Ravens Week 2 film study: What we know about the Cardinals

The Baltimore Ravens are about to take on the Arizona Cardinals. Here is what I learned breaking down the Lions 27-27 opener against the Detroit Lions:

The Ravens will get a tougher test here. The Cardinals saw a very impressive performance by Kyler Murray. It was his first start, things went poorly and he showed the poise to turn things around. This could have easily been a loss for the Cardinals, yet he rallied them from behind and the game ended in a tie. Murray has a quick release. He rarely holds the ball for more than a few seconds. This offense relies on short passing, timing and Murray being accurate.

Accuracy is one of Murray’s strengths, just like it was when he was with the Oklahoma Sooners. He routinely puts the ball on receivers exactly where they need it to be. He’s not Drew Brees however he doesn’t throw the ball like a rookie. Murray has a good deep ball with touch. Even on deep passing attempts, the ball comes out of his hands quick.

This is really a college football offense in the NFL. That’s not an insult because when it works, it works. There are a lot of quick reads in the passing game. There is typically one look and two reads on both sides of the field. Murray isn’t greedy, if you let him nickel and dime you, he will.

On the final drive of the fourth quarter the Cardinals went to their bread and butter. They spread the defense out and hit multiple quick outs to the slot receiver, including one for a score. They love doing this with Larry Fitzgerald. His frame and quickness make this deadly good. If there is one route the Ravens need to take out of the Cardinals playbook it’s this one.