What we learned in the Cardinals’ 19-16 OT loss to the Buccaneers
The Arizona Cardinals lost for the fifth straight game and the seventh time in their last eight on Sunday night at State Farm Stadium. They fell 19-16 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime.
They are now 4-11 on the season and have dropped to last place in the NFC West.
Trace McSorley started for the Cardinals, making his first NFL start.
But in the end, it was the Buccaneers led by quarterback Tom Brady who erased a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, forced overtime, and then won it.
What can we take away from this week’s loss?
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The team continues to play hard.
The Cardinals weren’t great overall, but in a lost season, it’s nice to see the effort still there.
The defense held the Bucs for more than three quarters.
They have not given up and continue to play hard, looking for wins.
Greg Dortch continues to make plays on opportunities
Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
Dortch had only gotten 10 offensive snaps in the last two weeks, but his number was called a lot on Sunday. It was one of the good things about the game as he led the team with 10 receptions for 98 yards. He also three runs for 25 yards, giving him a total of 123 yards from scrimmage.
While he seems to make plays every chance he gets, coach Kliff Kingsbury isn’t sorry he gave him more playing time.
James Conner was the other bright spot
Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
Conner continues his hot streak at the end of the season. He averaged 5.3 yards per attempt for 79 yards and a rushing touchdown. He added seven catches for 41 yards, giving him a total of 120 yards from scrimmage.
Dortch and Conner combined for 243 of the Cards’ 325 offensive yards.
Trace McSorley wasn’t good but he wasn’t horrible
Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
McSorley made his first NFL start and it didn’t go well, but he also played well enough to keep the Cardinals in the game.
He completed 24 of 45 passes for 217 yards and one interception.
He took the blame for two of the Cardinals’ three turnovers. He was stripped of the ball in the first quarter when the Cardinals were within field goal range.
Keaontay Ingram’s fumble in the fourth quarter was the result of a shot that McSorley said he missed far enough.
Defense was good again until it wasn’t
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Arizona’s defense has been excellent early in games and has collapsed in the second half. They allowed 20 unanswered points to the Patriots in a 27-13 loss. They allowed 21 unanswered last week in a 24-15 loss to the Broncos.
Through three quarters, they held the Buccaneers to just six points.
But leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter, they allowed 10 points in regulation and then the Bucs’ game-winning drive in overtime, a total of 13 unanswered points when they led.
Marco Wilson removed the GOAT twice
Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
Wilson had two interceptions in the game. They were both great. One game almost at the goal line and the other set up the Cardinals’ last three points of the game.
injuries to see
Wilson left the game clutching his wrist. Kingsbury said he thought it was a stinger.
Safety Jalen Thompson was hit late in the game.
After the game, center Billy Price was in the locker room with a bad right knee and long snapper Aaron Brewer left with an ice cold shoulder or chest area.
Going down the ranks, going up the draft
While it sucks to see the team lose, it came in handy for his offseason job. They fell to last place in the NFC West when the Rams won their game against the Broncos.
By doing so, the Cardinals will move up in the NFL draft. They would have the fourth overall pick in the draft if the season ended today.