The tale of the two players facing their former teams Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium also is a tale of their teams.

Calais Campbell comes back to the Valley with the Jaguars, after his nine seasons with the Cardinals and beloved by the fans. He's already got a career-best 11½ sacks, he leads the best defense in the NFL and they are in first place in their division. Blaine Gabbert is long removed from his time in Jacksonville and he's the starting QB for the Cardinals now — despite beginning the season third-string — as the Cards have endured so many injuries and have moved in a lot of ways to evaluation mode with many players.

On paper, it's an uphill battle Sunday for the Cards. There is no other way to look at it. The Jags might be without top CB Jalen Ramsey, but in the end, they are playing better than the Cardinals right now and have momentum and the carrot of trying to secure the division. The Cardinals are without their top … well … too many to have it not matter.

The Cardinals can't let Leonard Fournette run all over them, and they have to protect Gabbert. Maybe Adrian Peterson can get loose — the Jaguars are only middle-of-the-pack in run defense, although they give up a paltry 14 points a game. The spotlight will be on Campbell and Gabbert in a lot of ways, and the Cardinals have to reverse each player's narrative to get a win.

-- Another spot to watch Sunday is what running back D.J. Foster can do on third downs. Foster gets his chance now that the Cards let Andre Ellington go. He had nine snaps (and two catches) a week ago and he's probably a better pass catcher than straight runner at this point. Coach Bruce Arians said receiving is what Foster does best.

"He's a little bit small to be a pass protector but he's tough enough," Arians said. "That's all you can ask a guy at his size, fight your tail off and get your ass kicked with dignity."

-- We all know Chad Williams, the third-round pick, will get snaps this weekend with John Brown injured. It's a crucial time for Williams, who frankly is being counted on in as a key component of next year's receiving corps. Larry Fitzgerald had good things to say about Williams' maturity and work ethic. Now we see it on the field.

-- Carlton Agudosi, whom Fitz and Arians also praised, also could play Sunday with Brittan Golden dealing with a groin issue — although the last time Golden battled that groin injury, he didn't practice Friday and still played Sunday.

-- If you didn't see Fitz's comments about Campbell, please check them out.

-- Unfortunately for Fitz, he was fined $24,309 for the crackback block he was flagged for Sunday in Houston. The Adrian Peterson rush gained no yards, regardless.

-- There has been a lot of talk about Campbell's ability to get to play defensive end in the Jaguars' 4-3 scheme and how it was his natural spot. Campbell was in a 3-4 in the base defense here in Arizona and then played inside in the Cards' four-down-linemen passing down packages. Campbell still moves inside for the Jags on obvious passing downs. Here was his take:

"All of it plays a role," Campbell said. "I always thought it'd be nice to play on the outside in the 4-3 scheme. That's where I played in college and pretty much most of my life, but at the end of the day, I'm a football player. Put me anywhere you want me to, and I'm going to give my best shot. But, it's cool being able to play on the edge a little bit, and I still get the rock inside and go back to the three-technique on third down, which is fun. I think that's been beneficial. It's a combination of a few things. A lot of good players around me make my job a lot easier."

-- There is one other "revenge" scenario for Sunday. Cardinals right guard Earl Watford signed a free-agent deal with the Jaguars last offseason, got $1 million guaranteed and was still cut at the end of the preseason. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone: "Unfortunately, he was hurt for a long period of time. Then, we just had players that were playing, and he did a nice job. It was a tough decision." Watford declined to talk about his time in Jacksonville, brief as it was.

-- Through 11 weeks, Fitzgerald had more receiving yards — 546, of his 768 — out of the slot than anyone else in the NFL, according to ESPN.

-- A note from our esteemed social media manager Brandon Naidus, who once worked for the Jaguars (and who would undoubtedly be disappointed if I did not drop this in): The Jaguars have drafted three quarterbacks in the first round during their history, and all three will be on hand Sunday. Blake Bortles (2014) is their current starter. Gabbert (2011) is the Cardinals starter. And Byron Leftwich (2003) is the Cardinals' quarterback coach.

-- It's interesting to see the dichotomy between the fan bases on Gabbert this week. Cardinals' fans are (rightfully) encouraged by Gabbert's play last week and are anxious to see him play again. Jaguars' fans also are excited to see Gabbert this week — mostly because they feel he will not succeed. Clearly there are still hard feelings there with Gabbert's failures as the Jacksonville QB.

-- Don't forget there is a food drive Sunday, so bring your canned goods and/or a monetary donation. They will be accepted at all stadium entrances.

-- Might the Cardinals be able to run the ball a little? Adrian Peterson has a combined 55 yards rushing the last two games. If Gabbert's task isn't hard enough in the first place, another sluggish running effort could cripple the Cardinals.

"It's something those guys are taking personal up front, and I'm taking it personally as well," Peterson said.

-- See you Sunday, where you come for the reunions, and stay for how the season begins to play out for the Cardinals.