The Arizona Cardinals have lost four games in a row with a 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Cardinals, just like every game this season, had the lead in the fourth quarter and couldn’t close.
The Colts came in with a 4-1-0 record, so they are on top of the standings and attempted to advance with a loss by their division foe Jacksonville Jaguars.
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After beginning the season 2-0-0, Arizona now sits at 2-4-0. Somehow, this losing streak has to stop as the Cardinals sink further down the standings in the NFC West Division. Every team in the division is currently 4-2-0, except for Arizona.
Who played well for the Cardinals against Indianapolis? Who didn’t?
WINNERS
TE Trey McBride – Finally, a game that featured the Cardinals’ best receiver. Had a nice 26-yard reception early in the game and went 11 yards in the following quarter by beating LB Germain Pratt. The TD catch early in the third quarter was spectacular, and an indication of why this offense should be using him more in the Red Zone. Had 11 targets, eight receptions for 72 yards, and one score.
K Chad Ryland – Made both field goal attempts, went 3-3 on PATs, and was consistent with kickoff placement. Accounted for nine points. Nice game.
LB Mack Wilson – His interception might have been a pick-six if he had been able to keep his feet, but a great play nonetheless. It was a shame it did not lead to points. Led all Cardinal defenders with nine tackles, one for a loss, plus one batted pass.
Third down efficiency – The Cardinals were able to move the sticks frequently as they converted nine of 14 third-down opportunities, which is a high percentage. The third-and-17 converted with a 26-yard Jacoby Brissett to McBride connection in the first quarter was a thing of beauty as Brissett tossed a strike.
LOSERS
Lack of consistent pass rush – One glaring stat was that with all the horses on this Arizona defense, there was only one sack by Baron Browning. Colts QB Daniel Jones had time on just about every passing down. Granted, Indy kept in six players each time to block, adding either an RB or a TE to block.
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Red Zone defense – Indianapolis scored each time they got close, going 4-4 in the Red Zone.
Coverage of tight end – Colts Rookie TE Tyler Warren seemed to be open for most of the game. With 13:06 left in the first quarter, he was all alone after blocking his man, then going out five yards into an open zone, which ended up being a 24-yard gain. Later in the quarter, with a first-and-goal, all Warren did was set up right behind TE Mo Alie-Cox, fake a block on the defensive end, delay his route, then cross and was wide open. Where were the linebackers in coverage? CB Will Johnson finally noticed Warren was all by himself and went in his direction, but was seven yards off and subsequently became a spectator for the touchdown. He caught a nine-yard pass in the second quarter to set up a third-and-short and gathered in a 12-yarder in the final stanza, where once again, he was all alone. Warren led all Indianapolis receivers.
Not stopping the run – RB Jonathan Taylor looked like a superstar out there. In the second quarter, with 12:58 left, Taylor went left and six Arizona defenders touched him before S Budda Baker brought him down after a 14-yard gain. Three minutes later, now on the 33-yard line of the Cardinals, Taylor took the handoff and, in a huge hole between LDE Josh Sweat and LDT Calais Campbell, with a pulling guard leading the way, he took it to the four-yard line and should have scored. LB Akeem Davis-Gaither missed Taylor for no gain midway into the third period, which ended up being a 14-yard gain instead. Taylor finished with 123 yards on 21 carries and one score.
Cardinals Red Zone scoring – 3 for 6. What else is there to say?
Again….not holding a lead late – The Cardinals led 24-17 as the fourth quarter began after QB Jacoby Brissett found WR Greg Dortch for a touchdown. Then, with 9:31 remaining, Arizona was ahead 27-24 after Ryland connected on a 44-yard field goal. In all six games, the Cardinals were either tied or leading with less than 10 minutes to go in every game.
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RB Bam Knight – With the Cardinals still searching for their bellcow back with all the injuries to the running back room, Knight had a decent game and ran hard. His touchdown as the first quarter was winding down was designed to go inside, and when he approached was plugged, so he dipped out to his left and hit LB Pratt at the one, then plowed his way into the end zone. What a nice effort on the dump to him in the left flats early in the third quarter, where he went through four Colts defenders fighting for yardage that gained 20. Finished with 11 carries for 34 yards.
WR Zay Jones – Not an electric game, but caught some nice balls when it was needed. Had back-to-back catches in the second quarter for six and 17 yards that got the offense into Indy’s end of the field. Had two nice third-quarter catches. Was able to pick up the slack when Harrison left the game with a concussion. Eight targets, five catches, 79 yards, and a 15.8 yards per reception average.
QB Jacoby Brissett – Had great game management and made several good plays. The interception in the second quarter, are you kidding? Four yards off his man, Jones, and right to the defender, who didn’t even have to try to catch the ball. Brissett had lots of pressure on him on passing downs for the majority of the game. In the first quarter, he had to toss the ball early when backup LB Austin Ajiake came off the corner and nailed Brissett. Made a nice throw to WR Marvin Harrison in the second quarter under duress with a blitz. The sack right before the half ended a good drive that ultimately resulted in a field goal. A dart to Jones with 3:31 left in the third quarter for a first down. Spotted the speedster Dortch, lined up on the linebacker for the touchdown throw as the third quarter was winding down. The game’s final throw to McBride was way over his head. Finished with 44 attempts with 27 completions for 320 yards, two touchdowns with one interception, sacked twice, and an 89.2 QB rating.
