Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills: Preview, prediction

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Arizona Cardinals take to the road for the first time this season as they face the Buffalo Bills.

The Arizona Cardinals, on their first road game of the season, pay a visit to the struggling Buffalo Bills. The Bills (0-2) are coming off of a tough 37-31 loss to the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. On the other hand, the Cardinals (1-1) feasted on Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their way to a 40-7 victory.

History: The Cardinals and the Bills have faced each other 10 times in the regular season, with the Cardinals playing 5 of these games as the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have an all time 4-6 record against the Bills. The last win against the Bills came in Week 5 of the 2008 season where Kurt Warner connected with Larry Fitzgerald twice in a 41-17 victory.

What: Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills

Where: New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

When: 10:00 AM Arizona Time (1:00 PM EST)

TV: Fox

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM

Keys to Victory:

The offense looked much more comfortable in Week 2 against the Bucs. On top of that, Carson Palmer was able to lead the offense to scores on 6 of their 12 drives.

Last week, Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like a perennial Pro Bowler against a subpar Bills defense. Palmer is a much better quarterback with more dangerous weapons and should be able pick apart the defense a la Fitzpatrick.

Larry Fitzgerald has had a great start to the season, catching 13 passes for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns. Against a Bills secondary that has struggled to keep up with receivers, Fitzgerald should continue his hot streak.

Jaron Brown has stepped up significantly in place of both Michael Floyd and John Brown who have yet to arrive this season. In 2 games, Brown has been reliable catching 3 of his 4 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. While the volume isn’t there, the dependability is which will come in handy when Fitzgerald is double teamed.

Meanwhile, running back David Johnson had a terrible game against Tampa according to head coach Bruce Arians. Johnson didn’t reach the end zone and also ran an incorrect route that almost led to an interception in the end zone. Last week was last week and Johnson should replicate the success that Matt Forte had against the Bills last week.

On the injury side, right guard Evan Mathis did not travel make the trip to Buffalo. Instead, the ever versatile Earl Watford will be starting in his place.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive back Marcus Cooper (41) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman following last week’s loss and promoted offensive assistant Anthony Lynn to his position. Given a change of coordinators, one would like the Cardinals defense’s chances in this one.

Bills running back LeSean McCoy figures to be a big part of Buffalo’s game plan, and Arizona will do whatever is necessary to stop the run. Arizona will also need to contain quarterback Tyrod Taylor and force him to beat them with his arm.

While it isn’t official, rookie Brandon Williams most likely lost his starting job to newcomer Marcus Cooper. Cooper impressed in last week’s win picking off Jameis Winston twice, and returning one interception for a touchdown. Whoever ends up starting will have a busy day, as Taylor will target any corner not named Patrick Peterson.

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is questionable with a foot injury. While it looks like that he will be inactive, he still hasn’t been officially ruled out. It won’t be any easier for him as he will be covered by Patrick Peterson for most of the game if he indeed plays.

Rookie long snapper Kameron Canaday has gotten off to a rough start in his young NFL career. While Arians has said they won’t be looking for a replacement, the time may come if he continues to look shaky.

Odds:

Arizona -3.5

O/U 47

Prediction:

Arizona looked like Super Bowl contenders last week and will look to set the tone for what they hope to be a long season with a win on the road. The offense should turn in a dominating performance 2 weeks in a row against a struggling Bills defense. If the corner opposite Peterson can prove to not be an Achilles heel, the defense should be able to keep Tyrod Taylor and the Bills offense at bay.

Arizona Cardinals 31 Buffalo Bills 16