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          NFL Nation

          Cards Mailbag: Chiefs edition -- Part 2

          @joshweinfuss What does he need to do to "play up to his contract?" A pick a game? Hold receivers to zero yards? I think he's been living up to some of this thus far, but if those are the expectations then he may not play up to his entire contract this season. The expectations that come with a $70 million extension are certainly heavy and when he played like he did against Atlanta, that much money looks like a waste. Peterson hasn't played great this season, there's no denying that. The Cardinals have given up seven 100-yard days to receivers but not all of them were defended by Peterson. However, he needs to be better in man coverage but he can't be judged on not getting interceptions. While it's a skill it's still random.

          @joshweinfuss I think he'll be brought along slowly at first and weaved into the game plan as the game progresses. He'll play mostly run downs at first while Arizona sees how his knee responds. He's been itching to get back on the field, so I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a few big plays early in the game but I think he'll just play his role and contain Kansas City's Jamaal Charles off the edge.

          @Joshweinfuss There are a couple other teams I found that could be considered as playing three straight teams in "must-win" situations. The first was New Orleans which, in consecutive weeks, played Cincinnati, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Bengals are in the playoffs, and the Ravens and Steelers are fighting to make the playoffs as two of five teams with 7-5 records on the outside of the AFC wild card looking in. Seattle was another, with Kansas City, the Cardinals and San Francisco. Even the Rams faced Denver, San Diego and Oakland. You can even add New England in that mix having faced Indianapolis, Detroit and Green Bay.

          @joshweinfuss I think not being able to replace Jonathan Dwyer hurt this team more than it expected. Arizona not only needed a big back to fill his role, but it needed the depth to spell Andre Ellington. The backs that have stuck around aren't Dwyer's size but none of the backs Arizona signed -- Marion Grice, Kerwynn Williams, Chris Rainey, Jalen Parmele or Zach Bauman -- could find enough of a niche on this team to earn quality minutes and give Ellington a break. It certainly doesn't help that Ellington is small and Arizona asks him to run between the tackles more than his body can handle.

          @joshweinfuss Without being facetious, they need to catch balls. Haul in passes and get first downs early and they can eat up the clock and march down the field. But if they start missing passes and not getting first downs, then field position becomes an issue and Sunday can turn into a long day.