On Sunday, the Washington Commanders (2-1, T-1st NFC East) will travel to Glendale, Arizona, to take on the Arizona Cardinals (1-2, T-2nd NFC West) at State Farm Stadium. Recently, Washington secured a thrilling victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 38-33 during Monday Night Football. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels showcased his talent, throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns. The Commanders have bounced back impressively, winning two consecutive games after their season opener. In contrast, the Cardinals fell short against the Detroit Lions last Sunday, losing 20-13, with only 277 yards of total offense. Arizona’s lone victory this season was a commanding 41-10 win against the LA Rams. Both teams will face challenges on the field, as Washington will be without key players like RB Austin Ekeler, DE Clelin Ferrell, and QB Marcus Mariota, while several others are listed as questionable. Similarly, Arizona will miss OT Jonah Williams, CB Elijah Jones, OT Christian Jones, and DE Darius Robinson, among others, also dealing with questionable statuses.
Washington’s Offensive Prowess and Defensive Weakness
The Washington Commanders are currently averaging 26.3 points per game, ranking them 5th in the league, with a total of 360.0 yards per game, placing them 6th. Their rushing game shines, averaging 153.7 yards (5th), while their passing game stands at 206.3 yards (15th). Quarterback Jayden Daniels has amassed 664 passing yards and two touchdowns, though he has faced challenges with nine sacks. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. leads the ground attack with 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin stands out with 12 receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown.
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Despite their offensive success, Washington’s defense has struggled significantly, allowing an average of 29.3 points (29th) and 377.3 yards (29th) per game. The Commanders’ defense concedes 121.7 rushing yards (17th) and an alarming 255.7 passing yards (31st) per game. Linebacker Bobby Wagner has emerged as the team’s leading tackler with 27, while DE Clelin Ferrell, who is currently injured, leads in quarterback sacks with two. Washington has recorded four quarterback sacks so far but has yet to secure an interception this season.
Arizona’s Balanced Attack and Defensive Concerns
The Arizona Cardinals are putting up an impressive average of 27.3 points (4th) and 345.3 total yards (7th) per game. Their rushing attack is strong, averaging 144.0 yards (9th), while their passing game is slightly behind at 21.3 yards (17th). Quarterback Kyler Murray has accumulated 635 passing yards alongside five touchdowns and a single interception, facing six sacks in the process. Running back James Conner leads the team with 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. has caught 10 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, making a significant impact in his debut season.
On the defensive side, Arizona has allowed 21.3 points (19th) and 323.3 yards (17th) per game. They permit 123.3 rushing yards (19th) and 200.0 passing yards (16th) per game. Linebacker Kyzir White leads in tackles with 29, and safety Budda Baker follows closely with 25 tackles but is listed as questionable for the upcoming matchup. Dennis Gardeck stands out with a team-leading 3.0 quarterback sacks, contributing to the Cardinals’ total of nine sacks and one interception made this season.
Key Betting Insights for Washington Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona’s scoring average of 27.3 points per game is among the highest in the NFL, ranking 4th overall. They allow an average of 21.3 points per game, which, while positioned at 19th, still represents a six-point difference compared to their scoring output. Washington’s recent performance against Cincinnati showcased their offensive capabilities, but the Bengals’ defense has struggled since last season. The Commanders will miss the contributions of RB Austin Ekeler, out due to a concussion. Despite scoring the 5th highest points in the league at 26.3 per game, Washington’s defense ranks 29th, allowing a concerning 29.3 points per game. Facing a Washington pass defense that struggles, Arizona is positioned 16th in passing offense, averaging 200.0 yards per game. Additionally, Washington’s short week after a Monday night game poses a challenge as they travel across the country to face Arizona.
