Cardinals vs Colts Fascinating Story Lines


By Walter Mitchell

1. Jonathan Gannon vs Shane Steichen --- one would think that having competed against each other every day in practice for two years in Philadelphia would give them a head start in game preparations. NFL head coaching records to date: Steichen 21-18; Gannon 14-25. (Note: it may be that Michael Bidwill's quid pro quo with the NFLPA and NFL with regard to the Cardinals fining Jonathan Gannon $100,000 for his altercation with Emari Demercado on the sidelines last Sunday, is what has enabled Gannon to avoid a suspension and be able to coach in this game). 

2. Marvin Harrison Jr.'s nostalgic return to Lucas Oil Stadium, the house that Peyton Manning and Hall of Fame dad, Marvin Harrison Sr., turned into an NFL Shangri-La.  

3. Jacoby Brissett's return to the stadium where he had two of his best three years of football as a starter:

--- 2017 --- 3,098 yards passing, 13 TDs, 7 ints., 81.7 RTG

--- 2019 --- 2,942 yards passing, 18 TDs, 6 ints., 88.0 RTG

His third being with Drew Petzing as his QB coach in Cleveland:

--- 2022 --- 2,608 yards passing, 12 TDs, 6 ints., 88.9 RTG

4. Potential revenge games for two former Cardinals' head coaching finalists --- Colts' linebacker coach James Bettcher (2018) and defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo (2023). Which team's defense will play better? Jonathan Gannon's and Nick Rallis'? Or Lou Anarumo's and James Betcher's?

5. The Cardinals' efforts last season to acquire QB Daniel Jones from the Giants at the trading deadline remains a topic of curiosity. 

6. What kind of a bounce-back game will the Cardinals get from RB Emari Demercado, who obviously didn't learn a thing from Jonathan Gannon's showcasing of Adonai Mitchell's dropping of the ball before the goal line of an easy TD which was a contributing factor in the Colt's only loss to date, 27-20 to the Rams at So-Fi Stadium? 

7. What kind of a hangover might the Cardinals have from their unfathomable 22-21 loss to the 1-4 Titans, whom the Colts beat 41-20?

8. When the Cardinals held joint practices with the Colts in 2024 at Indianapolis, they were summarily thrashed on both side of the ball, during which QB Anthony Richardson was en fuego. Curious on that occasion because Jonathan Gannon was devoting that majority of his time to watching the Cardinals' offense.


Colts' Top 5 on Defense:


1. ED Laiatu Latu --- 91.0 --- #5 ED

2. CB Charvarius Ward --- 83.4 --- #2 CB

3. CB Kenny Moore --- 80.8 --- #5 CB

4. S Camryn Bynum --- 73.7 --- #15 S

5. DI DeForest Buchner --- 73.6 --- #18 DI

Cardinals' Top 5 on Defense:

1. Will Johnson --- 84.5 --- #2 CB

2. Josh Sweat --- 77.3 --- #19 ED

3. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson --- 76.3 --- #14 S

4. Calais Campbell --- 76.1 --- #13 DI

5. Zaven Collins --- 73.1 --- #36 ED

Colts' Top 5 on Offense:


1. QB Daniel Jones --- 81.0 --- #7 QB

2. WR Josh Downs --- 79.4
3. --- #9 WR

G Quenton Nelson --- 77.6 --- #2 G

4. TE Tyler Warren --- 72.6 --- #9 TE

5. C Tanor Bortolini --- 72.0 --- #6 C

Cardinals' Top 5 on Offense:

1. Paris Johnson Jr. --- 76.1 --- #11 T

2. Trey McBride --- 76.1 --- #5 TE

3. Kyler Murray --- 72.1 --- #15 QB

4. Hjalte Froholdt --- 72.1 --- #4 C

5. Marvin Harrison Jr. --- 62.5 --- #53 WR

Team Rankins (through 5 games):

Records: 

IND: 4-1 (1st place in NFC South)

ARI: 2-3 (4th place in NFC West)

Overall: 

IND - #4
ARI - #26


Offense:

IND - #6
ARI - #26


Defense:

IND - #13
ARI - #23


Special Teams:

IND - #4
ARI - #9


Coaches:


Head Coaches: IND - Sean Steichen (3 years) --- ARI - Jonathan Gannon (3 years)

OCs: IND - Jim Bob Cooter (16 years, 6 years OC) --- ARI Drew Petzing (12 years, 3 years OC)

OL Coaches: IND - Tony Sporano (15 years) --- ARI - Justin Frye (1 year)

DCs: IND - Lou Anarumo (14 years, 8 years DC) --- ARI - Nick Rallis (8 years, 3 years DC)

Defensive Senior Advisors: IND - Matt Raich (22 years) --- ARI --- none

Fascinating Grades: 

* ARI --- DI Zach Carter --- 18 snaps --- 92.8 ---- #1 DI 
* ARI --- S Kitan Crawford --- 29 snaps --- 91.8 --- #1 S

They are below the minimum snap counts to qualify for true league-wide rankings at their positions, but, hey, regardless of snaps, their names and grades appear at the top of their position groups!








Comments

  1. Since 61October 10, 2025 at 8:11 AM

    I don't expect it, but if the Cards bounce back and are competitive and maybe even win this game, after last week's complete humiliating meltdown, it will be this coaching staff's best/most impressive effort/win yet. This squad and season so far have all the makings of a complete and total disaster. "Culture Change" ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NSCardOctober 10, 2025 at 9:36 AM

      I am doubtful as well but if they were to win this week, last weeks debacle would be the very thing that galvanized this team and could be the best thing that happened to them. It would be the only positive thing I can think of from last weeks game and maybe, just what they needed.

      Delete
    2. RedrunOctober 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM

      I have lowered my expectations after the first 5-weeks in the wake of the 4th meltdowns and lack of a balanced offensive attack. I now expect 4-wins and top-ten draft selection. My confidence in the coaches has reached all-time low. I actually felt better about Kliff in Yr 3 than I do Gannon in Yr 3.

      Delete
    3. Since 61October 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM

      If you're correct about the 4 win season, what should Bidwill do?

      Delete
    4. NSCardOctober 10, 2025 at 11:47 AM

      KK was 5 - 0 right now in his 3rd year

      Delete
    5. RedrunOctober 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM

      Since:
      Bidwill should first take self-assessment. What has HE been doing wrong? He after all is where the buck stops, he has micro-managed personnel and football decisions that he should have honest assessment (something I feel he is incapable on his own, and he turns to 'yes' which never works). From there what changes can HE make to right the organization. The problems of the organization go back 50yrs and span generations of owners with same losing mentality.

      Delete
  2. Walter MitchellOctober 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM

    What Bidwill should do is hired an experiences head coach or coordinator who will hire experienced coordinators and senior advisors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellOctober 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM

      * hire

      Delete
    2. JethroBodineOctober 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM

      Exactly Walter. Bidwill needs to hire someone who knows what the heck their doing and hand him the reins and get out of the way. Until then, I have zero hope in this team doing anything more than letting fans down early in the season.

      Delete

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