Arizona Cardinals Lose Again: Flapping Hard, Landing Harder
How could it possibly get worse? That's the question many Cardinals fans have been asking themselves after last week. It did get worse this weekend. To start, Kyler Murray was ruled out before the game even started with a foot injury. This meant that Jacoby Brissett would need to play. He stepped up, but the offensive line did not. He had 27 completions on 44 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. Brissett was running from the defensive line the entire game. Multiple shots of the game showed Brissett getting up after getting clobbered by the defensive line. The performance was decent, but that does not matter because the Cardinals now have two wins and four losses.
A Strong First Half
The Colts immediately brought the ball down the field and scored. Daniel Jones found Tyler Warren for an eight-yard score, making the score 7-0. The Cardinals failed to respond, having to punt almost immediately. Then they had the ball again. From the Colts’ 49-yard line, the Cardinals got a seven-yard run. Then Brissett found Elijah Higgins for a 10-yard pass. Brissett then got the Cardinals into field goal range. Then, after a couple of unsuccessful runs, it was third and 17 at the Colts’ 33-yard line. Jacoby Brissett then threw a 26-yard pass to Trey McBride. Now it was a first and goal from the six-yard line. Then the Cardinals ran it in for the touchdown with Zonovan Knight. The score was now 7-0. Daniel Jones then threw an interception to the Cardinals, which took it to the Colts’ 27-yard line. Then immediately Brissett threw an interception, which took it to the Colts’ 14-yard line. Jonathan Taylor then ran it to the 27-yard line. The Cardinals had no answer. Daniel Jones brought the ball down the field until Jonathan Taylor had a 30-yard run to Arizona's three-yard line. Then Daniel Jones scrambled for a three yard touchdown. The score was now 14-7. On third and fourth from Arizona's 36-yard line Brissett hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 21-yard reception. Brissett then threw the ball on the slant and brought the ball to the 16. The Cardinals were forced to kick a field goal. The score is now 10-14. Marvin Harrison Jr. left the game early, being evaluated for a head injury.
Finishing Flat
To start the half, Brissett hits Knight for a 20-yard pass to get to the Colts’ 41-yard line. Brissett brings the ball all the way to the Colts’ 17. On third and one, Jacoby Brissett converts by running the ball up the middle. It is now first and goal from the five-yard line. After a couple of failed plays, McBride catches a touchdown on a play-action pass. The score is now 17-14. Then the Colts get to their 45 from their 30 on a successful pass. Jonathan Taylor takes a pass to the right to get to the Cardinals’ 42. Jonathan Taylor takes the ball to the 31-yard line. The Colts score a field goal. The score is now 17-17. The Cardinals now have the ball. On a second and 10 from the Cardinals 34-yard line, an unnecessary roughness penalty brings it to the Cardinals’ 49. On second and seven, Brissett throws a 21-yard pass to get to the Colts 27. On second and five, Brissett hits another pass to get a first in the red zone. Brissett passes to Greg Dortch for a touchdown. The score is now 24-17. The Colts receive. Immediately, Daniel Jones runs it to the Colts’ 49-yard line. Daniel Jones threw the ball down the field until they got to the Cardinals’ 33-yard line. Daniel Jones hits a pass on a 26-yard reception straight down the left. Now it was first and goal. Daniel Jones passes it for the touchdown. The Cardinals then brought the ball down the field and converted a field goal. The score was now 27-24. Daniel Jones immediately brought the ball down the field until they were inside the 20. On a crucial play on third and eight from the 12-yard line, the Colts converted. On first and goal, Jonathan Taylor scored on a pitch. The score was now 31-27. The Cardinals now had the ball. In a huge play, Jacoby Brissett scrambled for a 12-yard gain to the Cardinals’ 49-yard line. Then a nine-yard run got the Cardinals to the Colts’ 42-yard line. After three unsuccessful downs, it was fourth and seven. There was no conversion, and the score ended 27-31.
The Cardinals played good. However, none of that matters. What matters is that they are last in their division and now have two wins and four losses. They will now have to work three times as hard to make the playoffs. They have no other options but to win at this point. Jacoby Brissett played well enough today to question if he should be the starter. This performance was hopeful, but hope will not get the Cardinals into the playoffs.
