Schedule Gives Cardinals a Chance

Not sure if anyone would have thought of this three weeks ago, but the Arizona Cardinals, with 10 weeks remaining in the season, can think big.

After winning three straight games, and claiming sole possession of first place in the NFC West division, the Cardinals have a good chance of finishing the season strong and claiming a first-round bye or home field advantage.

In Week Seven, Arizona claimed a 24-17 victory over the New York Giants on the road. It may be the team's biggest win of the season. It has set the table for Arizona to make a run through the remaining games of its schedule.

Arizona's next 10 opponents have a combined record of 21-42.

It's that bad. And it's that good for the Cardinals.

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Can D-Backs Recapture Winning Ways?

Finishing a season 70-92 and 25 games out of first place in the National League West division is miles away from the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2001 World Series Championship form. It's steps behind their playoff teams of 1999, 2002 and 2007.

Making the playoffs--and eventually winning the whole thing--is the reason why teams play the games. And of course, it's the Diamondbacks' ultimate goal.

But after such an abysmal year, how do they return to form?

The Arizona Republic had an interesting article on just how the Diamondbacks can once again become a contender. It was a four-step plan with began with picking up pitcher Brandon Webb's 2010 option.

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Victorious in Pink

The Marcos de Niza High School football team, in Tempe, played for more than just one cause Oct. 9 at home.

Marcos de Niza sported a different look in a 42-0 win over Gilbert Perry: Pink jerseys.

The team wore pink jerseys to support breast cancer awareness. Others were on hand to help the Padres support the cause. The Arizona State University cheer line was in attendance along with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart.

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Cardinals Have Questions

To begin the week, Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt answered questions by questioning himself.

He criticized himself for the Cardinals' inability to establish a running game in their 28-21 win over the Houston Texans in October 11 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals rushed for 44 yards on 16 attempts. Arizona saw an eight-man front from Houston for most of the game. The Cardinals,2-2, will probably see it again when they face the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 18 on the road. Whisenhunt said the front discouraged the Cardinals from sticking with designed running plays. Instead, Arizona had to check off into pass plays, which after time, made its offensive attack predictable.

"There were at least a half dozen plays that would have been huge plays had we connected on (passes), but that's probably the biggest regret I have, not calling more run plays that were just runs without checks," Whisenhunt told The Arizona Republic.

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Cardinals Defense to the Rescue

For a moment it looked like it was all going down the drain.

The Arizona Cardinals' season that is.

For a moment it looked as though the Cardinals stood a chance of falling to 1-3 on the season and placing themselves in a position to where they would have to fight the middle of the pack just to get into the pack of potential playoff contenders.

But it didn't happen and you can thank the Cardinals' defense for that.

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Mercury Rise to the Top

On Friday, the Phoenix Mercury secured a WNBA championship by defeating the Indiana Fever 94-86, in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. Diana Taurasi scored 26 points in the deciding game and won Finals MVP honors.

The Mercury overcame a 2-1 series deficit to claim the title. It's the Mercury's second WNBA title in three seasons. It's an impressive feat.

But is it the most impressive feat? Does this make the Mercury the best sports dynasty in Arizona history? Yes and yes.

Several professional sports franchises in Arizona have won on a consistent basis. The Phoenix Suns won 50-plus games four seasons in a row (2004-2008). The Arizona Cardinals advanced to the Super Bowl last season. The Arizona Diamondbacks, in 11 seasons, have four playoff appearances, including a World Series title in 2001. Every sports franchise in the state has enjoyed some type of success, but not every franchise has enjoyed the Mercury's level of success.

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Arizona In Need of a Good Rush

The Arizona Cardinals offense is sick.

The symptoms? Stalled drives in the redzone, lack of big plays and disgruntled star receivers whose brothers tweet about the receiver being disgruntled, before saying he was just joking. Other symptoms can be frustration and---the most painful of them all---a 1-2 record.

The Cardinals haven't scored points like they are accustomed and they're beginning to wonder why. The signs of struggle have been there for some time and so has the cure. Rest and liquids cure the common cold and a strong running game can revive a struggling offense.

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It Ain't Easy for Larry Fitzgerald

Last season Larry Fitzgerald was the toast of the National Football League. He was marked as the best receiver in football.

The next Jerry Rice.

Jesus in shoulder pads.

He scored what could have been the game-winning and title-clinching touchdown in last season's Super Bowl. His catch, a 64-yard reception, where he overpowered a corner, ran by the linebackers and split the safeties with blazing speed was nothing short of amazing.

What that season did, one where he had 96 catches for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns, was make him a marked man. He has a target on his back. And every defensive coordinator on Arizona's schedule is looking for new and revolutionary ways to stop or contain Fitzgerald.

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Cardinals Want to Seal Leaks

If they weren't worried then, the Arizona Cardinals are concerned now. After struggling through the preseason offensively, the Cardinals' attack sputtered again in a 20-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sept. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Cardinals are taking this week to improve and make sure this week's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sept. 20 on the road is different.

"You're dang right we're upset," safety Adrian Wilson told The Arizona Republic. "and that's why there's going to be a lot of yelling around here in the next 48 hours."

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Cardinals See No Evil, Hear No Evil

The Arizona Cardinals are so focused on the season opener with the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 13 at University of Phoenix Stadium, that they haven't noticed anything else.

All the causes for concern? Never saw them. The 0-4 preseason? Doesn't matter. It's as if it never happened. Heck, Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson is so focused on picking up a Week One victory that he has forgotten the identity of his opponent.

Arizona is so focused on building upon last year's success--a NFC West Division title and a Super Bowl appearance--that no other outside influences matter. The critics say the Cardinals will be one-year wonders. Flukes of the 2008 season. A team primed for a reality check.

Arizona, on the other hand, claims, well, nothing.

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