The Arizona Cardinals looked bad on defense, inept on offense, not ready to play
You have six weeks to prepare for the regular season opener. The Arizona Cardinals looked like they could use another six weeks.
In the Washington Redskins 24-6 victory over the Cardinals, they dominated in pretty much every phase of the game. Maybe Cardinals punter Andy Lee wins there but that’s about it.
The Cardinals couldn’t sustain any drives, the best one coming mind-way through the fourth quarter in their only scoring drive. The Redskins had the ball for almost 24 of the 30 minutes of the first half. That won’t win any games in most levels.
The penalties were an issue. But when the defense can’t get off the field, the offense can’t get off fast enough, it equals disaster.
Even when things seemed to go the Cardinals way, they didn’t. Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche looked like he had a safety early in the third quarter.
Alex Smith dumped the ball to avoid the sack, but the refs did not signal for a safety, saying the Redskins had a receiver in the area. Well, there wasn’t anyone within 10 yards of the ball. That was the kind of day it was.
Starting quarterback Sam Bradford wasn’t sharp at all. Some believed it looked like he didn’t realize what was going on around him. Valid argument.
In the end however, the Cardinals just had no answer for the Redskins offense. Redskins quarterback Alex Smith did pretty much what he wanted. As did running backs Chris Thompson and Adrian Peterson.
The Cardinals were whipped in every facet. It will be hard to find many positives from this effort. The fact they lost isn’t the issue. It is the fashion in which they lost.
They were never ready to play on Sunday. That’s on head coach Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator Al Holcomb, and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. None of them were ready.
There was a glimmer of hope for the future of this season in the fourth quarter for the Cardinals with a David Johnson touchdown run. Johnson only carried the ball nine times on Sunday. That won’t cut it.
It even looked like they’d get a chance to get even closer in the waning moments after a superb punt return by rookie Christian Kirk. However the Cardinals could not punch it in the end zone on four tries.
Now the Cardinals have to prepare for a road trip to face the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams open their season on Monday night against the Oakland Raiders.