http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/sports-blogs/ken-trahan/577095-nfl-hometown-heroes-peterson-continues-super-lsu-weekend.html
Who is the NFL’s best defensive player in the NFL?
Many would look a Baltimore Raven (Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis) or a San Francisco 49er (Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, Justin Smith), but through three weeks Patrick Peterson gets my vote.
Teams do not even throw towards his way and yet he still finds ways to make plays with a tremendous nose for the ball. His instincts are sensational and his quickness and burst to the ball and opposing defenders is remarkable.
This team is so much more than Peterson though and that is why they are one of only two other teams that are undefeated (Atlanta, Houston).
Darnell Dockett and Daryl Washington are two freaks that you do not want to mess with, but the secondary is the unquestioned story of this squad.
Peterson, William Gay, Kerry Rhodes, Jamell Fleming, Michael Adams and Rashad Johnson have played exceptionally well behind a legit front seven filled with star athletes that can run like deer.
Going up against the Miami Dolphins could be a tough task though since they are a defensive sound team that can hang in there for a full ballgame with a team like Arizona.
Reggie Bush was one of the top rushers in the NFL heading into last weekend’s contest against the Jets before he was dinged up with a minor knee injury.
Ryan Tannehill has a strong enough arm to avoid a blowout in this one, but eventually their receivers will need to make plays down the field. Stretching the field is always critical in the NFL and not many teams have it worse than the Dolphins.
Still, Miami can run the ball with Bush and Daniel Thomas and they play tremendous defense up front.
Miami is third in the NFL allowing 66.3 yards per game and they should be able to bottle up a fairly weak running game in Arizona. Ryan Williams has solid talent, but he is accustomed to having to share the load with Beanie Wells (knee), who was recently put on the PUP list as he is not eligible to return until November 25 (Week 12).
Arizona’s defense is still elite at the moment and despite some quarterback woes of their own, they get the edge at home against an upset-minded and underrated Dolphins team.
Network: CBS (711)
Time: 4:05 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: Cardinals by 5.5
Danny V’s Pick: Cardinals 24, Dolphins 20
