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Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Arizona Cardinals

By Ash Thompson

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) runs the football after an interception during the second quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) runs the football after an interception during the second quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerbacks

Patrick Peterson is still among the elite corners in the NFL. His blend of size and speed is difficult for any but the absolute best wide receivers in the NFL to deal with. While the Lions do have a pair of good receivers in Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, neither is Peterson’s athletic equal. The Lions will need to scheme around the Cardinals All-Pro.

Brandon Williams, on the other hand, will need to have improved a great deal from the beginning of his rookie 2016 season to the beginning of his second season, or the Lions will have a field day. Williams was a big play machine early in the 2016 season, and not in the good way. Veteran Justin Bethel also struggled across from Peterson last year. The Cardinals made little effort to bolster their Corner group though, counting on player development for improvement.

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Safeties

At the safety spot, Tyrann Mathieu is an extremely dangerous player in the Cardinals defense. Keying on his position at any given time will be key for Matthew Stafford against this secondary. Mathieu had a down season in 2016, but the two injuries that plagued him have reportedly healed fully. He has bulked up in order to try and stay healthy. The first meaningful test whether that has affected his speed and quickness will be as the Lions week one opponent.

The Cardinals also drafted Budda Baker in the second round, who may take a starting role immediately for the Cardinals. Baker is a hard hitting safety that drew pre-draft comparisons to Bob Sanders due to his smallish size, and ferocious play style. The rookie in his first game could be something for the Lions to exploit.

If Baker is not on the field, veteran Antoine Bethea will be. That will definitely be opportunity the Lions need to go after. Bethea is 32 and coming off a terrible season in San Francisco, where he had to constantly cover for the errors of others. Being in a real defense may rejuvenate him, but the Lions would certainly do well to find out.

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