scoring (5).
Commanders defense: overall (29), rush (17-T), pass (31), scoring (29).
Cardinals offense: overall (7), rush (9), pass (17), scoring (4).
Cardinals defense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (16), scoring (18-T).
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, left, catches a 27-yard touchdown pass ahead of Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
Turnover differential: Commanders plus-1; Cardinals even
Commanders player to watch
Everyone is talking about QB Jayden Daniels, but with RB Austin Ekeler out because of a concussion, the key to Washington's offense could be Brian Robinson Jr. The third-year back has averaged 4.6 yards a carry and has two rushing touchdowns through three games. Maintaining a balanced attack is important for Daniels and the revamped offensive line.
Cardinals player to watch
WR Michael Wilson led the Cardinals with eight catches for 64 yards against the Lions. The second-year pro out of Stanford has been a productive player when healthy. Now that opposing defenses are focusing much of their attention on star rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., Wilson might have more room to maneuver.
Key matchup
The Cardinals' improved pass rush hopes to make Daniels a little more uncomfortable than he was against the Bengals, when he completed 21 of 23 passes. Arizona has nine sacks through three games this season, which ranks in the middle of the league. If that holds it would be a big improvement on last season, when the team ranked near the bottom of the league in that category.
Key injuries
Cardinals DT Justin Jones (triceps) went on injured reserve Wednesday and is out for the season. Starting RT Jonah Williams (knee) and DL Darius Robinson (calf) are also on IR. TE Trey McBride is in concussion protocol. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (quad) and S Budda Baker were among the Arizona players limited at practice on Wednesday. ... Ekeler was ruled out early in the week, along with Commanders DE Clelin Ferrell (knee). ... Right guard Sam Cosmi (Achilles tendon) did not practice Wednesday.
Series notes
The Commanders have dominated the matchup since 2000, winning 11 of 15 games. ... The two teams will be meeting for the 127th time going back to 1932. The only team the Cardinals have faced more is the New York Giants (129). ... Washington has not won back-to-back road games since 2022.
Stats and stuff
Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was the Cardinals head coach from 2019-22. He had 28 wins during that span, including an 11-win season in 2021 that ended a wild-card playoff loss to the Rams. ... The Commanders and Cardinals faced each other in Week 1 during the 2023 season and now have vastly different quarterback situations. Josh Dobbs started for the Cardinals in last year's game because Kyler Murray was on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Commanders started Sam Howell. ... Daniels completed 91.3% of his passes Monday night at Cincinnati, going 21 of 23 to set a rookie record. He also had 254 yards passing, 39 rushing and three total touchdowns. ... WR Terry McLaurin caught four passes for 100 yards and a TD after having eight receptions for 39 yards in the first two games combined. ... TE Zach Ertz had 130 catches for 1,167 yards and eight TDs in 28 games with Arizona from 2021-23. He has four TD catches in his career against the Cardinals. ... DT Jonathan Allen is one sack away from 40. ... LB Bobby Wagner, who has played for Seattle and the L.A. Rams, has made at least six tackles in each of his past seven games against Arizona. ... Cardinals LB Dennis Gardeck has three sacks, five tackles for a loss, three QB hits, an interception and a fumble recovery through three games. ... Harrison Jr. leads the Cardinals with 198 yards receiving and three touchdowns. ... The Cardinals rank fourth in scoring offense this season, trailing just Buffalo, New Orleans and Minnesota. ... Arizona is tied for the league lead with 23 tackles for a loss. ... The Cardinals have committed just 14 penalties through three games. That's the fewest over the first three games for the franchise since 2002.
Fantasy tip
Cardinals RB James Conner had a slow day last Sunday against the Lions, running for 17 yards for nine carries. Don't expect it to happen again. The past two times Conner has rushed for fewer than 50 yards, he's followed up with a 100-yard performances.
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