Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) celebrates with outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (97) and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after making an interception during the second half against the Washington Redskins at University of Phoenix Stadium. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals (4-1) at Oakland Raiders (0-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at o.Co Coliseum, Oakland – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Dick Stockton, Brady Quinn, Kristina Pink
*Keys to the game: Cardinals QB Carson Palmer estimates his right shoulder is still only at 85 percent strength despite throwing for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week, and he returns to o.Co for the first time since being cast aside by Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie following the 2012 season. Arizona would love to support him with an improved ground game against the league’s 31st-ranked run defense, but that is based in part on opponents grinding out big leads against Oakland. Arizona’s run blocking has been suspect.
Raiders rookie QB Derek Carr is coming off his best game, a 282-yard, four-touchdown effort against San Diego. He is developing chemistry with WRs James Jones and Andre Holmes, but the underrated element to last week’s offensive output was RB Darren McFadden averaging 5.7 yards on 14 carries. The Cardinals enter with the league’s third-ranked run defense, but the Raiders must be able to create manageable third-down situations and not allow Arizona to add to its plus-eight turnover margin.
*Matchup to watch — Cardinals LT Jared Veldheer vs. Raiders RDE LaMarr Woodley: Oakland opted not to put the franchise tag on Veldheer last spring, and the Cardinals swooped in with a five-year, $37.5 million contract. Palmer says you don’t notice Veldheer because “he doesn’t get beat.” Woodley, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal after being cut by Pittsburgh, has just four tackles and no sacks through five games.
*Player spotlight — Raiders WR Andre Holmes: After showing some promise with 25 catches for 431 yards in 2013, Holmes saw a total of just 66 snaps and nine targets through the first three games of this season before finally being given a bigger role with 20 targets and 111 snaps over the past two games. He rewarded the playing time with 121 yards and two touchdowns last week.
*Fast facts: The Cardinals have scored touchdowns on a league-low 33.3 percent of their red-zone possession. … Carr’s passer rating dips each quarter, from 117 in the first to 79.8 in the second, 76.1 in the third and 62.9 in the fourth.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Trap game? Certainly possible with the Cardinals facing home dates against Philadelphia and Dallas the next two weeks and winless teams typically playing with extra zeal. But the Cardinals are 4-1 and only getting healthier in a division that forces them to focus on the weak points in their schedule.
*Our pick: Cardinals 27-17
