The Arizona Cardinals have not won a football game in 36 days. Not since the Cardinals defeated the Panthers 28-21 in Week 1 have the Redbirds left the field victorious. They currently sit 3.5 games behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West and this week the Cardinals play the reigning AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
The team knows that it faces an uphill battle this week against the 4-2 Steelers. "You know what to expect with those guys (the Steelers), it's going to be a tough fought, hard fought football game," said Larry Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald may have a long day on Sunday against Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, and Steelers pass defense which ranks number two in the NFL. "Ike Taylor is one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL, we always have good battles so I'm looking foreword to that challenge," said Fitzgerald.
Pittsburgh ranks in the top ten in the NFL in passing offense, rushing offense, total offense, total defense, and pass defense. With the Cardinals coming off a bye, the team looks to focus on fixing its problems rather than looking too much into the Steelers. The team had a players only meeting and then had four days off to refocus themselves.
"We have to prepare ourselves, later in the week we will focus on the Steelers," said Beanie Wells. Wells has scored four touchdowns in his last two games and might have a chance for a big game as the Steelers come into the contest with the 21st ranked rushing defense in the NFL.
"It's a little bit easier for the coaches, you don't have the time constraints because you got to spend some time last week, (preparing)" said Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt when asked about how the bye week changes the coaches' preparation for the game.
The Cardinals have had success against the Steelers at home in the past, beating the Steelers 21-14 at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2007.