A sluggish start for the Arizona Cardinals did not help against a fired-up opponent on a national stage. For the first time since Bruce Arians roamed the sidelines, the Cardinals entered a November matchup with at least a share of the lead in the division. Following a stunning victory last Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals faced a quick turnaround with a Thursday night game against the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for Arizona, there would be no last-second miracle to gain the victory. On a night where the Arizona offense struggled to find a rhythm, the Cardinals suffered their fourth loss of the season and ceded their spot atop the division. Today we take a look at the tough loss and figure out what went wrong for the Cardinals on Thursday night.
Slow Moving
On a night where the Cardinals were missing pieces on defense, quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense was sluggish to start. Arizona punted on four of their five first-half possessions. To start the night, the Seahawks scored on a six-minute drive. Murray and the offense followed with a three and out, elapsing a total of 39 seconds of game time. This set the tone of much of the game. Arizona’s offense struggled to get moving. However, once they did get going, penalties often derailed any momentum. False starts along the offensive line stalled a pair of drives in the first half.
Latest Cardinals News
- Handicapping Hal’s Week Two NFL Picks
- Handicapping Hal’s Week One NFL Picks
- The Football Stack: Arizona Cardinals Preview and Win Total
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Coach Don Coryell
- Ranking The 12 NFL Teams Looking For Their First Super Bowl Win In 2023
The second-half did not offer much change as penalties essentially swung the game in favor of the Seahawks. Early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals cut the deficit to two points. Taking over at their own 14-yard line, Arizona had a chance to take the lead with a long drive. On consecutive plays, the Cardinals were flagged for intentional grounding, then a holding penalty on J.R. Sweezy. The questionable holding penalty was ruled to have occurred in the end zone and resulted in a safety. Seattle would go on to take the subsequent possession and add a field goal, giving them the 28-21 lead.
Patchwork Defense
The Cardinals entered Thursday night without defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Corey Peters. Defensive Coordinator, Vance Joseph, was also without the full service of linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. However, the unit did not use the injuries as an excuse as they performed admirably on Thursday night. During the first meeting between the teams, the Cardinals defense surrendered 572 yards of total offense. This time, Arizona’s patchwork defense gave up just 347 yards to the Seattle offense. The star on Thursday night was rookie defender, Isaiah Simmons. Arizona’s first-round selection has struggled to find playing time this season but has seen his number called more often since his key interception against the Seahawks a few weeks ago.
Isaiah Simmons 1st NFL SACK💪
MORE PODCASTS From FPC
- Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 20, 2020
Simmons finished with 10 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. It was by far the best game of the season for Simmons. Unfortunately, the Arizona secondary did not have as good of a game. While the Seahawks compiled just 197 yards through the air, they benefited from timely penalties from the Arizona secondary. Late in the first half, Patrick Peterson was called for pass interference, moving the ball inside the 10-yard line. Seattle would add a field goal before halftime. In the third quarter, Dre Kirkpatrick was flagged for a taunting penalty, giving Seattle a first down after they had been forced to punt. Two plays later, Seattle would score a touchdown.
Need the Balance
As the offense struggled to get going, it was the ground game that went missing for the Cardinals. Seattle crowded the line of scrimmage, inviting the Cardinals to throw the football. However, they would flood the middle of the field with defenders while keeping a spy on Murray. This slowed down the passing game. The first scoring drive for the Cardinals keyed off the run. Kenyan Drake did not have big gains on the drive, however, the decision to string runs together helped soften the defense. Arizona’s ground game, by extension, includes quick screens to the outside. This is often accompanied by a quick fake to the running back. The Cardinals capitalized on this as they were grouped for a screen to the outside before Murray found his tight end, Max Williams, for a 25-yard gain as he leaked downfield.
Latest NFL News
Arizona finished the game with just 57 yards rushing on 18 attempts. Five of those attempts came on keepers for Murray. At least a few of those happened with the defense keying specifically on Murray while the running back was left uncontained. Seattle’s focus was on slowing Murray down by keeping a defender glued to him. Kliff Kingsbury offense has shown the ability to scheme runs to take advantage of this. However, the Arizona head coach did not make the conscious effort to get the ground game going to help alleviate the pressure on Murray. It was a disservice to both Drake and Chase Edmonds that the Cardinals ignored their talented rushing attack and thrust the weight of the game on Murray and his banged-up shoulders.
Need to Finish
The Cardinals are two bad throws away from a 5-5 record at this point in the season. An underthrow in the waning seconds of the season opener against the 49ers helped seal the victory on that day. The Hail Murray against Buffalo secured another victory. Simply put, Arizona is fortunate to be sitting at 6-4, a game back from the NFC West lead. However, this is a team that has thrown away a couple of chances at victories with underwhelming late-game performances against Detroit and now Seattle. Arizona remains in striking distance of a playoff spot and has the remaining schedule to pull it off. If the Cardinals hope to take that next step, they will need to get better at closing out games.
– Ryan Adverderada is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Cardinals and covers the San Francisco 49ers for Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @ryanadverderada
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Ep 167: Discussing Buddy Parker With Hall of Fame Voter Paul Kuharskyby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2023 at 1:23 am
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Paul Kuharsky joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
A Film Room look at the week 4 College Football Matchupsby LandryFootball.com on September 22, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Six nationally-ranked matchups and several others in the spotlight pitting […]
-
Biggest Surprises in NFL through Week 2by LandryFootball.com on September 21, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Two weeks into the NFL season is too small of a sample size to make […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Campby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Farby Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Steelers at Raiders - Eagles at Bucs - Rams at Bengalsby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Phoenix Suns Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
CFB Daily: SEC, Pac-12, Week 4 Gamesby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Episode 113: What in the Halas Hell?by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:16 am
-
Cowboys at Cardinals - Bears at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Patriots at Jets - Bills at Commanders - Panthers at Seahawksby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Philadelphia 76ers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "NFL Picks"by Boot 2 The Face on September 7, 2023 at 1:59 am
Boys are back talking CM Punk firing, AEW All Out, WWE Payback and picking […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 182: Michelle McCoolby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're looking at the career of Michelle McCool. A teacher by […]