:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40639668/455442714.0.jpg)
The Arizona Cardinals are one of those teams this season that are just fun to watch, whether it's seeing Carson Palmer bomb the ball to Michael Floyd or cheering the 'every man' story of Drew Stanton. Bruce Arians' history is fairly well known; he replaced Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano as Pagano battled and survived leukemia in 2012. Arians coached the Colts to a 9-3 record, turning Indianapolis around historically and accounting for the most wins as an interim head coach in NFL history.
The Colts under Pagano and Arians would completely flip their fortune after going 2-14 the previous year to 11-5 and earning rookie Andrew Luck a Pro Bowl spot. Arians was almost immediately hired to be Arizona's head coach following Indianapolis's 2012 playoff loss. Shortly after that he was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2012.
In 2013, Arians took the Cardinals to a 10-6 record and narrowly missed the playoffs as the third NFC West team in the tournament. Arians is the first Cardinalls coach to win at least nine wins in their first season since 1925.
So, why so much about Arians? Because he may be the best coach in the NFL. That's saying something with guys like Bill Belichick still around.
Who are the Cardinals and what can we expect? We know that Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but the guy on the other side of the line, Michael Floyd, has quietly surpassed everyone, leading the NFL in average yards per catch with a 22.9 on 11 receptions and 22 targets.
Whether Arizona's quarterback is Stanton or Palmer, neither has thrown an interception this season. Their defense currently ranks second in the NFL in scoring. The defense as a whole has only allowed four passing touchdowns, and Patrick Peterson seems to be a perennial All Pro until he retires.
Oh, and they didn't backpedal into 3-0 either. They've beaten the San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. The Giants and 49ers games came with Stanton under center and with Palmer suffering what is being called a 'set back' Stanton looks to be the guy against Denver as well.
Do you remember the part where I mentioned that Bruce Arians may be the best coach in the NFL?
-----
To buy tickets, visit the NFL Ticket Exchange.