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Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals: 3 matchups to watch

By Jordan Alexis

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 12: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football against defensive back Tramon Williams #37 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 12: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football against defensive back Tramon Williams #37 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball on a rush during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball on a rush during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Linebackers vs. David Johnson

Cardinals running back David Johnson is coming off his best performance of the season in week 10 versus the Chiefs. He had 183 total yards and 2 touchdowns and looked like his former self again. And that is bad news for a linebacker group that has been struggling in every aspect of the game this season.

Don’t let his subpar numbers fool you, Johnson is stuck behind a terrible offensive line and hasn’t been given many opportunities to succeed. He is still a very good running back capable of dominating a game if given the space to do so.

The linebackers will need to play with far better gap discipline if they are going to contain Johnson. And in the passing game, they are really going to have to improve their play because Johnson is one of the best receiving backs in the league.

New Cardinals offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich made it a point of emphasis to feed Johnson the ball last week so expect much of the same against the Raiders.

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