Cardinals at Buccaneers Second Half Open Thread

It’s been a slow start with yet another bout of red zone woes plaguing the offense... Yet, despite that and a slow start from Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have managed to keep things close.

It started with the first pick for rookie Byron Murphy, getting Jameis Winston on the first drive of the day. Unfortunately despite starting on the opponent’s 37, they were only able to walk away with a field goal.

The defense would struggle early, giving up two long drives that resulted in 10 points for the Bucs before forcing back to back three and outs.

The vaunted Tampa run D that we had grown to appreciate under DC Todd Bowles has also showed strong, keeping Kenyan Drake and David Johnson bottled up for a total of 4 combined rushing yards.

The Redbirds were finally able to hit paydirt late in the second, however. Thanks to a huge Larry Fitzgerald catch on fourth down and a Murray to Kirk touchdown connection on hard strike down the seam in the final minutes of the first half.

Unfortunately, leaving a minute and three seconds was just enough for Bruce Arians and his offense to answer with a touchdown of their own. Finally working to expose the defense’s weakness to tight ends, as OJ Howard brought in 41 yards of the 75 yard drive and the score.

Things are starting to heat up, let’s hope the offense can carry over the momentum and answer.

As always, enjoy the discussion and be respectful! Profanities are allowed in game threads, but don’t go overboard. Oh, and go Cards!