D.J. Humphries makes a living protecting quarterbacks and creating holes for running backs, but on Friday, the veteran offensive lineman let his guard down – when asked a question from the local media.
Do the Cardinals (2-0) view Jacksonville (0-2) as a potential trap game Sunday?
"Coming off Week Two, everyone has been focused this week because if not for a little luck, we're sitting here 1-1," Humphries said. "So, I know our locker room hasn't thought about it being a trap game. We're not taking them lightly as a pushover team or anything."
"Any given Sunday in this league, you can think you're hot stuff and get whopped by a team you should've beat," Humphries added. "If you don't go out there and take it seriously enough, that's exactly what will happen."
The Cardinals enter Week Three undefeated, aiming to start a season 3-0 for the fifth time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The Cardinals have shown an explosive top-five offense in several categories and a roster that could get them to a playoff spot they crave.
The Jaguars – led by rookie coach Urban Meyer and No.1 overall pick quarterback Trevor Lawrence – are in the midst of a 17-game losing streak, including six in a row by double-digits, dating back to last season.
It explains why the Cardinals are a heavy favorite over Jacksonville, even with the cross-country travel and early (10 a.m. Arizona time) start.
But beating low-tier teams is a key to making such a playoff push. Just last season, the Cardinals had a chance to start 3-0 and were hosting a winless Lions team -- and Detroit won.
"As far as trap game goes, we were 2-0 last year, and we kind of (expletive) the bed the next game, last year," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "So, we're focused on this one, and we're going to give our all to this one."
The Cardinals enjoyed a 6-3 start before missing the playoffs, failing to beat the 49ers or Rams in Week 16 and 17. Both were injury-depleted teams relying on backup quarterbacks, and those were stinging losses that haven't been forgotten.
It's why the Cardinals won't overlook any team in 2021, including the Jaguars.
"They're very talented," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "Playing a lot of young players but athletic as anybody in the league. Trevor Lawrence, who everyone has talked about, and is probably one of the top prospects in the last 20-years – from a talent standpoint. So, they got it going in the right direction; we know we'll have our hands full."
