Buccaneers: How Do They Stop the Cardinals' Offense?

How Can the Buccaneers Stop the Cards? A Pewter Plank Roundtable

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians reacts prior to the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass in the second half against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Alan Schechter

Getting to the quarterback is essential to stopping a high-powered offense. The Cardinals’ offense is a group that likes to go for the big strike. Players like Michael Floyd make their living down the field. Routes such as go routes need time to develop. If the Bucs can get in the face of Palmer, those routes don’t have enough time to be effective.

As Bailey mentioned, they cannot live on the blitz. According to Pro Football Focus, Palmer completed 10 out of 15 passes against the Patriots when he was blitzed. The line picks it up well and a veteran quarterback knows how to handle it. But, when New England got to Palmer with their straight pass rush, he was barely over 50% at 7-13. Get to Palmer with three and four man rushes, and it will be the Bucs’ day.

Next: Bucs vs. Cards Five Game Changing Players

What do you think the most important key to stopping the Cardinals’ offense is?

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