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Defensive struggles are hard to watch sometimes. They typically don't produce many highlight-reel plays, and when they do, the plays are sometimes not that great by every-day standards; they just look like it because every other play was like kicking the end table with your shin as you walk by it.
The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks played a game like this on Sunday. And while Michael Floyd's touchdown grab certainly was included, don't think it's being referred to as mediocre. It wasn't.
But other nominations may not make the top 5 from, say, last week's game in Tennessee. Anyway, here are this week's plays of the game. Vote away!
A Golden moment
All wide receiver Brittan Golden does is catch long passes. This season, he has four receptions for 134 yards (34.0 YPC).
He did it again on Sunday with this 63-yard catch-and-run on the game's first drive. Imagine what might have been if Carson Palmer doesn't throw an interception in the end zone?
Defense slams the door
After yet another Palmer interception, the Seahawks had a 1st-and-goal situation with under a minute left in the first half. In a 3-3 tie, Seattle would head into the half with at least a field goal lead, if not more.
Only, the Arizona defense had other plans. It stopped running back Marshawn Lynch twice before forcing an incomplete pass by quarterback Russell Wilson. Kicker Steven Hauschka would miss a chip-shot field goal to keep the Cardinals in the game. This is the second-down play, led by inside linebackers Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby, as well as outside linebacker Marcus Benard.
Special, special teams, y'all
Arizona's special teams units have been inconsistent at best this season. From faulty returning by Patrick Peterson and Javier Arenas to failure to cover kicks in key moments, the special teams unit has seen better days.
But special teams guru Justin Bethel is having one of the best seasons a special-teamer can have. On this play, he happened to be in the right place at the right time -- that seems to be a theme for Bethel. The ensuing offensive drive ended when, you guessed it, Palmer tossed another pick.
Palmer to Floyd FTW
Receiver Michael Floyd had been shut out all afternoon by the Seattle secondary. The "Legion of Boom" had him blanketed better than a king-sized comforter bundled over a small child as he sleeps.
But one play -- one defining moment in Floyd's season -- with time winding down came together, and Palmer hit Floyd with a perfect pass to do what no team had done in nearly two calendar years. If the Cardinals end up in the playoffs this season, you can thank Floyd for his juggling, acrobatic touchdown grab to beat the Seahawks in a must-win game.
Sealed with a pick
I don't have a stat in front of me to support this, but it's possible the Cardinals lead the NFL in game-clinching interceptions this season. How often have we watched an opponent's drive thwarted due to Dansby, Tyrann Mathieu or Patrick Peterson picking off the quarterback as they try bringing their team back?
This play is shrouded in controversy, no doubt. But that would not have been the case had Dansby not laid out and made a spectacular diving interception. Say what you want about this play's legitimacy, but Dansby and his hustle in getting to the ball while it was in the air made this play happen.
