Arizona Cardinals: Sack Day

Oct 6, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington (58) celebrates after tackling Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and preventing a first down during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Feels like just a couple of weeks ago fans were wondering when and if the Cardinals pass rush would get to the quarterback. In the first two weeks the Cardinals had only one sack. Yesterday alone they registered seven sacks on a very mobile quarterback in Cam Newton with a solid front.

It looks like the defense is starting to click and make plays under Todd Bowles’ system, giving up only six points to the Carolina Panthers who had plenty of opportunities to score. Now the defense did have some help from Steve Smith who dropped a pass in the end zone being wide open, and Brando LaFell who also dropped one on a crucial fourth and one.

Daryl Washington came off his four game suspension lit on fire, playing like it was the last game he would ever play. He finished with eight tackles, two sacks, and an interception which surely would have been a pick six against another quarterback. The great thing about it was that everybody was contributing, Patrick Peterson had another interception while Calais Campbell wanted a piece a Newton as well sacking him twice, forcing a fumble, and a safety.

Rookie Tyrann Mathieu just continues to impress, he also got in on the fun getting his first sack of his career. Veteran Karlos Dansby also had two sacks and an interception. Man was he happy to be playing alongside Washington who took pressure off him. The run defense again came to play holding Carolina’s running backs to 70 yards. They still have not allowed 100 yards rushing this year, but were close on Sunday giving up a total of 95 yards the highest allowed this year thus far.

When and if the offense gets clicking this team can be dangerous. With this tough four game stretch coming up it can make or break the Cardinals’ season. Carson Palmer has to feed Larry Fitzgerald and play mistake free football if they have any chance of winning at least one of these upcoming games. Not saying that they aren’t winnable cause they are especially at home which three of those games are. The Seattle Seahawks struggle on the road, Houston Texans may not have a quarterback, and injuries have plagued the Atlanta Falcons.