INSIDE SLANT
NFL Team Report - Arizona Cardinals</h2><br>Cardinals hope RB Johnson has turned the corner<p></p> The Arizona Cardinals still insist there weren't any moral victories in only losing on the road to the Chiefs by 12 points, but they found something worth cherishing during their 26-14 defeat at Arrowhead Stadium that they hope to build upon moving forward, starting this Sunday against the visiting Raiders.<p></p> It was the revival of running back David Johnson as the two-pronged primary threat of an offense that's gone missing for most of this season.<p></p> Johnson, though, set season highs in yards from scrimmage (183), rushing yards (98) and receiving yards (85). He also tied his season high with two touchdowns.<p></p> "It felt good. It made me feel like it was back to two years ago - the 2016 offense," he said. "We got some momentum going as an offense running the ball. We got some confidence going as well."<p></p> New offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich made no secret about reverting back to some of the offensive philosophies he learned as quarterbacks coach under Bruce Arians the previous two seasons, especially as it relates to better utilizing Johnson.<p></p> "As long as David is getting yardage and he's getting in the end zone," head coach Steve Wilks said, "I don't care what it feels like."<p></p> Johnson hadn't really enjoyed a breakout game this season until this past week. He felt it was going to happen, though, and not just because the Chiefs are prone to allowing a ton of yardage to their opponents.<p></p> "Me and Leftwich have been talking and we've been communicating about trying to find ways to get me the ball and he did a great job," Johnson said. "I felt real comfortable, got a good rhythm going this last game, and it felt good."<p></p> Asked on Wednesday if it's the beginning of a trend that is reminiscent of his All-Pro season two years ago when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns, Johnson smiled at the thought.<p></p> "I hope so. I definitely hope so," he said. "And I think it will. I think it will as Leftwich gets more comfortable being the OC and everybody gets more comfortable playing together and hopefully, staying healthy. If that happens, then it definitely will lead to that."<p></p> The Cardinals are pretty beat up along their offensive line, however. They lost right guard Justin Pugh to a MCL tear in his left knee against the Chiefs and he's now on injured reserve. Left guard Mike Iupati missed the game with a nagging back problem. And on Wednesday, left tackle D.J. Humphries was among several players missing practice.<p></p> "I think we're going to be OK," rookie center Mason Cole said. "The guys behind everyone who have been hurt will step up. These guys are ready to go, no matter who it is. I think no matter who's in there we'll have a good game plan, try to get David going again, and try to get after the Raiders."<p></p> There has been a couple noticeable changes in Johnson's running style the past couple of games. He's attacking the line of scrimmage with a little more ferocity and intent. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson, he said, has been reminding him to run more in a downhill fashion and quit trying to bounce as much.<p></p> "Maybe those 1-yarders, make them 3 and that will open things up and put more confidence in the offense, the offensive line, the offensive coordinator, seeing me run the ball and trying to ground and pound it and lower the shoulder," Johnson said. "Hopefully, it will put more confidence in everyone else and I think it did."<p></p> SERIES HISTORY: 10th regular-season meeting. Raiders lead series, 5-4. The Cardinals have won the last two meetings in the series, which dates back to 1973. The last time the teams met, Arizona scored a 24-13 victory in Oakland in 2014. The last time the Raiders visited Arizona, in 2010, they lost when they missed a 32-yard field goal as time expired and the Cardinals held on for a 24-23 win. Although these teams are infrequent regular-season opponents, they've met 15 times in the last 23 preseasons.
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