The Arizona Cardinals are formally reeling after a 3rd straight loss and fell under .500 (6-7) with an unpleasant 30-18 residence efficiency in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Following an opening-drive landing to vast receiver Michael Wilson, two first-quarter interceptions from the arm of Kyler Murray dispelled any early momentum in a important Week 14 divisional matchup.
An accompanying 44-42 upset win for the Los Angeles Rams (7-6) over the Buffalo Bills left the Cardinals in third place within the NFC West standings.
With the division lead slipping out of attain, the Cardinals will probably be pressured to play near-perfect soccer down the stretch to maintain postseason hopes alive.
Arizona Sports hosts and reporters gave their greatest takeaways from the Cardinals’ third residence loss in 2024:
Vince Marotta, co-host of Bickley & Marotta Mornings: Two weeks in the past throughout a 16-6 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle, Drew Petzing and the Cardinals’ offense, in my view, deserted the working recreation too early.
Sunday in Glendale, the Arizona offense may need been inclined to desert the passing recreation after its first drive of the sport, which noticed them take a 7-0 lead in a recreation they misplaced 30-18.
For the third straight week, Kyler Murray crippled any probability the Cardinals needed to win with two mind-bendingly unhealthy interceptions on back-to-back throws within the first quarter. Leading 7-3, Murray was picked by linebacker Ernest Jones on a play the place apparently the QB didn’t see the defender.
One play later, Seattle pounced with Geno Smith throwing a 19-yard landing strike to Jaxson Smith-Njigba to offer Seattle a lead they’d by no means quit.
Two offensive performs later, Murray stared at Marvin Harrison Jr. and Coby Bryant picked him off. Five performs later, Zach Charbonnet capped a scoring drive with a 1-yard run to make it 17-7.
Felt just like the ball recreation. It was.
Let’s rewind…not solely did the Cardinals’ bye week come at a nasty time. It’s lasted 4 weeks. Sure, Arizona was aggressive final week in Minnesota (a recreation the Cardinals ought to have received), however that heartbreak has been sandwiched by two completely dominant performances by the Seahawks. Both Cardinals traces obtained run over like a speedbump in a busy mall car parking zone at Christmas time AGAIN.
The Cardinals aren’t a playoff group. They tried to get us to imagine they had been, and stacking wins in opposition to mediocre-to-bad groups over the primary 10 weeks of the season had me believing. The reality is, they’ve one win in opposition to a group with a pulse this season.
They could win one of many subsequent two in opposition to the bad-but-improving Patriots or Panthers over the following two weeks, however the actuality is that this group overachieved earlier than the bye week and is extra prone to end final within the NFC West than earn a playoff spot.
John Gambadoro, co-host of Burns & Gambo: There was a complete lot NOT to love about this one.
For one Kyler Murray was terrible with two big interceptions that became 14 Seattle factors. The run protection obtained gashed by backup working again Cach Charbonnet to the tune of 134 yards on 22 carries a really wholesome 6.1-yard common per rush and the Seahawks as a group produced a whopping 176 on the bottom. By the best way Seattle failed to achieve 100 yards dashing in any of their three earlier video games.
Now throw in the truth that for all intent and functions Arizona’s playoff possibilities have passed by the wayside. Ya quite a bit to not like.
The Cardinals had been high-quality shedding to the Seahawks in Seattle. And the loss to Minnesota didn’t damage them that unhealthy. They had been nonetheless in fine condition and management of their very own future simply wanted to win a must-win recreation at residence versus Seattle immediately. But by laying an egg they’re now 2 video games behind the Seahawks with 4 to play and so they don’t have the tiebreaker. Basically, the Cardinals can’t lose one other recreation and want Seattle to lose 3. And that doesn’t even take into consideration the Rams who beat Buffalo immediately in a shootout.
The Murray conundrum continues. She loves me, she loves me not. About thrice this season we had been all completely enamored together with his progress as a quarterback and talent to play like a top-10 QB on this league. But then there are video games like this one – a complete flop by which his play was a direct results of the loss. There have been a number of of these this 12 months. In the tip you choose Murray on the physique of labor over a full season – not simply the unhealthy video games and never simply the great video games. And this one after the 2 INT efficiency final week and throwing an INT in Seattle means 5 INTs previously three video games and the Cardinals are 0-3 when they’re taking part in significant video games down the stretch. It’s simply not adequate. Has to be higher.
Dave Burns, co-host of Burns & Gambo: Before the sport I heard a clever particular person say that in case you’re a playoff group you win this recreation. They didn’t and so they’re not and that’s that. Oh certain, we will speak about profitable out and getting assist and playoff odds. But a division recreation in December at residence must be received. If you may’t…you didn’t deserve it. As for the why? A multiple-choice query the place the one right reply is “all the above.”
Kyler Murray threw two disastrous picks on back-to-back throws that each resulted in touchdowns within the first half. Murray performed decently sufficient final week however Sunday raises questions on his potential to be nice when the necessity is at its best. Three years in the past, a 9-2 Cards group light in December and Kyler couldn’t rise above. Jonathan Gannon stated after the sport that they’re not taking part in significant video games with out him. True however….can he elevate his play to match the second? He seems extra skittish and inclined to strain as of late which begs the query if it’s him or his line play in entrance of him.
Trey McBride didn’t catch a ball till there have been 5 minutes left within the third quarter. The Cards protection gave them an opportunity within the second half however leaked yards like sweet out of a damaged pinata within the first half. Add it up and also you’ll discover a group that wasn’t prepared for its post-bye-week shut up.
When the sport was over “Closing Time” from Semisonic was blaring over the stadium audio system. Maybe they play it each week, however the music was particularly related to this Sunday. Gather up your jackets. Move it to the exits. You don’t should go residence however you may’t keep right here.
Tyler Drake, Arizona Sports Cardinals beat author and Cardinals Corner co-host: The Cardinals entered Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Seahawks because the extra determined group with NFC West and playoff hopes hanging within the stability.
After 4 quarters, it was Seattle wanting just like the group that wanted (and wished) the win extra.
This is a tricky one to swallow for Arizona and its followers. That ahead-of-schedule feeling has gone out the window. And proper behind it are the Cardinals’ playoff hopes.
The season shouldn’t be over nevertheless it certain feels prefer it after this one.
