Arizona Cardinals lead Bucs at halftime 24-0

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) intercepts a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) intercepts a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona Cardinals take a three-score lead into the locker room at halftime

The Arizona Cardinals started out slow, at least offensively.  However thanks to three-first half Tampa Bay Buccaneers turnovers, the Cardinals have a 24-0 lead at halftime.

All of the scoring took place in the second quarter.  The score was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.  The Cardinals could easily be up 28-0.

Cardinals cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Marcus Cooper each got an interception of Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.  Winston also fumbled once as the ball was knocked out of his hands by teammate running back Charles Sims.

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer over threw his receivers at a couple of points but he maintained control and threw two touchdowns.  His first touchdown throw was a yard-pass to receiver Larry Fitzgerald.  That touchdown reception was Fitz’s 101st of his career.

Fitz had a chance for number 102 but he fell about a yard and a half short.  After a couple of attempts to get him number 102, he eventually found receiver Michael Floyd for his second touchdown pass of the game.

Running back David Johnson ran the ball 10 times for just 39 yards but he was still able to swat a couple of Bucs away on a couple plays.  Vintage David Johnson.

After the Cardinals stopped the Bucs three-and-out before halftime, they got the ball back with 1:05 remaining.  Several plays later the Cardinals were able to score on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to receiver Jaron Brown.

The Cardinals can’t let up coming into the second half.  They have complete control but as we know things can change quickly.  Keep the foot on the pedal.

The one thing the Cardinals haven’t been able to do is get any kind of pass rush on Winston.  That needs to change, even with the lead.  They will need that pass rush coming up over the rest of the season.  Its something to work on with the large lead.