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NFL Arizona Cardinals

Calais Campbell Will Be X-Factor for Arizona Cardinals in Week 5

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Chances are not many people predicted at the beginning of the season that the Arizona Cardinals would be the last undefeated team in the NFC, but it’s a reality as the Cards are 3-0. While Arizona has defeated three good teams, it gets even tougher this week as the Cardinals travel to play Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos on the road. If Arizona plans to stay perfect, defensive end Calais Campbell must be their X-Factor.

Campbell and the Cardinals’ defense have played very strong so far this season and Arizona has averaged only 15 points against per game. This week against the Broncos is Arizona’s chance to make a statement, which would be saying a few things. For one, it would prove that the Cards are indeed a contender this season and it would also show how good Arizona’s defense really is. They’re an underrated unit, but they play great together.

All of that aside, the Cardinals need Campbell to have a strong day and consistently get pressure on Manning. With Manning at the helm, along with all of Denver’s offensive weapons, there’s no chance of winning if he has time in the pocket. Campbell doesn’t necessarily have to sack Manning a bunch of times, but he needs to force him to get rid of the ball before he wants to.

Constant pressure hinders all quarterbacks, even future Hall of Famers, and Campbell and company need to make Manning uncomfortable in the pocket. While pressuring Manning is always one of the best ways to try and beat him, Campbell will be responsible for bringing the heat.

Campbell’s pretty much the lone pass-rushing threat left on the Cardinals’ defense. Arizona’s best pass rusher, John Abraham, is on injured reserve with a concussion and so is Darnell Dockett with a knee injury. Besides that, Karlos Dansby now plays for the Cleveland Browns, meaning that out of Arizona’s four best sack guys from last season, Campbell is the only one left.

Campbell was second to Abraham last season in Cardinal sacks with nine and has one so far in three games this season. Everybody knows that if Manning gets time to throw, the opposition is in for a long day. Considering Arizona’s starting quarterback Carson Palmer is going to miss his third-straight game, the defense is going to have to hold Denver’s dynamic offense to a below-average day. Overall, the Cardinals need to pressure Manning, and Campbell is the key to that.

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