This matchup of potential playoff teams will come down to which team wants to end a two game losing streak more, the 9-3 Arizona Cardinals or the 7-5 Kansas City Chiefs. The host Cardinals are 6-0 at home this season but must face the Chiefs without their starting quarterback and running back. Arizona has seen their three game lead in the NFC West fall to just a game over the 8-4 Seattle Seahawks, who face 9-3 Philadelphia on Sunday.
Drew Stanton has done a decent job filling in for the injured Carson Palmer but they will now be without top running back Andre Ellington as well. The good news for Arizona is that Larry Fitzgerald may return after missing the last two weeks with a bruised knee. Without Ellington, Stanton will need Fitzgerald to help pick up the slack.
Kansas City has also struggled the last two weeks, losing to the previously winless Oakland Raiders and then the Denver Broncos. Coach Andy Reid said running back Jamaal Charles played on a bruised knee last week, which limited him and contributed to his poor performance. Reid also said that Charles was a full participant in practice this week and will play. Kansas City had a five game winning streak snapped by Oakland and the Chiefs are currently third in the AFC West. For Kansas City the key will be to get the offense going early, something they haven't done the last two weeks. They have gotten behind early and found it difficult to catch up. Arizona will need to find a way to establish some sort of a run game to help take the pressure off of Stanton, especially if Fitzgerald does not play.
Both teams need a win but Kansas City needs it more as they are currently on the playoff bubble. Arizona is in a better position to overcome a loss. No matter the outcome, this is a big game with huge playoff implications. It will be a tough game for both teams as they try to shake off two weeks of poor play and losses.