With rain expected in Seattle on Sunday (surprise, surprise!), ball security will be even more important than usual.
This is an area where the Arizona Cardinals have excelled this season, along with the red zone, which are arguably two of the most important metrics for team success.
The Cardinals have made 30 appearances in the red zone this season, scoring 19 touchdowns and nine field goals. The touchdown percentage of 63.3 is seventh in the NFL and the scoring percentage of 93.3 is fourth.
On defense there were 35 opposing trips, which resulted in 17 touchdowns and 11 field goals. The TD percentage of 48.6 ranks 10th and two teams are just ahead at 48.3. The score of 80.0 is tied with seventh and three teams are at 79.3, 79.4 and 79.5.
In the current four-game winning streak, the Cardinals have scored nine touchdowns and four field goals on all 13 trips. Two of the latter emerged as winners at the last second.
Opponents had nine trips to the red zone, scoring three touchdowns (all by Miami) and four field goals. The Jets had two games that ended with a turnover and downs.
Now back to ball security.
The Cardinals are tied for 16th in the NFL with two other teams with an even ratio: 11 takeaways and 11 giveaways. The 11 turnovers are tied for ninth in the NFL with four other teams. Of the teams with fewer, two teams have 10, one has nine, two have eight, one has seven and two have five.
Only one team (the Chargers with one) has fewer three interceptions than the Cardinals, while three others have three.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing noted that one of quarterback Kyler Murray's three interceptions was a tipped pass and said, “I think he took care of the football really well.” The ball doesn't go where it goes every time, but most of the time belongs. He makes smart decisions, he puts us in a position to win football games and gives us that chance.
“And then you certainly see him being off-kilter and showing some of his game-breaking mentality or ability, but I think the decision-making and flow in the passing game was really good.”
Murray said: “I think when I played this position I always tried to take pride in the ball. I think it's just not about playing with fear or anything like that, but just being smart about the football and understanding where the outlets are when situations like that arise. Maybe scrambling, whatever it is, and just being careful with the ball. At the same time it also lets it rip.”
He obviously understands how much that relates to team success.
“If you don’t turn the ball over, I think that’s the difference between winning and losing,” Murray said. “Taking care of football is something that is non-negotiable. That's something you have to do when playing this position. You want to play it at a high level. (If) you want to be who you want to be in this league and go where you want to go, you have to worry about football. I understand that I put my team at a disadvantage when I give the ball away.”
Regarding Sunday in Seattle, Gannon concluded, “You have to be careful of the elements because you know it could rain there.” So we did a few things this week to prepare for that. That's why it was really cool back in Indy (at training camp) when we practiced against those guys in the rain.
“I mean, it was rain, rain and you saw some of the problems and we were able to train based on that. You have to play a little differently, but when it comes to the elements I always use, the first thing I think about is ball security. The double benefits, so you have to make sure that’s an advantage for us.”
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and more by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe to , or .