COLTS AT CARDINALS
- 6:15 p.m. Saturday
- State Farm Stadium
- Line: Cardinals -1 (For more details see BetMGM.com)
The three biggest things to watch for Saturday when the Cardinals play the Colts at State Farm Stadium:
Taylor-ing A Defensive Game Plan
This game begins and ends with how the Cardinals deal with Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. He has been spectacular this season, the engine that makes the Colts go – and really, the main reason they have a chance at the postseason. The Cardinals are actually middle of the pack when it comes to run defense, but part of that has been because they have been a team that plays with the lead and prevents teams from completely leaning on the run. The Cards need to play with the lead, and they need to slow Taylor enough early that Colts QB Carson Wentz will have to make a bunch of plays. That's the formula for a Cardinals win.
The MVP-Type Kyler
The Cardinals didn't play well against the Lions, and that was in large part because their quarterback had his roughest game. His interception was a great play by the Lions defender, actually, but still, Murray's accuracy was off all day and there were times when he looked like he passed up sure shorter gains for the bigger play and it didn't work. When Murray is at his best, he's made fantastic decisions all game long and seemingly found whatever play was needed whenever the Cards needed it. The reality is this team is only going to go as far as Murray can take them. He's their best player. He can drive the losing streak out of existence.
Bringing Christmas Home
It'll be the third try to clinch a playoff spot, and while there are other scenarios that could lock that up even if the Cards lose, no one wants to face that idea. A win takes care of it all by themselves, and it would be on Christmas night, the ultimate gift for Cardinals fans. It wouldn't be a Christmas miracle – the Cards are a good team who happened to play a terrible game last week – but it would certainly serve some good cheer. (Oh, and with the Cards on a three-game home losing streak, it'd be nice to get that put to bed too.)
