Arizona Cardinals: First quarter grades

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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares to snap the football alongside wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Offense

As many expected quarterback Carson Palmer was hot and cold. He played great in the second half of week two against the Indianapolis Colts and against the Dallas Cowboys in week three.

Week four against the San Francisco 49ers he made a big mistake throwing an interception in the end zone on their first drive but was great after that.

The inconsistencies, at least a number of them, can be traced to poor offensive line play. If we were grading just the offensive line, it would be an F.

The line gave up six sacks each against the Cowboys and the Colts. It didn’t help that guard Mike Iupati went on injured reserve.

Of course the big story on offense was the loss of running back David Johnson. His loss hurt both the running game and the passing game.

The good news is Palmer has found Andre Ellington as a prime target again. Ellington made a spectacular catch that didn’t count in the end zone this past Sunday. He has great hands. Can he hold up though?

At receiver the jury is still out. John Brown missed two games before returning on Sunday. J.J. Nelson had a great week two against the Colts.

Grade: C-

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