It's All About the D for the Arizona Cardinals [GIFs]

Ideally a coach likes to have a defense that is good against the run and the pass along with an offense that is just as talented at generating yards via the running and passing games. More often than not though it doesn't happen. It doesn't mean you have to suck if you are great at something else, but something usually does have to give.

In the case of Arizona it is pretty easy to see what it is about for the Cardinals--it's all about that D.

via Reddit

When Carson Palmer was lost to injury during the St. Louis Rams game it was the defense that stepped up to bring the win home. With a small lead the defense came up big with an interception by Patrick Peterson returned for a touchdown and a fumble returned for another touchdown by Antonio Cromartie:

via Reddit

via Reddit

To be fair to the offense Drew Stanton did throw a beauty of a 48-yard touchdown pass to John Brown to put the Cardinals on top, but it was the defense that allowed the team to stay on top. In the second half the Rams only had one drive that lasted more than four plays, an 11-play one at the end of the game that was basically garbage time.

With Stanton in control going forward the defense will be tested even more. While he did appear capable enough earlier in the season when he subbed in for an injured Palmer he is not even completing 50 percent of his passes. Combine that with a running game that averages just 83 yards a game and it normally does not translate in to wins.

That is, unless you have a defense like the Cardinals that is one of the stingiest in the league against the run (83 yards a game; only five rushing touchdowns all season), and while it may give up some yards in the passing game (274; 14 touchdowns allowed) it leads the league in interceptions (14).

In the coming weeks the defense will certainly be put to the test with two games against Seattle, one against Kansas City, and a tough one against Detroit this weekend. Should they survive all or most of them with a win there is a good chance history could be made.

A team hosting the Super Bowl might actually play in it.

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