Win or lose, Cards have taken positive steps

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Darnell Dockett rocked back in his chair like a wise, old man, amused by his grandson's naivete.

He cocked his head to the left, fixed his eyes on me and pursed his lips in a dismissive, half-scowl.

Beanie Wells has helped the Cards average 124 rushing yards during the past eight games. (Getty Images)

I was hoping for detailed analysis.

The answer was vintage Dockett in its simplicity.

"Ask me again in three weeks," he said, shaking his head. "We won't know until then."

In the black and white world of the NFL, it is that simple. If the Cardinals roll into Miami three weeks from now, they'll be hailed as a model franchise. If they fall short, Arizona will be a one-hit wonder, laid bare by criticism.

"All that matters is winning," Dockett said.

Winning suddenly looks more difficult, given the rash of injuries that struck the Cardinals in the final week of the regular season. Receiver Anquan Boldin, guard Deuce Lutui, safety Antrel Rolle, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and defensive end Calais Campbell all missed at least one practice this week with significant injuries, and their status for Sunday's first-round matchup with the Green Bay Packers is still uncertain.

But win or lose, the Cards have made strides this season that go well beyond their 10-6 record and their slaying of the Super Bowl loser's jinx.

"I don't think there's any question we're a better team," quarterback Kurt Warner said.

Let me count the ways.

Defense

First-year defensive coordinator Bill Davis identified five key areas in training camp that he wanted to shore up. The Cardinals are still susceptible to big plays, but they have improved dramatically in the four other areas.

•  Scoring defense: In 2008, the Cardinals were ranked 28th in the NFL, allowing 26.6 points per game. This year, the Cards allowed 20.3 points per game, ranked 14th in the NFL.

•  Third-down defense: In 2008, Cards opponents converted third downs at a 44.4 percent clip, the fifth-worst mark in the NFL. This season, Arizona is allowing a 35.3 percent conversion rate, the sixth-best mark in the league.

•  Red-zone defense: In 2008, the Cardinals allowed 33 touchdowns on 55 opponents trips to the red zone (63.6 percent), ranking them 28th in the NFL. This season, the Cards allowed 22 TDs on 47 opponents trips to the red zone. Their 46.8 percent total ranks ninth in the league.

•  Sacks: After registering just 31 sacks in 2008, the Cards have 43 this season, sixth best in the NFL.

•  Concern: The run defense -- at one point this season ranked No. 1 in the NFL -- was slightly worse than last season, allowing 112.8 yards per game vs. 110.2 in 2008. It didn't help that the Cards faced a murderers' row of top running backs, but the Rams' Steven Jackson, the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams, the 49ers' Frank Gore and the Titans' Chris Johnson all went over 100 yards against the Cards this season.

Offense

Last season, the Cards were known strictly as a passing team. Now they're more balanced and more efficient.

•  Red-zone efficiency: In 2008, the Cardinals scored TDs on 38 of 65 trips to the red zone (58.4 percent) which was the ninth-best total in the NFL. In 2009, the Cardinals ranked first in red-zone TD percentage, scoring TDs on 38 of 54 trips (70.4 percent).

•  Rushing offense: After averaging 64.9 yards per game through their first seven games, the Cards averaged 124 over the next eight (excluding the Green Bay game in which several starters rested). That was the 10th-best total in the NFL over that stretch. Arizona averaged 93.4 yards per game this season and 4.1 per carry, vs. 73.6 and 3.5 in 2008. Physical running back Beanie Wells has been a huge addition, making the Cards more versatile, and therefore more unpredictable on offense.

•  Concern: With starting left tackle Mike Gandy on injured reserve, the Cards are thin on the offensive line. Gandy's replacement, Jeremy Bridges, has been inconsistent since a superb performance against the Vikings and Jared Allen. When Warner doesn't have time, the Cards offense sputters and the turnovers come in bunches.

Special teams

A weak link last season, the Cards' special teams are now among the best in the NFL. Neil Rackers has only missed one field goal, Steve Breaston and LaRod Stephens-Howling are reliable return men, and punter Ben Graham is the best in the league. He tied an NFL record with 42 punts inside the 20 and he has punted an amazing 72 straight times without a touchback. Despite that fact, he still ranks seventh in net average at 40.6 yards.

Intangibles

Before last season, the number of Cardinals who had played in a Super Bowl was small. Now they have a well of experience on which to draw. It has been evident in a pair of key indicators.

The Cards went 6-2 on the road this season and they never lost back-to-back games.

"Last year, we showed our potential," Warner said. "But I think we've done it more consistently this year which, to me, makes you a better football team."