Sometimes I wonder if the things written about a football team, especially nationally, are from people that, you know, actually watch the games.
That hit me this week seeing much of the analysis referring to how bad the Arizona Cardinals are on run defense.
My sense is that for many teams, those making comments, whether it is written or the spoken word, is generated by simply looking at the NFL rankings and reaching a conclusion.
It is true that after seven weeks, the Cardinals rank 23rd in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (126.3) and are 25th in yards per rush (4.7).
First, rankings looked at in a vacuum can be misleading unless they are put in context.
For example, the Miami Dolphins are 16th in rushing yards allowed at 110.2 per game,
seven spots higher than the Cardinals. However, the difference is only 15.9 yards per game.
Most important, though, is who is doing the running. After the loss to the Broncos last week, the narrative in Denver was how much better they ran the ball than in previous games. But did they really? Were those making that claim merely looking at the 159 yards gained without taking into account that 73 were by quarterback Bo Nix, including a 62-yard touchdown run?
Is easy to do the simple arithmetic and realize that the Broncos running backs totaled 83 yards in the game.
Obviously, those “extra” yards count and defenses have to be wary of quarterbacks that can win with their legs.
However, it doesn’t seem like a stretch to me that basic run defense should be centered around the running backs.
With a closer look at the Cardinals, it can be seen that quarterbacks Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy and Nix have combined for 136 yards on 14 runs.
Opponents' running backs have totaled 725 yards this season on 169 attempts, an average of 103.6 per game and 4.3 per rush.
In addition, 319 (36.1 percent) of the 884 yards by running backs came by the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, games that were won 31-7 by Seattle and 45-21 by Detroit with both teams relying mostly on the run as the lead built in the second half.
The Seahawks had 43 yards from their backs at halftime and 114 in the second half. The Lions had 66 in the first half and 96 in the second half. Most of Detroit’s yards were from Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 151 yards. He is currently fourth in the NFL with 620 yards and the Lions have already had their bye so they’ve played only six games.
This is not an argument made to claim that the Cardinals are a very good or excellent run defense. But they’re not bad, either, which is simply a lazy narrative.
Game-by-game rushing yards/average per carry by opponents' running backs
- L.A. Chargers: Omarion Hampton (12-43/3.6), Keaton Mitchell (4-9/2.3). Total: 16-52/3.3
- Seattle: Emanuel Wilson (21-92/4.4), Jadarian Price (13-52/4.0), George Holani (4-13/3.3). Total: 38-157/4.1
- San Francisco: Christian McCaffrey (15-7/5.0), Kaelon Black (4-17/4.3). Total: 19-92/4.8
- N.Y. Giants: Cam Skattebo (18-58/3.2), Najee Harris (9-30/3.3), Tyrone Tracy (1-minus 1/-1.0. Total: 28-87/3.1
- Detroit: Jahmyr Gibbs (25-151/6.0), Sione Vaki (6-11/1.8). Total: 31-162/5.2
- L.A. Rams: Kyren Williams (10-50/5.0), Blake Corum (9-42/4.7). Total: 19-92/4.8
- Denver: Jonah Coleman (9-54/6.0), JK Dobbins (6-23/3.8), RJ Harvey (3-6/2.0). Total: 18-83/4.6
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals' run defense not as bad as perceived
