The Arizona Cardinals lost in Week 8 31-9 to the New Orleans Saints on the road. They were completely outmatched. The running game didn’t work. The defense couldn’t stop the Saints. The coaching decisions weren’t good.
Some players played poorly while some did well in the loss. Who were the studs and duds of Week 8 for the Cardinals?
Stud: TE Charles Clay
Clay entered the game with 65 receiving yards on the season. Against the Saints, he led the team in receiving yards with 88 on three catches. All three of his receptions went for at least 19 yards. One was a 47-yard play.
Dud: RB Chase Edmonds
Edmonds was coming off a 27-carry, 126-yard performance. David Johnson was to miss the game, which meant Edmonds would have the chance to shine again. He didn’t. There was no room for him at all. He ended up leaving the game with a hamstring injury, but before that, he was completely ineffective. He rushed seven times for eight yards. He had two receptions for five yards.
Stud: K Zane Gonzalez
Gonzalez was perfect again on Sunday, accounting for the only points the Cardinals scored. He was 3-for-3 on field goals, and one of them was a 50-yard kick. He has been nothing short of phenomenal this season.
Dud: OLB Chandler Jones
The Cardinals’ pass rush was an overall dud. After eight sacks against the New York Giants, they did not record a single sack against Drew Brees. Chandler Jones was completely ineffective. He himself had four sacks in Week 7. He had zero in Week 8. He had one tackle and did not hit Brees once. His only positive play was at the end of the first half when he drew a holding call that took a touchdown off the board, keeping the game 10-6.
Stud: WR Christian Kirk
Kirk returned from his ankle injury to play for the first time in a month. He played well. He caught eight passes for 79 yards and also had a 19-yard rush. He was the one consistent bright spot on offense.
Dud: WR Larry Fitzgerald
It was more a reflection of the offense in general but Fitz was quiet. He finished the game with only two catches for eight yards. He just missed scoring a touchdown on an end zone fade throw.
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