Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) carries the ball as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and strong safety Craig Dahl (43) defend during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have only managed to grab five turnovers in the first three games of the season. In fact, that was over the first two games. The Cards were unable to get a turnover from the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Through week three the Cards have three turnovers, all of them fumbles. They have yet to be intercepted despite having to use their backup quarterback in Drew Stanton thanks to the shoulder nerve injury to Carson Palmer. This leaves the Cards with a +2 in turnover differential. The Cards have actually lost the turnover differential in two of the three games so far. It’s all about opportunity and timing and despite the lack of getting turnovers, a little defense too.
The Cards have managed to throw the ball 11 times so far through the first three games without an interception by the opponent. Palmer had one dropped on him and Stanton has come close once or twice but close doesn’t count in football. The only turnover that has really seemed to be a killer was Larry Fitzgerald’s fumble against the Niners on Sunday at the Niners five-yard line as the Cards had put together a nice drive to try to put the game away with a touchdown. The Cards defense held though.