Arizona Cardinals put up good effort in 27-24 loss to Seattle Seahawks, pick first in 2019 NFL Draft

It had been nearly a month since the Arizona Cardinals looked like a competent NFL team.

In their final game if the 2018 NFL season, playing for their head coach that is likely to be relieved of his duties tomorrow, they put up the effort we’ve been waiting to see.

It didn’t end up in a win, as the Seattle Seahawks kicked a 33-yard field goal and the Seahawks won 27-24, as the Arizona Cardinals finish with a 3-13 record in 2018 and will pick first in every round in 2018 NFL Draft.

Defensively, they were outstanding for much of the game.

Outside of one series, that was aided by a questionable at best holding call on Haason Reddick, the defense did a nice job of shutting down a great Seahawks rushing attack.

Offensively, we saw a enough to be slightly more excited heading into the offseason.

Josh Rosen made some throws he hasn’t made in weeks.

He still wasn’t consistently sharp, but he made great throws and then also made good throws, instead of just 2-3 great throws in the game.

Something we haven’t seen too much of this season.

The offensive line is a continued issue, but Trent Sherfield and Chad Williams both look like potential contributors in a good offense.

The defense and special teams were really the story.

The Cardinals blocked two punts, returning one for a touchdown, by Dennis Gardeck, and newly acquired Pharoh Cooper made plays in the return game.

Combine that with a defense that forced a turnover and had six sacks, and you get this performance.

Well, and Zane Gonzalez rewarded Steve Keim’s faith in him, nailing two 50 yard field goals today, that kept the Cardinals in the game.

Sure, they lost, they clinched the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

They likely played their last game under Steve Wilks.

They also finally got huge performances from Deone Bucannon and Rodney Gunter.

A lot of what this team wanted to be this year we finally saw.

It’s likely too little too late for Wilks and some of the players who won’t be back in 2019.

However, for one day, it was good to see some signs of life.