Tag: nfl week 4 predictions

Arizona Cardinals fans were on cloud nine following the team’s impressive 2-0 start. They had gone into Levi’s Stadium and taken down the defending NFC champion 49ers (before their entire defense went on injured reserve). Following that victory, they killed Washington in their home opener.

Two weeks later, the Cardinals are back at .500 after losing to two mediocre teams. Had the Cards played to their potential to this point, they would likely be 4-0.

Their loss to the Detroit Lions was supposed to be a wake-up call. It was a close game that came down to a few turnovers by Kyler Murray. Those were supposed to be cleaned up, and the team needed to learn from that loss.

Instead, they were embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers led by Matt Rhule, who was coaching his fourth NFL game.

What was most concerning about Sunday’s loss? Everything.

Arizona wasn’t effective in any phase. The offense, which features Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, failed to get going against a bad Panthers secondary.

First off, what is going on with the offense? The first two games felt as if they were ready to explode into a top-five unit in the league. The talent is certainly there, and they showed flashes to start the year. Even against Detroit, the team could move the ball. The game just came down to a few mistakes by Murray.

Kliff Kingsbury’s game plan was interesting to say the least. There was no attacking the ball downfield, outside of missed first-quarter opportunities to Larry Fitzgerald and Andy Isabella. After being labeled an MVP candidate, Murray looks off. It is quite concerning, given that we know Murray has the potential and talent to be an elite NFL quarterback. Kingsbury, on the other hand, showed his ability to adjust and scheme his players open last season. Both of them are plenty capable, so what is happening here?

Secondly, the defense was picked apart by Teddy Bridgewater in the short passing game. Carolina, who featured two backup offensive linemen, completely shut out Arizona’s pass rush. The Cardinals had three pressures on the day and zero sacks. Outside of Devon Kennard’s absence, the defensive line was intact.

Where is Chandler Jones? Where is Jordan Phillips?

Vance Joseph seemingly gave the Panthers first downs at will, playing ten yards off-the-ball soft zone coverage. The concerning part here is Carolina’s offense thrives off the short and intermediate passing game. So why are they playing so far off the ball? There were no adjustments made all day.

I understand that having two starting safeties out makes it difficult to play press man-to-man, especially given the way Curtis Riley played yesterday. There’s no reason to be angry with the soft coverage game plan going into the game. But, if you’re still being picked apart at halftime, change something.

Isaiah Simmons, the 2019 Dick Butkus Award, hasn’t seen the field on a struggling defense. How is that plausible?

At this pace, the Arizona Cardinals are free-falling in the league’s best division. Even if they turn things around, these two losses will come back to bite them unless they can make up for it by beating two of the very good teams on the latter part of their schedule.

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