Arizona Cardinals Audition for 2013 is Officially on, Get Smoked by St. Louis Rams 31-17
By Scott Allen
Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) escapes a tackle by St. Louis Rams free safety Quintin Mikell (27) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams beat the Cardinals 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Well, short of calling the season over…it’s over. Sure, the Arizona Cardinals still have five games left, but any realistic chance of winning has left town. Even slim has checked out. The best chance for victory in the final six games was today. However, Cards rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley was picked off four times en route to a St. Louis Rams rout 31-17 over the Cards on Sunday.
Two of the picks were returned for touchdowns by Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins. One was returned in the second quarter and one in the third. The second one gave the Rams a 28-17 lead and then it was complete throw mode for the Cards. That was unfortunate because the running game looked good early for the Cards.
Cards running back Beanie Wells returned from missing seven games due to Turf Toe. He rushed for two touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns were in the first half. The Cards were shut out in the second half.
It was really the tale of two halves. In the first half, even the offensive line played well. The Cards allowed no sacks of Lindley in the first half. The second half it was Lindley dodging bullets once again. Lindley overthrew his targets often in the second half too. He was 17-24 in the first half, but just 14-28 in the second half.
Lindley looked decent on the short to mid-range throws, but everything deep was off. There were even a few that were (Cards QB) John Skelton off. It got that bad. Lindley played every bit like a sixth-round pick once it was all said and done. He may be good someday, but that someday will not come in 2012. Now, it is time for the Cards to look ahead to 2013. Play everyone and see what you have. Try different schemes. Right now, nothing is working. You’ve got nothing to lose because either way, five more Cards losses seem almost a certainty now to end the season.