The Arizona Cardinals lost for the second straight week on Sunday, falling 42-14 to the Washington Commanders. It was a dreadful performance by the defense.
But it wasn’t that great offensively.
They ran the ball pretty well, but aside from scoring on their first drive, there was not enough consistency to keep up with Washington’s juggernaut of an offense.
What can we take way from the game from the Cardinals’ offense?
Running game was a positive
As a team, they rushed for 181 yards. James Conner went for 104 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Then, in garbage time, Trey Benson gained 50. But that was the only thing right the Cardinals did offensively.
Third down was bad
They finished 4-for-11 on third down but that doesn’t tell the story. They only converted on one of their first eight. They went 3-for-3 after the Commanders went up 35-14.
That was the issue. They couldn’t sustain drives and that gave the ball back to the Washington offense, which went 9-for-12 on third down and just piled up yards.
The inability to convert on third down made it impossible to stay in rhythm. They had two consecutive three-and-outs in the second quarter and that is when they fell behind too far to come back from.
Another opening-drive TD
The Cardinals scored a touchdown on their first drive for the fourth time this season. They have done it in every game so far. The problem is after that.
O-line didn’t protect Kyler Murray
Washington’s pass rush this season has been bad. But they were good against the Cardinals. Kyler Murray was sacked three times and hit a total of seven times.
Not enough in passing game from Kyler Murray
The offense starts with the run game. Murray’s numbers were ok, completing 16-of-22 passes and a touchdown. His passer rating was 104.7, but he only had 142 total passing yards.
They needed more from him. Whether it is scheme, Murray or his receivers, they aren’t getting enough playmaking from the passing game, especially in a game when they needed to move the ball more in a hurry.
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