In Sunday’s 30-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner totaled 90 yards on just 18 carries. With an average of five yards per carry, it would seem logical for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to make Conner plan A on offense moving forward.
feeeeeed him pic.twitter.com/loO6oDIhGY
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 8, 2024
Other factors determine Conner’s usage of course, including the dynamics of the game score and team deficit. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t make life easy for Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray when they faced him in Week 12, and in Week 14, the Seattle defense sacked Murray twice and intercepted him twice as well.
Still, Petzing was set on throwing a total of 38 passes, squandering a crucial red zone opportunity in the fourth quarter which ended in a missed field goal attempt by kicker Chad Ryland.
JC is really like that 👑 pic.twitter.com/jUSJV91PNH
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 8, 2024
Petzing has become a nominal new-age statistic, opting to overly use the pass when the running game shows itself effective. It’s far too late in the season to live on lectures, but head coach Jonathan Gannon must gather the troops and get the team back to play rugged football. Petzing’s proclivity for flash has made Murray eager, subjecting the offense to squandered possessions when they should be pacing themselves behind the legs of Conner.
Editor note: Conner had 22 touches in the Cardinals’ 61 offensive plays on Sunday. His 22 touches were tied for the most touches he has had in a game this season.
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