Arizona Cardinals Defense Shines Against Falcons, But the Team Still Finds a Way to Lose

Nov 18, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) powers his way into the endzone for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cardinals 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Let’s say someone told you before the game against the Atlanta Falcons that the Cardinals would force six turnovers and only commit one turnover, and hold Michael Turner to 46 yards.   Would you bet that the Cardinals would win such a game?

I know I would have taken that bet.

And I would have lost that bet.

Yes, the Cardinals created six turnovers — and still managed to lose Sunday’s game 23-19 to the Atlanta Falcons, mostly because of their anemic offense.

How bad was the offense?  John Skelton and Ryan Lindley threw for a combined 41 yards.  The Cardinals converted on only 2 of 16 third down tries.  And don’t let the total stats on LaRod Stephens-Howling fool you–yes, he gained 127 yards on 22 carries, but taking out his two big gains of 52 and 40 yards, he gained only 35 yards on 20 carries, failing to convert on a couple of key 3rd and short plays.

And here’s a message to coach Ken Whisenhunt — Ryan Lindley is not the short-term answer to the Cardinals quarterback problem, and may not be the long-term answer either.

My heart goes out to the guys on the Cardinals defensive unit, who played their hearts out and simply ran out of gas at the end of the game, allowing the Falcons to make a couple of key plays to ice the game at the end.

The season, which started out so promising, has completely unraveled. Until the Cardinals shore up their offensive line and find an NFL caliber quarterback, we probably will be seeing pretty much the same thing that we’ve seen the last six games from the Cardinals.  Coach Whisenhunt can talk all he wants about making changes to get the team back on a winning track, but you have to have the players to accomplish that goal — and right now the Cardinals roster lacks any offensive depth.