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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Washington Redskins come to the desert with their offense in high gear, just like the Arizona Cardinals used to be.On Sunday, Washington faces a troubled Cardinals squad languishing deep in the standings at 4-6-1.Despite their 31-26 Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas, the Redskins (6-4-1) lead the crowded competition for the NFCs No. 2 wild-card spot.We have a lot of different weapons on our team that can really contribute, Washington coach Jay Gruden said, and our offensive line is doing an excellent job ... Our quarterback is more comfortable in the system, were keeping him in favorable down and distances, and a lot of players are stepping up to make plays.Sounds a lot like what coach Bruce Arians used to say last year about his 13-3 Cardinals.These days, words like selfishness and accountability creep into the conversation. Arians also didnt like the teams level of` `physicality in its 38-19 loss at Atlanta last Sunday. And he said he was disappointed the teams leaders didnt lead better.Its not the first time Arians has publicly called out his players, although this time he didnt name names.Thats why we love him, Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said. Hes critical, hes honest. He speaks how he feels.Mathieu is doubtful for Sunday due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him two of the last three games.Arizonas 2015 All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson said the players held a meeting where veterans reminded younger players that this is not the time to check out and start thinking about the offseason.As for the coachs criticism of the veterans, Peterson said, No comment.Arians expects the players to heed his criticism.They usually respond very well, he said. If they dont, youve got a problem. Weve never had any problem with guys responding.The Redskins will be without standout tight end Jordan Reed due to a shoulder injury, but have plenty of other targets for quarterback Kirk Cousins, so many that Peterson wont zero in on one receiver as he often does.The Cardinals have won 10, 11 and 13 games in Arians three seasons. If the Redskins win Sunday, it will be Arizonas first three-game losing streak in Arians time in Arizona.Here are some things to consider when the Redskins meet the Cardinals for the 122nd time in a series that dates to 1932:FITZGERALDS STATS: Larry Fitzgerald keeps climbing among the elite receivers of the game.He has 1,096 receptions and needs seven catches to move past good friend Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison into third on the NFL career list. Fitzgerald has caught a pass in 190 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NFL history.And its not like his skills are diminishing. Fitzgerald is second in the league in receptions with 78, four behind leader Antonio Brown.NORMAN VS. FITZGERALD: Redskins All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman knows its a different challenge every week, from the Steelers Brown to the Cowboys Dez Bryant and Giants Odell Beckham Jr. On Sunday, its Fitzgerald, a big receiver who ratchets up the physicality.Hes aggressive, Norman said. As physical as a defensive back would be, hes aggressive on offense. He wants contact. He wants to get after you and block you. He wants to make that hard catch. Hes been doing that for years.PONCE DE DAVIS: Redskins tight end Vernon Davis is enjoying a career renaissance in his 11th NFL season at age 32 with 31 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns.Even after the 49ers traded him and the Broncos didnt re-sign him, Davis never lost hope in his abilities because his speed was still there.Every phase of your life and your career youll face adversity, Davis said. You just have to know how to deal with it, and through it all you have to be optimistic. You have to be optimistic, keep your chin up, head held high and just keep going, keep moving forward.STILL A CHANCE? Mathematically, the Cardinals are still in the hunt for a playoff berth, even though their recent play wouldnt warrant that. Maybe this team has some hidden win streak in it.Everything just isnt coming together for us this year, Mathieu said. At the end of the day, weve got to find a way to win one football game. Its not really about going to the playoffs or anything like that. Weve just got to find a way to win one football game.---AP sports writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.---More AP NFL coverage: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Christen Press Jersey .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Allie Long Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Mallory Pugh Jersey . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Alex Morgan Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Riann Holland scored a career-high 26 points and his 3-pointer with 20 seconds left helped Mercer beat East Carolina 70-66 on Friday in the Barclays Center Classic.Trailing by nine at halftime, East Carolina rallied to a 66-65 lead on Andre Washingtons free throw. Holland made his 3-pointer after a Mercer timeout, then Demetre Rivers got a big steal on the next possession. Jordan Strawberry iced it for Mercer with two free throws.Stephon Jelks sparked and capped Mercers opening 17-3 run with 3-pointers and thhe Bears led 31-20 at halftime after shooting 41.dddddddddddd percent from the floor (13 of 31). ECU didnt score a field goal for eight- and four-minutes stretches in the half and shot 27 percent.Rivers, Jelks and Ryan Johnson scored 10 points apiece for the Bears (4-1).Kentrell Barkley scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Pirates (4-2). B.J. Tyson added 15 points and Washington had 10. ' ' '