Arizona Cardinals: All or Nothing, Episode 6
By Scott Allen
Amazon’s all-access series All or Nothing featuring the Arizona Cardinals and their journey in 2015
A loss of a star defensive player always hurts. This one seemed to hurt more though only because this is now the second time and the Arizona Cardinals are much closer to their goal this time around.
The loss of safety Tyrann Mathieu to a second torn ACL. The best news is this should not ruin his 2016 season. There is optimism he will return sometime during training camp.
In episode 6 we also get some more insight into the life of linebacker Dwight Freeney. The dude can cook! He cooks up a meal for his teammates. Some Jamaican rice and wings. The team can’t get enough, though there is some doubt (in jest) that he cooked that food himself.
Now it’s time for the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals are moving into the last two weeks of the regular season, both home games.
First we saw Freeney’s skills as a cook but in the game his on-the-field skills are featured. He ends up sacking Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers three times.
Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Redding gets into the act. He makes up for getting tripped up on an interception in Detroit and not scoring a touchdown but picking up a Rodgers fumble and taking it to the house en route to a 38-8 victory. A first-round bye has been accomplished.
After the huge win, the Cardinals still know there is work to do. Although in the end the Seattle Seahawks game the following week may not mean much other than another victory, it does mean a lot in the sense they could sweep them for the first time in six season.
The week leading up to the Cardinals game was not a good one. First, we learn of Riley’s death, Michael Bidwill’s rescue dog. He is interviewed and the eyes swell up with tears. How could they not for you either? Despite knowing the loss was coming soon, it still stings.
The week of practice was not good. The team lacked energy. The coaches knew they could be in for a rough one on Sunday.
Moving on to Sunday, the Cardinals came out and played just like the week played out on the practice field. The Cardinals were too involved in their own press clippings. They knew there was little chance the Carolina Panthers would lose and give the Cardinals a chance at the number one seed.
There will be no Redding cookies this week being passed around the locker room. The Cardinals get crushed 36-6. Quarterback Carson Palmer was taken out of the game at halftime. A Smart move. Time to move on to the playoffs. Three victories away from the trophy.