Arizona Cardinals exhibit many deficiencies in finale

The Arizona Cardinals kept it close but in the end showed all the differences between them and the rest of the NFC West on Sunday

Here’s why the Arizona Cardinals not only lost on Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams but lost 10 games overall in 2019.  They aren’t a good football team simply enough.

Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams showed why week 16 at the Seattle Seahawks was more an exception rather than a rule.  The Cardinals were exposed in many areas on Sunday like they had been at times during the 2019 season.

On offense, they couldn’t run the ball. Sure, running back Kenyan Drake ran for 60-yards, but one of them was for 24-yards late.

Kyler Murray forced the issue several times on Sunday.  He looked like a rookie despite the 325-yards passing.  It also could have been a residual of his hamstring injury.

The defense again though was in the spotlight.  Receiver Cooper Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee torched the Cardinals secondary again, combining for 15 receptions for 183-yards and 2 touchdowns.  Cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Chris Jones made a few plays but it was not enough, a recurring theme in 2019.

Even NFL sack leader coming into the game Chandler Jones, was stopped cold in his tracks.  He failed to hold onto the sack lead, not registering a single sack on Sunday.

The Cardinals were only able to muster one sack of Rams quarterback Jared Goff on Sunday.  Safety Budda Baker and linebacker Cassius Marsh combined for the lone Cardinals sack.

So the Cardinals have work to do starting now as they head into the offseason.  The combine takes place in about 2 months, then free agency, then the draft in April.

A lot of questions to be answered and holes to fill as they try to build on what took place in 2019.  It won’t come easy for sure.  The Rams won their 6th game in a row over the Cardinals.  The division is clearly tilted still in the other 3 teams favor.