It wasn’t exactly a murderer’s row of Arizona Cardinals pass-catchers that were in the game in the second half with Clayton Tune at quarterback. However, Tune completed 15 passes to eight receivers in the final two quarters and was especially productive on third down.
Who were those guys, or can you name that Tune?
Wide receiver Dan Chisena (5-67), running back Tony Jones Jr. (3-24 with a 10-yard touchdown), wide receiver Andre Baccellia (2-27) and five with one catch: tight end Blake Whiteheart (18 yards), wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (13), wide receiver Xavier Weaver (9), tight end Travis Vokolek (8) and tight end Bernhard Seikovits (1).
In the first half, the Cardinals were 1-for-6 on third down. That improved to 5-for-8 in the final two quarters, including 3-for-3 on two touchdown drives.
On the first, Whiteheart had his 18-yarder to the New Orleans 30-yard line and four plays later, running back Michael Carter scored on an 11-yard run.
On the last, a 12-yard completion to Jones came on the first set of downs of the possession on third-and-10 from the Cardinals’ 24-yard line. Later in the drive, another third-and-10 resulted in a 27-yard completion to Chisena. He had three third-down successes for 46 yards in the second half.
The three plays that did not result in third downs were the 13-yarder to Palmer on third-and-15, a 7-yard run by Tune on third-and-10 and an incomplete pass on third-and-8.
Said Tune, “I was really pleased with how those guys stepped up. Made some really great plays on some crucial third downs. Really happy with how they played.”
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