Scully's NFL notebook: Cardinals keep rolling on the road
The headline of last week was the Baltimore Ravens' move to 5-1, after they ran it down the Chargers’ throats, and Lamar Jackson became the youngest quarterback to reach 35 wins, as he surpassed Hall of Famer Dan Marino for the most victories by a quarterback before age 25.
Let’s take a look at more storylines in this week’s NFL notebook.
Arizona keeps crushing road opponents
The lone undefeated team after six weeks, Arizona’s toughest games have come at home. The Cardinals escaped against Minnesota by a point and edged San Francisco by a touchdown.
But they’ve been dominant away from the desert.
After they whupped Cleveland as a three-point underdog in Week 6, the Cardinals increased their average win margin to 19.3 points from four road games. They also count the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee as roadkill.
Kyler Murray leads all quarterbacks in completion percentage (73.8%), ranks second in QBR (67.6), and Arizona can rely upon defense when necessary. The Cardinals allow a meager 18.2 points per game.
Put us all on notice.@K1 x #RedSea pic.twitter.com/eYiMgfQpj3
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 20, 2021
Taylor breaks out for Indianapolis
Jonathan Taylor has been the difference in the Colts’ two wins.
The second-year running back put away Houston, when he scampered for 83 yards midway through the third quarter in Week 6, which set up the first of two touchdown runs a few plays later, and Taylor finished with 145 rushing yards.
Jonathan Taylor turned the burners on for this run 😯
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/AoQSEjeYuX
Indianapolis can’t get him the ball enough, though. Taylor averaged 10.4 yards per carry against Houston, from 14 carries, and the Colts fed him only 16 times (103 rushing yards) in a Week 4 win over Miami. He hasn’t had more than 17 carries in a game this year.
Raiders bounce back
Jon Gruden’s resignation Monday didn’t stop the distractions surrounding Las Vegas, which faced a difficult task on the road in Denver, with a two-game losing streak and interim coach, but the Raiders emerged from the clamor with a decisive victory.
Derek Carr picked apart Denver, completed deep throw after deep throw, and finished with 341 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Raiders defense frustrated Teddy Bridgewater and forced four turnovers.
This throw from Derek Carr is perfect 🎯
— PFF (@PFF) October 17, 2021
pic.twitter.com/k9EMz9e8iL
Las Vegas led by three touchdowns entering the fourth quarter, and Denver looked like a shell of the team that opened the season 3-0.
Miami blues
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa performed well in his return from injury against Jacksonville, as he completed 34 of his 48 passes for 354 yards, but Miami’s defense could not slow down Trevor Lawrence and James Robinson when it counted.
Miami has been the most disappointing team this season and is 1-5, after its fifth consecutive loss.
Game of the week: Kansas City vs. Tennessee
Kansas City and Tennessee may have put early season struggles behind them, and the AFC teams will command the spotlight in Week 7’s must-see game.
After a 2-3 start, Kansas City got its potent offense back on track in Week 6, with 499 total yards against Washington.
Since a loss to the New York Jets, Tennessee has won two straight, including an impressive victory over Buffalo on Monday night, and the Titans will be fired up for another important home test.
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