Arizona Cardinals Week 15 Preview

Introduction

As we dive deeper into the 2024 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves at a crucial juncture following a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. The defeat, which saw the Cardinals fall 18-30, highlighted some glaring issues in both offensive and defensive efficiencies. However, the team is not without hope as they prepare for a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots. Let’s take a closer look at how the Cardinals' performance metrics have evolved from Week 14 to Week 15, and what fans can expect in the upcoming game.

Power Ranking

After Week 14, the Arizona Cardinals found themselves sitting at a power ranking of 10, boasting a win rate of 59.4% against a median opponent. Fast forward to Week 15, and the Cardinals have nudged up slightly to a power ranking of 9, with a win rate now at 59.8%. While this upward trend is encouraging, it’s essential to remember that anything above 16th place indicates a team that is still in the bottom half of the league. The Cardinals need to capitalize on this momentum and translate it into wins on the field.

Overall Drive Efficiency

Drive efficiency is a critical metric that reflects a team's ability to sustain drives and convert opportunities into points. In Week 14, the Cardinals ranked a dismal 29th in offensive drive efficiency, which is a glaring red flag for any playoff aspirations. This week, they improved marginally to 28th, but let’s be honest, folks—this is still a far cry from where they need to be. The Cardinals must find ways to be more effective in moving the chains and scoring, especially when facing a formidable opponent like the Patriots.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals ranked 24th in defensive drive efficiency in Week 14. This ranking didn’t improve much in Week 15, where they sit at 22nd. This indicates that the defense has struggled to prevent opposing offenses from advancing down the field. With the Patriots coming to town, the Cardinals must tighten up their defensive schemes and find ways to disrupt drives before they can turn into points. After all, a good defense is the best offense—unless you’re the Cardinals, apparently.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

The Cardinals' offensive drive efficiency has been a topic of concern, and rightfully so. Ranking 29th in Week 14 and slightly improving to 28th in Week 15, it’s clear that the offense has not been firing on all cylinders. With only 356 yards gained in Week 14 and two turnovers, the Cardinals need to find a rhythm. The upcoming matchup against the Patriots will be a crucial test for the offense to prove they can put together efficient drives and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

When it comes to generating turnovers, the Cardinals have been lackluster. Their defensive turnover efficiency has not been a strong suit, and while they didn’t force any turnovers against the Seahawks, they need to step up their game. The ability to create turnovers can swing the momentum of a game, and the Cardinals must find ways to capitalize on any mistakes made by the Patriots. If they can’t generate turnovers, they’ll be in for a long afternoon.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

On the flip side, the Cardinals have struggled with their own offensive turnovers, recording two in their last game. This has been a consistent issue that has plagued them throughout the season. As they head into Week 15, they must prioritize ball security. The Patriots are known for capitalizing on mistakes, and the Cardinals cannot afford to give them extra possessions. Protecting the football will be key to their success.

Drive Time

The Cardinals currently rank 26th in drive time, indicating that they are taking longer to move the ball down the field. While it’s great to maintain possession, they need to find a balance between time-consuming drives and scoring efficiency. The Patriots will be looking to exploit any slow drives, so the Cardinals must find ways to quicken their pace while still being productive. A quick-strike offense could be just what the doctor ordered.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to their Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots, the Cardinals are favored by 4.5 points with an over/under set at 46.0 points. The simulations from advancedfootballstats.com predict the most common final score to be 26-17 in favor of the Cardinals, with a 72.85% chance of winning and a 62.85% chance of covering the spread. While these numbers are encouraging, the Cardinals must execute on both sides of the ball to turn these predictions into reality. The Patriots are no pushovers, and the Cardinals will need to bring their A-game to secure a vital victory.

Conclusion

In summary, the Arizona Cardinals have shown some signs of improvement in their metrics from Week 14 to Week 15, but there is still much work to be done. With an upward trend in power ranking and slight improvements in drive efficiency, the team has the potential to turn things around. However, they must address their defensive struggles and offensive turnovers if they want to come out on top against the Patriots. As always, the journey continues, and we’re here to provide you with all the data-driven insights you need as the Cardinals strive for success this season.

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.