TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals are pleased to be 4-1, obviously, but they also believe they have yet to play a complete game. That means there is room for improvement.

“About 65, 70 percent,” coach Bruce Arians replied when asked if his team had played a complete game this season. “San Diego was probably our best and it still wasn’t very good. Both sides of the ball haven’t hit on all cylinders yet, along with special teams. There’s always been a phase that’s lacking a little bit.

“That’s normally the case, and other teams are pretty good. We’re looking for our offense, especially in the running game, to start clicking.”

Still, the Cardinals are in excellent position. They are alone in first place in the NFC West and they are 3-0 in the conference, which is important if playoff tiebreakers ever come into play.

They also play at winless Oakland this week, so they have a great chance to go 5-1, their best record through six games since 1976.

It’s not a must win, but it’s important because the schedule gets much tougher afterward. The Cardinals return home to play Philadelphia and Dallas the following two weeks.

The Cardinals especially need their offense to come through. The defense is suffering through some injury problems, and an efficient offense could see the team through now.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is expected to make his second consecutive start after missing three games with a shoulder injury. He estimates he’s about 85 percent of normal, and he needs considerable practice time to rebuild strength in his shoulder.

“I just have to throw,” he said. “You don’t get your arm stronger by lifting in the weight room. You get your arm stronger by throwing and throwing. That’s what I need to do.”

The run game has been inconsistent. The Cardinals are averaging 85.6 yards per game. They need better play from the offensive line, which has been solid in pass protection but below average in the run game.

The Cardinals also need to develop some depth at running back. Andre Ellington is carrying a bigger load, and it would help if Marion Grice, signed two weeks ago from the San Diego Chargers practice squad, could pick up more of the offense and play a role.