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Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling told Xtra Sports 910 in Phoenix that he's focused and ready to serve in a key role against the San Francisco 49ers and their talented defense.
"I mean, I feel like we are more focused," he told Bickley and MJ. "But we can't put too much into it being a Monday night game. We just know it's a division game and we know it's an opportunity for us to get back on track."
The Cardinals began the season with a four-game winning streak and invoked conversation of being among the best teams in the league. Since then, they've lost three straight games and head into the contest against San Francisco in need of a win against their division foe in order to remain in the hunt for the NFC West title.
Stephens-Howling was successful against another strong defense in the Minnesota Vikings in the team's Week 7 loss, and he'll need a similar performance on Monday night in order to give his team a chance to overcome a 49ers team that was picked to go deep into the postseason by many experts.
Though he downplayed the game taking place on Monday Night Football, the Cardinals will have a unique opportunity to make an even larger statement with a win with the world watching.