How to watch Cardinals vs. Raiders online: Time, TV schedule and live stream

Arizona tries to stay on top of the brutal NFC West while Oakland simply aims to get into the win column.

Oct 19, 2014, 1:50 PM UTC

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardiinals and Oakland Raiders will meet Sunday afternoon, both headed in distinctly different directions. Arizona is 4-1 and leading the NFC West behind an excellent defense and solid offense, while Oakland is still searching for its first win after five games. The Raiders have been the epitome of losing since reaching the Super Bowl in 2002, failing to accrue a winning season since.

For the Cardinals, the defense has been the backbone of this season's success and a study in contrast. Despite having Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Antonio Cromartie in the secondary, Arizona has the worst pass defense in football, allowing 309 yards per game. However, a front seven lacking Darnell Dockett and Daryl Washington is third against the run.

The offense has been struggling throughout, but has also been wrecked by injuries to the quarterback. Carson Palmer missed four games with a nerve injury in his shoulder, but returned last week to defeat Washington. In the interim, Drew Stanton started four games while third-stringer Logan Thomas also saw action in relief.

With the Raiders, it has been nothing short of a mess. Oakland is already on its second coach of the season after Dennis Allen was fired following an 0-4 start. Tony Sparano was named the interim head coach and did well in his debut, even though the Raiders lost to the Chargers, 31-28.

On the bright side, Oakland appears to have a talented young signal caller in Derek Carr. After being drafted in the second round out of Fresno State, Carr beat out Matt Schaub for the starting spot and has been effective. Carr has thrown for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns versus five interceptions. The rookie does have weapons on the outside in James Jones and Andre Holmes, who each have three touchdowns and 597 yards combined.