Larry Fitzgerald passes Tony Gonzalez for second all-time receptions in Arizona Cardinals loss to Seattle

Through three quarters the question was simply… can the Arizona Cardinals get out of their own way?

Seemingly every positive play, every strong drive had a penalty or negative play that would set it back.

In the first half, we saw two missed Zane Gonzalez field goals and a Kyler Murray pick six on a really nice play by Jadaveon Clowney.

Instead of 13-9 or even 20-9 it is 20-3 at half time and the Cardinals looked hopeless.

Yet, the second half was the first time we’ve seen adjustments made by the defense and it showed.

We saw a different defense in the second half, with Vance Joseph scheming to stop Russell Wilson with patient edges and good blitzes. Then a more aggressive zone.

It set up the Cardinals to go 80-yards for their first touchdown of the game. Again, those missed field goals loomed large, but it was good to see a competent drive, even with two penalties by the offense.

Those penalties caused problems and stalled drives earlier, they overcame them this drive.

Murray was incredibly efficient, they mixed things up with short and middle passes and quick runs setting up manageable downs.

Christian Kirk absorbed a big hit that lead to a Seahawks penalty and put the Cardinals inside the redzone.

Today, we saw more good plays in the redzone, as the Cardinals used the mobility of Kyler Murray to pull to within 20-10.

Yet, the defense, who played well for most of the second half, went back to their problems they’ve had all season, and it was the veterans leading the problems.

D.J. Swearinger missed a tackle, then was late on an assignment on third and long.

Then on a potential play to put the Seahawks at third and goal with time on the clock, Tramaine Brock was baited into a stupid personal foul penalty.

Worse than giving the Seahawks a first down, it allowed the Seahawks to continue to burn prescious time off the clock.

Then, we saw Chandler Jones get called for a roughing the passer penalty on second down, again giving the Seahawks a fresh set of downs.

That lead to a pathetic tackle attempt on a C.J. Prosise nine-yard touchdown run.

That made it 27-10 and ended any hope of the comeback.

This game sits on all three phases.

Zane Gonzalez missed two important field goals.

The Cardinals defense couldn’t get stops in the first half and the Cardinals offense couldn’t get anything going on offense in the third quarter, when the Cards defense was playing well.

On a happy note, congratulations to Larry Fitzgerald who moved into second all-time with five catches for 47 yards.

Congratulations to Fitz, if only he could have played with more quarterback talent for his career.