The Arizona Cardinals needed a win against a mediocre Detroit Lions ballclub. The Lions finished last in the NFC North Division last year, as the Cardinals finished last in the NFC West. Both clubs are involved in the “last place finish” schedule.
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The 1-3-0 Cardinals would end up being at the bottom of the league if they lost to the Lions. As it was, Detroit took Arizona to the woodshed in a 45-21 bloodbath.
The game began really good as the Cardinals went
down on their first drive of the game, and scored after a 14-play drive. But in the second quarter, the Lions scored 24 unanswered points and took control of the contest with a full half to go.
So, who played well for the Cardinals? Who didn’t?
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BEAKS
The opening drive – The Cardinals defense got Detroit to go three-and-out on their first possession, and then the offense took over on their own 27-yard line. Right off, an 11-yard catch by TE Trey McBride, followed by short receptions by TE Elijah Higgins and WR Michael Wilson. Then, a 22-yard reception and several plays later a nine-yard grab by WR Kendrick Bourne. Suddenly, Arizona was on Detroit’s 18-yard line with a third-and-10. Seven yards to Wilson set up a fourth-and-short on the Lions’ nine-yard line. The offense went for it, and QB Jacoby Brissett then found TE Teagan Quitoriano for the two-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. 14 plays, 73 yards, 7:54 of clock, and a temporary feeling that today would be the day.
WR Kendrick Bourne – This is a guy who should have been given more reps all season long. Several good grabs to move the sticks. The 22-yard grab on the opening drive was just a preview. In the second quarter, Bourne caught an eight-yard pass that got them from being deep to manageable. Then on the next possession, Bourne corralled the Brissett pass and went 23 yards to Detroit’s 49-yard line. Led all receivers with 70 yards on five receptions.
TE Trey McBride – Yes, the game was out of reach when McBride snagged that bobbled touchdown with 2:11 left in the game. What a spectacular catch on a poor throw. The most amazing aspect was McBride’s feet awareness, much-less his focus on the football at all times. Had the most targets with 10, but most of those were when the game was already out of reach. What gives? Two targets and one reception at the half. Nine catches for 66 yards is a travesty. Throw him the ball!
S Budda Baker – If you want someone to tackle a defender, just tell Budda. Time and time again, he took down an offensive player that his teammates had whiffed on, or let go. Led all tacklers with 11.
TE Teagan Quitoriano – Two targets, two receptions, two touchdowns? Why isn’t this offense getting him more involved with stats like this?
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GEEKS
Non-tight end coverage – All game long, the Lions’ tight ends were wide-ass open. Why? Starting TE Sam LaPorta was open on all five of his catches, and scored on a 38-yard catch and run. The play before was 11-yards to LaPorta and a 12-yard reception on the series before.
Backup TE Brock Wright snared an 11-yard reception that converted a first down. It was so bad that LaPorta led all Detroit receivers with 88 yards, and caught all five targets. We tried to see DC Nick Rallis’ defensive game plan, and are certain it states, “No need to cover the Lions’ tight ends since they are all blockers.”
Offense after the opening points – As great as the opening drive was, it became a scoring desert after that: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, INT, missed FG, until the Cardinals scored a touchdown with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter, and then it no longer mattered.
Tackling – All game long, name a Cardinals defensive player, and he missed a tackle or three. Arizona’s tackling consisted of grabbing waists or jumping on shoulder pads. Remember the wild ride by Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs where a pile of players went for 12 yards? The replay was from the end zone, the pile was headed in the direction of. In the bottom of the pile, you can see Gibbs’ legs still churning. Do they no longer teach players at this level to take out legs? Or is Budda Baker the only Cardinals defender who knows this? CB Garrett Williams had three missed tackles, while LB Mack Wilson had a pair. All game long, players who bounce off Detroit ballcarriers, including two that were third-and-long that became a first down. Pathetic display of how to bring down the other team’s ballcarriers.
Offensive line – Brissett rarely had a clean pocket when he dropped back, and forget about running the ball. There were simply no lanes created all game. Brissett was sacked five times and that could have been double digits if Brissett had not gotten out of the stronghold of yet another defender. This group is in trouble now that Paris Johnson is gone for the season. 56 yards on the ground is a mess. Most passing downs were two words: Jail break.
Defense, beginning with Quarter 2 – In the beginning, the defense was pretty stiff. Detroit’s first three possessions were all three-and-out followed by a punt. After the Cardinals had a three-and-out to begin the second quarter, the flood gates opened for the Lions: TD, TD, TD, FG, TD, TD, TD, punt.
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Bird Seed – It starts with “hold my beer”
QB Jacoby Brissett – To be fair, his pocket was in shambles for most of the game. He tried his best to get out into the flats and attempt to find an open guy, but the Lions defenders were just too much for this pieced-together offensive line.
Brissett had his moments, but on passing downs, unless he rolled out, he was harassed and flushed. He went 29 for 47 for 292 yards, three TD passes against one INT, sacked five times with a QB rating of 91.8.
Fourth downs – The Lions went 4 for 4 on fourth downs. Ouch. But they were a dismal 4 for 13 on third-down efficiency.
RB Jeremiyah Love – At no time was this young guy a threat. Finished with 12 carries for 22 yards with a long of eight yards. This Cardinals team needs premier offensive linemen and pass rushers, and yet passed on both for another running back.
DT Roy Lopez – Had a productive day and was a good anchor to stop the run up the gut. Finished with six total tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one QB hit. His sack of QB Jared Goff in their second possession forced a punt. In the second quarter, Gibbs caught a short pass in the flats, and Lopez tracked him down after a 23-yard gain.
