The Arizona Cardinals were once again unable to do enough in any phase of the game in Week 4. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks 27-10 Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium.
What did we learn in the loss?
Zane Gonzalez is no longer perfect
Gonzalez, who had not missed a kick all season and didn’t in the preseason, was shaky against the Seahawks. He missed two of his three field goal attempts, and his one make was shaky.
It is important to note that he had a different holder. Because of a hip injury to Andy Lee, he did not play, which meant Ryan Winslow punted and held for kicks. Gonzalez wouldn’t use that as an excuse, but it is a factor.
Tight end woes still plague Cardinals
The Cardinals defense had allowed five tight end touchdowns in three games and three players to put up big numbers. After four weeks, the trend continued. Seattle’s Will Dissly caught seven passes for 57 yards and scored a touchdown. Fellow tight end Luke Willson also caught two for 26 yards. In all, the Cardinals gave up nine receptions for 83 yards and a score to the position.
David Johnson bounced back, put up big receiving numbers
It was tough running again for Johnson. He had 40 rushing yards on 11 carries. However, he still had great overall numbers from scrimmage. With eight catches for 99 yards, he led both teams in catches and yards. In all, it was 139 yards from scrimmage, which is exactly the sort of production everyone expects from him. The only thing missing was getting into the end zone.
Chase Edmonds given a chance
Edmonds was given a larger role on offense and on special teams against the Seahawks. He started the game on offense with Johnson and played many snaps more than he usually does. He ran the ball six times for 37 yards. He was on the field for a few plays with Johnson also on the field. He also was given a chance to return kicks, although he never had a chance to actually return one, as all of Seattle’s kickoffs were touchbacks.
They rotated right tackles again
For the second week in a row, Jordan Mills started at right tackle. And for the second week in a row, both Mills and Justin Murray, who started the first two games of the season, played. Last week, Murray only played one series for 16 snaps. It appeared he played more than Mills did against the Seahawks.
CB Kevin Peterson got playing time
It appears the Cardinals have made a change at cornerback. They had been using Chris Jones as their nickel corner. Against the Seahawks, in the second half, it was Kevin Peterson who came in. He immediately made a play, breaking up a pass in the end zone.
It seems like this could be a permanent change, at least until Patrick Peterson returns.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Peterson is now beginning to understand the defense. “I expect his reps to go up,” he said after the game.
Terrell Suggs bounced back
After a strong Week 1 performance, Suggs was almost invisible for two weeks. Against the Seahawks, he filled the stat sheet. He finished with eight tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Injuries are a concern
Rookie defensive end Zach Allen left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. He did not return and was ruled out.
Receiver Christian Kirk suffered some sort of lower leg injury at the end of the game. after initially getting hurt, he remained on the field and tried to play another snap. He caught a pass and went down. He had to be assisted off the field. Hopefully, neither is serious, although Kirk’s did look like it could be problematic.
We will find out more in the next day or two.
Cardinals run defense was not good
Chris Carson had the confidence of his teammates and coach entering Week 4, despite three lost fumbles in the first three games of the season. He responded with a big game, rushing for 104 yards on 22 carries. He got better as the game went on, too, ultimately wearing the defense down.
The Cardinals allowed 115 rushing yards to the Seahawks in all.
Kyler Murray was good and bad
Murray had another game where there were ups and downs. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a nine-yard scramble. He finished with 241 passing yards and 27 rushing yards. However, he did not throw a touchdown pass. He was sacked four times and he threw a pick-six.
He was better with his decision making but he also missed some throws he should have made.
They can’t avoid mistakes
The Cardinals continue to be afflicted with mistakes and penalties. Christian Kirk had a big catch nullified by offensive pass interference. The Seahawks’ final scoring drive was extended twice inside the 10. Tramaine Brock was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a swipe at a Seahawks player. Chandler Jones was flagged for roughing the passer.
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