Decrease penalties
The Cardinals had 8 penalties on Sunday afternoon. Granted, the number of penalties has been higher. This is about the average they’ve been committing over the season prior to Sunday afternoon’s game.
In the 34-33 win, it was more about the timing of the penalties which was worrisome. The Falcons took advantage of the early untimely infractions.
The Cardinals had the Falcons pinned early in the game on a 3rd and 10. However two consecutive offsides calls against linebackers Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones gave the Falcons a first down and eventually allowed them to score their first touchdown to go up 7-0.
Those are the types of penalties that need to be cleaned up. The Cardinals at worst were going to give up a field goal. Instead they found themselves down by a touchdown early for the second consecutive week.
Going out on the road against the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints the next two weeks will be tough enough. Penalties like those will end up ruining any chance to pull off an upset in either game.