ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Balance was key in win over Oakland Raiders

Oct 20, 2014, 3:30 PM | Updated: 3:31 pm

Follow @VincemarottaPresented By...

LISTEN: Steve Keim, Arizona Cardinals GM

Another week, another workmanlike win on the road for the Arizona Cardinals.

Carson Palmer threw two touchdown passes, running backs Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor were big factors on offense and the defense played well in the Cardinals’ 24-13 win over the Oakland Raiders Sunday.

The key to the win, according to general manager Steve Keim, was offensive balance.

“You think about the balance we had offensively, I can’t remember a time we ran the ball five more times than we threw it,” Keim told Doug and Wolf Monday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “To see Andre and Stepfan have so much success on the ground and to see the balance we had — you know, it wasn’t perfect by any stretch.

“Andre, as well as he played, had two critical drops — one being on a third-down conversion that would have been big for us. But we played well as a whole.”

The Cardinals ran the ball 37 times for 123 yards on the day while throwing it 31 times for 242 yards. It was the first time the Cardinals had more rushing attempts than passes since their 17-10 Week 16 win over the Seattle Seahawks last season. In that contest, Arizona ran 43 times while throwing only 25.

With the win, the Cardinals move their record to an NFC West-best 5-1 and picked up a game on both Seattle and San Francisco, who both lost Sunday. Despite the lack of flashy numbers, Bruce Arians’ team just continues to win.

But how?

“That’s a good question,” Keim said. “I think it’s good coaching and certainly a locker room of guys that care about each other and are invested in the same goal.”

The Cardinals return home to University of Phoenix Stadium next Sunday for a clash with the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) at 1:05 p.m.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

8 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

12 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Balance was key in win over Oakland Raiders