Arizona Cardinals: First quarter grades

4 of 5

GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Phil Dawson #4 of the Arizona Cardinals kicks a third-quarter field goal during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

In some aspects the Cardinals special teams started to look a lot like they did in 2016. Special teams blunders cost the team at least three wins directly.

Although the special teams hasn’t cost the Cardinals, yet, it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Kicker Phil Dawson should be able to attest to that.

Dawson missed fairly easy field goal attempts in each of the first three weeks. The only one that had a chance to be a back-breaker was the miss at the end of regulation in Indianapolis. He redeemed himself with a game-winner in overtime.

Dawson was great in week four. He kicked four field goals against his former 49ers team. Without him, there would have been no overtime.

Punting was a little suspect early as well. However against the 49ers, Andy Lee was fantastic. He averaged 48.8 yards per punt. We’ll take that anyday.

The return teams are fairly non-existent. The punt return team can’t generate any field position. The kickoff return team so far is about the same.

The good thing is the Cardinals haven’t had any punts blocked. There have been no botched snaps, yet. Despite the three misses by Dawson, none of his kicks have been blocked, so there is improvement there so far.

Grade: C+

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