The Arizona Cardinals picked up a win in their preseason debut, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13. Kyler Murray and the starters played one series, as did the starting defense.
The result of the game doesn’t tell us much but there was much to be learned in the game.
Here is what we know after one game.
Kyler Murray looks good
Murray was the story of the game and he didn’t disappoint. He was nearly perfect. All his throws were on target. He showed mobility and good decision making. He looked confident. There were no jitters and he continues to look every bit the star many believe he can be.
The run defense needs work
In all, the Chargers rushed for 179 yards as a team. That stat is bad but what matters most is what the first-team defense did. In the one series they played, they allowed 52 rushing yards. After having the league’s worst run defense in 2018, it is something to pay attention to as the preseason progresses.
There were no starters who sat
It was a surprise, but everyone who was healthy played. Every starter played one series, including 17-year veteran Terrell Suggs and even Larry Fitzgerald. The only ones not to get any playing time were those out with an injury.
Cardinals used tight ends
For as much as has been said about Kliff Kingsbury and his offense with four wide receivers, the Cardinals did not run a single play without at least one tight end. The first play of the game they had two tight ends in the game and then, until well in the second half, they played with three receivers and one tight end every play. Late in the game, they went with two tight ends.
Cardinals need to clean things up
Kliff Kingsbury spoke leading up to the game about the need to clean things up with penalties. The Cardinals did not do that. They were penalized nine times in the game.
Surprising captains?
The team has not yet selected team captains, so Kingsbury chose who would act as captains for the coin toss. For the preseason opener, it was running backs David Johnson and Chase Edmonds, as well as linebackers Jordan Hicks and Dennis Gardeck.
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