Arizona Cardinals: Eliminated from playoffs with 20-15 loss
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals were sloppy from the get go on Sunday and could not get into the end zone for the second consecutive game
Well, 2017 was fun wasn’t it? The Arizona Cardinals turned the ball over on their first drive, getting into a quick 7-0 hole and it was pretty much over from there.
With only field goals to show for their offensive output, the Cardinals were deservedly eliminated from the postseason on Sunday in their loss to the Washington Redskins. They are now 6-8 on the season.
Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a rough day. It started by being sacked and fumbling the ball. He was sacked three times in the first quarter alone.
Gabbert went 16-41 for 189-yards and one very bad red zone interception. The run game worked for the Cardinals ironically, despite an offensive line that gave up a total of five sacks, 19 over the last three weeks.
The Cardinals had the ball for over 23 minutes of the first half. Yet they trailed 14-9. They couldn’t convert their red zone opportunities.
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The Redskins weren’t much better. However a very good executed screen pass and a short field after the first fumble was all they needed.
The Cardinals have now failed to get into the end zone for 10 straight quarters. That won’t get it done.
There was one bright spot on offense for the Cardinals. They were able to run the ball. They ran for 141-yards on Sunday. The rushing defense held the Redskins to just 31-yards rushing.
So what now? It’s time to play out the season for the Cardinals. They have the New York Giants at home next Sunday on Christmas Eve. Then they finish the season at the Seattle Seahawks on New Years Eve in two weeks.
The Cardinals will have a lot of evaluation to do. Right now, they say Gabbert is in the mix as the quarterback of the future. After Sunday, that future doesn’t look too good if that’s what fans are going to get moving forward.