:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57066071/usa_today_10335427.0.jpg)
In a blowout loss to the Eagles, I’m not sure if there is much to write about. It was a disappointing effort across the board.
The Good
Carson Palmer was only sacked twice. I guess that’s a good thing since he just escaped two back-to-back six sack games. He also didn’t throw an INT, the second game in which he hasn’t thrown an INT…
Bruce Arians took the blame for the loss and didn’t throw anyone under the bus, like the long snapper or the offensive line. Maybe he did, but I didn’t read the article because I’m still bitter about losing so badly. I didn’t expect a win, but I did expect us to at least fight.
There isn’t much else to write home about. We stunk on both sides of the ball.
The Bad
The Cardinals are probably not going to win more than 5-6 games this season, at this pace. For some that may be a good, as we will have a higher draft pick, but personally I want to see wins. The NFC West is still winnable, but not by a team without an offensive line and a defense that gives up too many home runs.
Special teams continues to be a backbreaker for the Cardinals. With an injury to long snapper Aaron Brewer, it lead to a missed field goal with Evan Boehm snapping the ball. The punt team also gave up two big returns, one of them almost going for a TD. Normally I’m one for the first to bang the Fire Amos Jones drum, but guys tackling like the JV team I used to coach was the real problem. Only reason this isn’t ugly is an injury really screwed up things, but Andy Lee was booming kicks. So there’s that...
Inability to sack Wentz. So many missed sacks that would have/could have changed the composition of the game.
The Ugly
The Cardinals continue to boast the worst rushing offense in the NFL. JJ Nelson had the best run of the night for 14 yards, which was almost half the rushing yards of the entire game. The offensive line is bad, but 31 total rushing yards? WTF.
The defense had a terrible game. Deone Bucannon, Justin Bethel and Tyvon Branch all got taken to school for big TDs. Carson Wentz diced up the secondary for 300 yards and 4 TDs. It was ugly to watch, especially against what many of us thought was a pretty stout secondary.
Overall this game shows us that the Cardinals are not contenders and likely won’t be competing with the big dogs this season. It’s going to be a long season. Maybe we can look at college QBs we won’t draft until the 7th round and wonder why Robert Nkemdiche has been such a massive bust.