A Week 5 desert showdown is on the horizon as the Detroit Lions (2-2) prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals (1-3). Having recently undergone a transition in leadership, Arizona is guided by first-year head coach Mike LaFleur—a Mount Pleasant, Michigan native and brother of Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur—as they continue to establish their team identity.
Let us delve into the details of the Cardinals’ coaching staff, examine their strategic schemes, and analyze scouting observations from their latest film.
Cardinals head coach: Mike LaFleur
Years coaching in the NFL: 13th year (stints with Browns, Falcons, 49ers, Jets, Rams, and Cardinals)
Tenure as head coach: 1st year (Cardinals)
Offensive coordinator roles: Rams (2023-25), Jets (2021-22)
Passing game coordinator role: 49ers (2017-20)
Coaching mentors: Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur (Brother)
Served on staffs under: Shanahan, McVay, Mike Pettine, Dan Quinn, Robert Saleh
Calls plays: Yes
Dan Campbell’s thoughts on LaFleur:
“This team competes with high effort. Coach LaFleur is managing them exceptionally well. They remain competitive in every matchup. Although the Seattle game slipped away from them slightly, their effort never wavered. They stay close in every contest and possess the offensive weapons necessary to put points on the board.”
Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett
Years coaching in the NFL: 18th year (experience with Buccaneers, Bills, Jaguars, Packers, Broncos, Jets, Cardinals)
Tenure as offensive coordinator: 11th year (Bills, Jaguars, Packers, Jets, Cardinals)
Tenure as head coach: Broncos (2022)
Prior coaching experience: Quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach, offensive quality control, defensive analyst
Coaching mentors: Matt LaFleur, Doug Marone, Jon Gruden
Served on staffs under: LaFleur, Marone, Gruden, Dick Jauron, Gus Bradley, Greg Olsen, Robert Saleh
Offensive Philosophy and Scheme
Passing system: Shanahan-style West Coast system
Rushing system: Focused on outside-zone and gap designs
Scouting observations:
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Traces of the Shanahan and McVay systems are highly visible in Arizona’s playbook, specifically through their reliance on outside-zone runs and frequent use of 13 personnel packages, though…
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Notable differences exist, particularly with play-action passing; while Shanahan and McVay typically emphasize it, Arizona utilizes it on just 17.8% of plays, ranking 27th across the league.
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Their primary grouping is 11 personnel, deployed at a 61.7% rate.
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They mix in 12 personnel occasionally, utilizing it 14.8% of the time.
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They have maintained a heavy 13 personnel package inspired by the Rams, using it on 20% of snaps.
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The play-calling breakdown stands at approximately 38% run and 62% pass.
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Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has found things difficult, placing near the bottom or in the lowest tier of most signal-caller statistics.
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The passing attack averages only 5.4 yards per play (ranking 32nd) and sits at 32nd in generating explosive passing plays.
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According to SumerSports, Brissett’s EPA metrics are weak: 36th on dropbacks, 36th against man-to-man, 23rd against zone, 32nd using play-action, 28th inside the red zone, and 29th when pressured.
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The protection upfront is a liability, surrendering pressures in an average of 2.51 seconds, which ranks 28th.
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The offensive line has difficulty managing blitz packages and reacts slowly; Brissett ranks 40th in EPA against the blitz per SumerSports.
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Compounding their offensive line issues, starting left tackle Paris Johnson was recently placed on season-ending injured reserve.
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Brissett’s elusive movement has helped prevent more damage, as he has absorbed just seven sacks, the 10th-best mark in the league.
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Their ground game utilizes outside-zone and gap designs for roughly two-thirds of their plays, with the remaining third comprised of inside-zone, pulling schemes, and draw plays.
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They rarely incorporate trap or counter runs into their game plan.
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Though the running game is decent (ranking 14th with a -0.05 EPA per attempt), it lacks big-play ability (32nd). Additionally, the line provides little space off the snap, averaging just 0.73 yards before contact (29th), which places the burden of production entirely on the running backs.
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The running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier represents a legitimate threat to Detroit’s defense, but…
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If Detroit successfully bottles up the ground game early, Arizona is likely to stray from running the ball entirely.
Dan Campbell’s analysis of Cardinals tight end Trey McBride:
“Defending a massive, athletic target who can generate separation, secure difficult receptions, and pick up yards after the catch is incredibly challenging. His combination of size and strength allows him to break away from safeties, while his speed and extensive catch radius make him a mismatch for linebackers. Because of his playmaking ability and physical toughness, they will find ways to target him. He is going to get plenty of looks, and keeping him contained will be a major challenge for us.”
Defensive Coordinator: Nick Rallis
Years coaching in the NFL: 9th year (with experience at the Vikings, Eagles, and Cardinals)
Years as a defensive coordinator: 4th year (maintaining his position with Arizona since 2023)
Prior responsibilities: Linebackers coach, assistant linebackers coach, and defensive quality control
Key influences: Jonathan Gannon, Mike Zimmer
Served on staffs under: Gannon, Zimmer, Nick Sirianni
Coaching staff connections to Detroit: Teryl Austin (Senior Defensive Assistant)
Defensive System and Tactics
Primary formation: 3-4 Base alignment
Coverage style: Vic Fangio-style zone concepts featuring split-safety, two-high shells
Scouting observations:
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The defense utilizes a versatile playbook, though it lacks a clear, signature identity.
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They operate primarily out of their base 3-4 package on 52.4% of plays.
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To complement this, they employ a 2-4 nickel package 44.5% of the time.
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Their secondary relies heavily on zone coverage schemes, using them 81.3% of the time.
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While they led the league with a 30% Cover-4 rate in 2025, they have reduced its frequency to 20% in 2026.
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Their preferred coverage is now Cover-6, utilized at a league-high 27.6% rate (a dramatic jump from a mere 5.5% in 2025).
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Note: The variations between Cover-4 and Cover-6 are subtle; Cover-4 features four deep defensive backs and two or three underneath defenders, whereas Cover-6 adjusts this by dropping three deep DBs while keeping three or four in underneath coverage.
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They mix in other zone structures, calling Cover-2 14% of the time and Cover-3 21% of the time.
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Man-to-man usage is minimal: Cover-0 (2.4%), Cover-1 (5.8%), and Cover-2 man (2.4%).
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The unit ranks 29th in defensive DVOA and 29th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 29.3 points per contest.
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Their run-defense statistics are impressive, placing 10th in run DVOA, 2nd in EPA per rush (-0.24), and 4th in yards allowed prior to contact (0.77).
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Conversely, their passing defense metrics are alarming, ranking 31st in DVOA, 32nd in passing yards allowed per attempt (9.1), 30th in EPA per pass (0.29), 32nd in giving up explosive plays, and 32nd with only 37 pressures generated.
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The zone defense plays soft, leaving noticeable cushions particularly between the linebacker level and the deep safeties.
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They are content to surrender short, underneath receptions, relying on their reliable tackling to limit subsequent yards.
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Their slot defenders show excellent spatial awareness and instincts; during film study, safety/nickel Budda Baker and nickel corner Garrett Williams consistently made game-changing plays.
Dan Campbell’s perspectives on Arizona’s defense:
“This defensive system presents an array of different looks to an offense. They possess excellent length on that side of the ball. Safety Budda Baker is a major disruptor. Linebacker Mack Wilson acts as the engine of their defense, orchestrating their calls. And Roy Lopez is a high-motor, hard-working player who forces you to earn every single yard, along with several other key contributors.”
