The good and the bad of the Arizona Cardinals’ loss to the Detroit Lions
Arizona’s defense showed grit and determination, but mistakes on offense cost the Cardinals a winnable game.
The Arizona Cardinals offense needs to improve if this team wants to compete for a spot in the playoffs.
I really don’t care who you blame for the 20-13 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
There is enough guilt for everyone.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing takes the blame for a running game that became boring after the first drive.
The blame lies with Marvin Harrison Jr., who let the passes bounce off his hands and shoulder pads.
Blame Paris Johnson Jr. for allowing a sack of Aidan Hutchinson in the fourth quarter.
Blame Kyler Murray for throwing short to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the end zone, which led to an interception. Blame Murray for getting stopped on fourth-and-1 when he couldn’t get Lions defensive back Carlton Davis around the corner. Or blame Murray for throwing for just 200 yards and not running the ball again, for an offense that only scored three points after halftime. (And to be clear, Murray bears more blame because he’s the quarterback. That’s how it goes.)
But the offense needs to improve.
The game strategy needs to improve – even though the offensive line is struggling with injury problems and Detroit is well positioned on offense to counter the pressure from the run.
It was nice to see Arizona throw all over the field. (Credit to Petzing and Murray for that. I’ve seen enough horizontal passing over the last few years to last a lifetime.) But more of those one-on-one opportunities need to be taken advantage of.
The players also have to get better.
Murray, Johnson and Harrison were high-profile first-round picks; they need to play like them, even if they’re in their first or second season. And the offensive line as a unit needs to figure out what it does best to give the team more of an identity.
Otherwise, the Arizona Cardinals won’t win many games.
The defense isn’t loaded with high-profile first-round draft picks or household names, and frankly, the performance of this unit exceeds all reasonable expectations.
Arizona’s defense held Detroit scoreless in the second half. The Cardinals held the Rams to 10 points in Week 2. And the defense looked good in the first half against Buffalo.
It wasn’t perfect.
The run defense gave up nearly 200 yards on the ground on Sunday, running David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs down the clock like it was pepper in a restaurant.
And the pass rush could be more consistent.
But on Sunday, the Cardinals had a couple of sacks, an interception and a fourth-down stop.
It was enough to give Arizona a chance, and that’s saying something because defense has never been this team’s strong point.
And that’s why it was so disappointing to watch the Cardinals on Sunday.
You are better than that.
They look better on paper if you only consider the reputation and success of the guys in the attacking squad.
And they definitely looked better against the Rams.
But if this continues for too many more weeks, the locker room could split into “us versus them” factions.
If this continues for many more weeks, fans will start calling for Kyler Murray to be benched so we can see what Clayton Tune can do (which, as we all know, is code word for “messe up the season to get another high draft pick”).
If this continues for many more weeks, Petzing and Gannon will face questions about their job security.
That’s just how it works.
And that’s why it’s so frustrating.
The Cardinals are battling hard against teams that made the playoffs last season, proving they are good enough to earn a playoff spot. A win over Buffalo or Detroit will put the team in a completely different frame of mind for next week’s game against Washington.
Arizona would have had a chance for a big win on Sunday – if only the offense had been better.
Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @SayingMoore.
