TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have endured an abnormal number of injuries this year, especially on defense, yet they are 5-1 and lead the NFC West by two games in the loss column.

That has the fan base giddy. Coach Bruce Arians is doing everything possible to make sure his players don’t follow along.

“I think we have a group of guys that find ways to win,” he said. “We’re not special, but we got a bunch of guys that are going to play hard for 60 minutes. We know we’re not special. The one thing we’ve talked about all week was, you never underestimate your opponent and you damn sure don’t overestimate yourself.

“We haven’t done anything yet, except get to 5-1.”

Arians can downplay that all he wants, but that’s the Cardinals’ best record after six games since 1976.

The Cardinals think they learned a lesson the previous week when they were listless against Washington. Arians could tell it was coming because the team didn’t practice well that week.

He is counting on the team’s veterans to help the younger players understand that success in the NFL can be fleeting.

As 14-year veteran Larry Foote noted, it’s easy to lose five in a row.

“This league is about January,” he said.

The Cardinals did what they had to do during the softest part of the schedule. Now things become more difficult. They play the 5-1 Eagles on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., and then go to Dallas, which is also 5-1.

After that, it’s St. Louis, Detroit and Seattle.

“It gets a little stronger,” Arians said of the schedule. “Obviously, we feel there’s no one on the schedule we can’t beat, and there’s nobody on the schedule that can’t beat us. It’s going to be a daily grind getting ready for each ball game.”

Quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown for a touchdown in 16 consecutive games. That’s the third longest streak in team history behind Kurt Warner (22) and Neil Lomax (19).

Palmer did have a pass intercepted against the Raiders, the first interception this season of a Cardinals pass. Palmer played well in Oakland last week but not because he had extra motivation against his old employer.

“I didn’t feel a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I’ve been in this business a long time. I understand the business side of it. They went in a different direction. You just have to roll with the punches and find a new place to go.”

Notes: Defensive end Calais Campbell could return this week after missing two games because of an MCL strain. . . . . Free safety Rashad Johnson underwent an MRI Monday to examine a sore patellar tendon. . . Running back Andre Ellington will be bothered by a foot injury all year and will not practice Wednesdays. . . Tight end Troy Niklas has missed two games with a high ankle sprain. Coaches hope Niklas can practice by the end of the week, but it’s doubtful he will play Sunday against the Eagles.

REPORT CARD VS. RAIDERS

–PASSING OFFENSE: B — Quarterback Carson Palmer threw for two touchdowns and was sacked just once. He did have a pass intercepted, the Cardinals first of the season. Palmer doesn’t appear to be fully recovered by a shoulder injury but he’s been efficient in his two starts since returning.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: A — The raw statistics aren’t eye-popping: 37 rushes for 123 yards, a 3.3 yard average. But the Cardinals were impressive during an 80-yard drive in the third quarter. Seven of the eight plays were runs. Andre Ellington found holes and he made people miss.

–PASS DEFENSE: B – The Raiders gained just 164 yards, and 55 of that came on one play. The Raiders did not pass for a touchdown. The Cardinals managed only one sack and cornerback Patrick Peterson was called for two penalties, giving him seven on the season.

–RUSH DEFENSE: A — Another impressive effort. The Raiders gained 56 yards on 19 carries, a 2.9-yard average. Their longest gain was 15 yards and that came on a wildcat play.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: A — Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro made another field goal attempt. He’s 15-of-15 this year, tying a record for rookies opening a season. His kickoffs weren’t as good as usual but decent. The Raiders had a long punt return called back because of penalty.

–COACHING: A — After a lackluster effort the week before, the Cardinals appeared to have learned a lesson about preparing for an inferior opponent. They were ready for the Raiders and that’s a credit to Bruce Arians and his staff. Arians, who calls offensive plays, finally stuck with the run through a whole series. The week before, he didn’t when he should have.