Arizona Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Week 13 Preview
In the waning weeks of a season mostly full of disappointment, the Arizona Cardinals will face another tough opponent in the 7-4 Steelers.
Here's how the Cards match up against their AFC North opponent this week:
Team overviews
The Cardinals come into this week sitting at 25th in the NFL in points per game, clipping well under 20 at 17.2. Arizona has had their fair share of struggles moving the ball, and sit at 21st in yards per game, averaging just under 300.
Pittsburgh, however, is no better off than the Cardinals in the offensive department.
The Steelers rank below Arizona offensively, putting up just 16.5 points per game and picking up 292.9 yards per game. In the week following the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada, Pittsburgh marked their first 400-yard offensive performance since Week 2 of the 2020 season.
But despite the offensive explosion, the Steelers were still only able to muster 16 points against division rival Cincinnati Bengals. If Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals can find a way to put up steady points, there is little threat from Pickett and co. offensively.
However, this could prove to be a difficult task.
Where the teams show a true disparity is in their defensive production. The Steelers are fourth in the NFL in points allowed per game--allowing just 18.6 points to opposing offenses.
They do allow the 10th-most yards per game, surrendering an average of 354.4 per game, but the third-fewest touchdowns, giving up an average of less than two TDs per game.
Arizona's defense doesn't exactly compete with Pittsburgh's. The Cards are giving up the second-most points per game (26.8), and the third-most yards per game (358.5). They also allow the most first downs per game (22.5), and the highest third down conversion rate (47%).
Pittsburgh allows barely over 40% of red zone drives to end in touchdowns. The Cardinals will have to find a way to extend and finish drives, and avoid negative plays or penalties.
Giving the Steelers an opportunity to pressure Kyler Murray in crucial downs could spell death for Arizona.
Where these teams even out, surprisingly so, is in the sack department. Both the Steelers and Cardinals have 32.0 team sacks in 2023, but where that production comes from is a different story...
Players to watch
Steelers LB T.J. Watt
The entire league knows the name. Watt is tied for the league lead in sacks, with an impressive 13.5 on the season so far. Whether Watt is bringing down the QB or not, the star pass rusher is a complete game-wrecker, tying opponents hands with regards to protection schemes.
Arizona's offensive line will have a serious challenge ahead of them. And Watt isn't the only threat.
They'll have to pay fair respect to DEs Larry Ogunjobi and Cam Heyward while protecting Murray as well.
Cardinals RB James Conner
It's a homecoming for the former Pittsburgh kid.
Conner was born in Pennsylvania, and played his college ball at Pitt before becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler and, eventually, a Cardinal.
After offensive coordinator Drew Petzing drew up only six carries for the powerful RB, the Cardinals will have to get back to basics this week offensively. With the potential onslaught of pressure on Kyler Murray, the run game will be absolutely crucial for Arizona.
Conner is averaging an astounding 5.1 yards per carry this season, despite being given what seems to be fewer and fewer touches per game.
With the Steelers ranking in the lower half of the NFL against the run (118.4 yards allowed per game), and boasting a nearly unstoppable pass rush, Petzing has to get Conner the ball frequently.
Establish the run, keep the drives going and set up play action to make the DL overcommit. I've been preaching it for weeks, but run Conner from under center and let him build up momentum.
Steelers CB Patrick Peterson
It's another homecoming... of sorts.
It's no secret the veteran corner didn't leave Arizona on the best of terms, although most of that seemed to be connected to his relationship with former GM Steve Keim.
Peterson posted a photo of him in a Cardinals uniform on his instagram on Friday, with the caption "I remember what yall said.... Lemme not go there Tho"
Peterson has allowed the highest passer rating since 2019 with Pittsburgh (100.6). Opposing QBs are completing just under 60% of passes in his direction, averaging 13.0 yards per completion.
The veteran has only one interception on the season. In his prior two games against Arizona--both as a member of the Minnesota Vikings--he recorded only five tackles. It will be interesting to see if Murray tries to look Peterson's way, and who comes out on top.
Cardinals WR Greg Dortch
With rookie WR Michael Wilson out another week, the burden will fall on Dortch once again to pick up the slack.
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown has certainly been MIA for the Cardinals, with the exception of some garbage-time yards. The speedy, undersized WR archetype for the Cardinals hasn't been represented well by Brown. Dortch, however, is coming off of back-to-back solid outings, including a one-handed TD grab in heavy one-on-one coverage against the Los Angeles Rams.
Arizona's WR situation has gone from bad to worse. With no more DeAndre Hopkins or A.J. Green, the birds have been devoid of size, and in desperate need of some production from their younger pass-catchers. Both Hollywood Brown and Rondale Moore have been disappointing, and injuries have plagued Michael Wilson.
Dortch has the ability to be a driving weapon. With the offense getting thinner and thinner, and a lockdown Steelers secondary focused on the likes of Brown and TE Trey McBride, look for the 5'7 slot receiver to see some more action.
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth
In just his second game back from a lengthy stint on Injured Reserve, the third-year tight end hauled in nine passes for 120 yards, a career high. The big target was a menace in the middle of the field.
With QB Kenny Pickett seemingly unable to rely on WR Diontae Johnson, the Cardinals will likely focus on WR George Pickens in coverage, which could leave Freiermuth with plenty of room to work over the middle.
The Cardinals LB group is quite thin--hurt by the injury to Kyzir White. Tight ends have given Arizona plenty of trouble over the years, so it will be up to the excellent safety tandem of Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker to help keep Freiermuth in check.
Cardinals S Jalen Thompson
No longer is Budda Baker the (only) star of the Cardinals secondary. The young defensive back has been a huge bright spot of a very lackluster unit. Thompson is coming off back-to-back games with an interception, picking off C.J. Stroud and Matthew Stafford in Arizona's prior two games.
As mentioned, Thompson will likely share some of the responsibility of covering Freiermuth in the middle of the field. The fifth-year man out of Washington State is second in total tackles for Arizona with 55, behind only the injured Kyzir White.
Opposing QBs have a rating of just 73.9 when targeting him, and he leads the Cards in interceptions.
Thompson was, however, on the injury report with a rib issue this week. If healthy, look for the star safety to have another solid game against a weak Pittsburgh passing attack.
Injuries
The Cardinals have had a rough stretch of injuries in 2023.
For their matchup against the Steelers, WR Michael Wilson is out along with starting CBs Antonio Hamilton and Starling Thomas V, and OL Elijah Wilkinson.
Thompson was added to the report with a rib injury. He was a limited participant in practice on Friday, and is questionable for Sunday's game.
Arizona's secondary will stay extremely thin, along with their offensive skill group.
WR Hollywood Brown and TE Trey McBride were also dealing with injuries in practice.
Brown is "trending in the right direction," but did not practice this week. per head coach Jonathan Gannon, while McBride told the media on Friday that he feels "ready to go," for tomorrow's game. They are both questionable.
The Steelers also had a slew of players on the injury report, but DT Montravius Adams is the only one who carries a designation going into the game. All others appear to be playing.
In a season where nothing has exactly been easy, the Cards will face another tough opponent on Sunday. While this looks like a game where Arizona's defense will be able to make their presence known, the offense will have to get rolling--and fast--against a brutally destructive Steelers pass rush.
Look for a low-scoring game that comes down to one possession. Offensive production could be few and far between for both sides.
