Arizona Cardinals Week 12 Preview

Introduction

As we dive into Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves reflecting on a hard-fought battle against the Houston Texans in Week 11. The game ended with a narrow 21-16 defeat, but it provided us with a treasure trove of data to analyze. While the scoreboard may not have favored us, the numbers tell a different story. Let’s break down our performance and see how we stack up against our upcoming opponent, the Los Angeles Rams.

Power Ranking

Currently, the Arizona Cardinals sit at a power ranking of 24, with a win rate of 46.0% against a median opponent. This ranking places us firmly in the bottom half of the league, but it’s important to remember that power rankings are a reflection of the past. With each game, there’s an opportunity to climb the ranks and prove the doubters wrong. The upcoming matchup against the Rams presents a chance to improve our standing and show that we can compete with the best.

Overall Drive Efficiency

Our overall drive efficiency ranks 22nd in the league, which is certainly not where we want to be. In Week 11, we managed to gain 319 yards, but with 2 turnovers, our efficiency took a hit. While we showed flashes of brilliance, we need to convert more of our drives into points. The key to improving our overall efficiency lies in tightening up our execution and minimizing mistakes. The Rams will be a tough challenge, and we’ll need to step up our game if we want to make a statement.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side of the ball, we rank 21st in defensive drive efficiency. This statistic reflects our struggle to consistently halt opposing offenses. In Week 11, the Texans racked up 419 yards against us, which is a clear indication that we need to tighten our coverage and improve our tackling. The Rams are known for their offensive firepower, so enhancing our defensive efficiency will be crucial if we want to keep them from marching down the field.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

Our offensive drive efficiency is slightly better, ranking 19th in the league. While we have the potential to move the ball effectively, our inability to capitalize on opportunities has been a recurring theme. The good news is that we have a high drive time ranking at 5th, which suggests that when we do get moving, we can control the clock and maintain possession. However, we need to convert those long drives into touchdowns rather than field goals if we want to see improvement in our offensive efficiency.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

Unfortunately, our defensive turnover efficiency ranks 25th, which means we’re not generating turnovers at a rate that can swing games in our favor. Against the Texans, we allowed them to turn the ball over three times, but we failed to capitalize on those opportunities. If we want to turn our season around, creating turnovers will be essential. The Rams have shown they can be prone to mistakes, so we’ll need to be opportunistic and take advantage of any chances that come our way.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

Our offensive turnover efficiency is even worse, ranking 28th in the league. With 2 turnovers against the Texans, we’re making it difficult for ourselves to win games. Protecting the ball is paramount, and we must focus on ball security in practice leading up to the Rams game. If we can limit our turnovers, we’ll give ourselves a much better chance to compete.

Drive Time

As mentioned earlier, our drive time ranks 5th in the league, which is a double-edged sword. While it indicates that we can maintain possession and control the tempo of the game, it also suggests that we’re taking too long to score. In a league where quick strikes can change the momentum in an instant, we need to find a balance between taking our time and being efficient. The Rams will be looking to exploit any slow drives we have, so we need to be ready to strike when the opportunity arises.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to Week 12, we face the Los Angeles Rams, who are favored by 2.5 points. The Rams have shown they can be a formidable opponent, sitting at a higher power ranking and boasting a strong offensive drive efficiency at 12th in the league. Our simulations indicate that we have a 55.55% chance of winning, with the most common score being Cardinals 27, Rams 24. This matchup is crucial for both teams, as we aim to improve our standings and gain momentum heading into the latter part of the season. If we can clean up our turnovers and capitalize on our offensive opportunities, we have a real shot at pulling off an upset.

Conclusion

As we prepare for this pivotal matchup against the Rams, it’s clear that we have our work cut out for us. The numbers may not be in our favor, but statistics can change quickly in the NFL. With a focus on improving our drive efficiency, protecting the ball, and generating turnovers, we can turn our season around. Let’s rally together and show the league what the Arizona Cardinals are made of!

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Arizona Cardinals' journey throughout the 2023 NFL season.