Tough Test for Arizona Cardinals as they face Impressive New England Patriots in Week 2
It’s going to be one of the toughest tests for Arizona Cardinals this season as their team visits the imposing Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots on Sunday September 16, 2012.
The New England Patriots are one of the strongest sides in the National Football League (NFL) and quarterback Tom Brady continues to showcase the form and accuracy which makes him one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
His support cast consisting of star tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are capable of making big plays anytime while the first week also showcased a new star on the block in running back Stevan Ridley.
Ridley rushed for 125 yards and scored a touchdown from 21 carries while Brady passed for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
Speaking at the end of the game the running back said:
"We're talented, man, at every position. We've got tight ends, we've got receivers. We've got one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best quarterback, an offensive line that's working hard and a group of young running backs that's trying to come in there
every chance that we get."
This makes the Patriots offence one of the most fearsome and if week 1 observations are anything to go by the New England defence too has improved considerably.
Against the Tennessee Titans in week 1 the Patriots defence delivered one of their most complete performances with new draft picks delivering the goods on their debuts.
The Titans were limited on the rush to just 20 yards from 16 carries while their quarterback Jake Locker was sacked twice while he was also forced to fumble with the ball returned to the end zone for a touchdown.
If the Patriots deliver another such performance the Arizona Cardinals are in for a long night in week 2.
The last time Arizona faced off against the Patriots was in 2008 when the Patriots ran riot and came out 47-7 victors.
Arizona Cardinals faced a tough test against the Seattle Seahawks in week 1 but eventually managed to find a way to victory and won the game 20-16.
With starting quarterback John Skelton injuring his ankle in the fourth quarter, Kevin Kolb took over duties at quarterback and led the Cardinals offence to an 80-yard game winning drive with Andre Roberts scoring the touchdown that sent Arizona to victory.
Kolb is likely to start the game in Skelton’s absence and will be the perfect opportunity for him to make a statement and win back his starting job.
"I'm just going to play and let things take care of the way they're supposed to end up, so we'll see what happens."
The Patriots are a completely different beast and they will be heavy favourites to win comfortably over the Cardinals.
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