Part of how this Cardinals' coaching staff approaches each game is that it is an entity on its own, with details and quirks that must be sorted ahead of time and accounted for in the postgame analysis. Trends do matter, though, and it's hard to overlook that the Cardinals have surrendered 188 and 216 yards rushing in back-to-back games (especially with a game against the run-talented 49ers next.)

To this, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis does look at the each-game-is-different perspective. But not every issue is about the opponent.

"There are things you have to identify no matter what opponent you are facing that we need to correct on our end no matter what," Rallis said. "That can be scheme-related, that can be technique-related, how we are practicing, how we have to train certain aspects better in (defending) the run game. Obviously, there are elements of, who are we playing, what do they do well?"

What the 49ers do well is take a terrible situation -- Christian McCaffrey, stud running back, is on IR and hasn't played a snap this season -- and make it better. In this case, Jordan Mason has come from nowhere to pile up 447 yards (4.7 yards a carry) thus far, a pace of 1,900 yards for the season.

The Cardinals only gave up 130 yards rushing to the Bills and 53 in the blowout win over the Rams. It was the past two games that got sideways.

The Packers, the road game the week after the 49ers trip, also await the Cardinals. Green Bay too has leaned into the run all season.

The Cardinals' offense needs to help the run defense with sustained drives, something it did not have enough of against Washington. But the Cardinals' defense also does control its destiny every drive if they don't want to wear down.

"If you're tired," Rallis said, "get off the field."