In the second week of the 2013 NFL pre-season, the Arizona Cardinals started off slow. After a Dallas fumble on a three and out punt, the offense got a second chance to redeem themselves.
Carson Palmer drove the ball down field but just couldn’t get it in the end zone.
The defense started off good causing a three and out until Jasper Brinkley got flagged for roughing the passer. The defense held in there causing another three and out.
A false start brought back Fitzgerald’s 20+ yard catch, starting a drive down the field. Palmer had a pass broken up in the end zone and Floyd fumbled bringing up a forth and two.
Palmer threw short while the first quarter came to a close. The offense left a possible 14 points on the field and even though they didn’t score, they still dominated the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Romo made two nice plays, then Powers caused a forced fumble. Mendenhall made a nice run, followed by a three and out.
The Cowboys were doing a good job going down the field until Dez Bryant fumbled the ball, allowing the Cardinals second team to take the field early. JaRon Brown made a high catch, followed by a deep catch by Kerry Taylor, an unblocked sacked, a missed touchdown catch, and then a missed field goal.
The Cowboys took the field and I feel that the defense could of did a better job in coverage even though they caused another three and out. Stanton started a good drive and ended up throwing an interception.
After the Cowboys started to go on another drive, Tony Jefferson ended up snatching up another turnover, allowing the offense to score another field goal. At the end of the first half, the Cardinals’ offense was on the field for just under 21 minutes.
In the start of the second half, the Cardinals defense came out with good pressure, Zach Nash make a sack, causing a punt. Stanton came out poised, the line held up until a fumble on a reverse ended the drive.
In the second half, the defense was bringing good pressure but Tanny did an awesome job feeling that pressure and getting out of the pocket. On one play, Tanny spotted his tight end wide open, allowing him to get into the endzone.
Tony Jefferson came up with his second interception, bringing the total to six turnovers for the defense. I enjoyed seeing the Cardinals defense stop two starting quarterbacks from getting a touchdown.
Even though the offense started off slow, they came back to hold onto the ball for most of the first half. The first and second teams weren’t able to score, that ok, these games are about coming together.
The defense also has some work to do, stopping the run and playing tighter in coverage. For the most part, I was happy with what I’m seeing so far.
Even with the work that needs to be done, I believe Arians is getting this team together to be able to play with anyone. My main question for the Cardinals is, if your leading at halftime, are you going to let the other teams come back in the second half of the games this season?
K