Arizona Cardinals: Hot and Cold Streaks Heading Into Week 5

Sep 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cold: Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer was hot when the time was right, but overall wasn’t at the top of his game against the Bucs.   He completed 21 of 38 (55.3 percent) for 248 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. The offense went 1 for 11 on third down conversions. He also did not target Larry Fitzgerald even once until the third quarter, and the pair had some communication issues before snaps, as they have had in all of their first four games together.

This kind of play from the quarterback clearly doesn’t mean a team can’t get by. That said, the Buccaneers aren’t exactly the cream of the NFL crop. Against superior opponents, Carson Palmer cannot be mediocre and expect to win.

The justification for bringing Carson Palmer to Arizona was that he would perform far, far better than any of the quarterbacks the Cardinals had in 2012.  This still holds true, but Carson Palmer needs to bounce back against the Panthers.