Arizona Cardinals Look A Mess Against Bucs, Trail 10-0

Sep 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If the Arizona Cardinals were playing the Denver Broncos today, they might be trailing 35-0 at halftime.  As it is, they are playing the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon and trailing 10-0.  It might have been the overall worst half of football the Cards have played this season.

The Cards look very uninterested out on the field, especially on offense.  They are running poor routes, not blocking, and basically allowing this Bucs team to do what they want.  Of course it would help if the NFL wasn’t helping them along.  The Bucs got the benefit of a ridiculous personal foul call on Yeremiah Bell.  He made a perfectly legal hit with his shoulders and allowed Tampa to continue their drive down the field for the final score of the half.

In the end though the Cards did just fine on their own trailing the Bucs.  Quarterback Carson Palmer has decided not to throw to receivers.  He continues to check down and throw slot passes to running backs.  You can do that every now and then but they can’t make a living doing that and expect to win every week.

As for the receivers, they need to stop running three yard routes when they need four.  They’ve been doing it all season and a big reason why the Cards are 0-6 on third down.  In comparison, the Bucs are 6-11 on third down.  Ridiculous.