The Arizona Cardinals had everything in front of them on Sunday. They had an opportunity to finish strong, instead they limp to the finish of the NFL season. The disappointment was palpable after the game as the players understood the opportunity they possessed. Instead of being division champions and hosting a home game, they must travel to L.A. and take on the Rams.
The Cardinals were unable to capitalize on their opportunities on offense and defense. On offense, they were only 1-3 on the red zone and only 50% on 3rd down. On defense, they allowed over 200 yards rushing and allowed the Seahawks to go 8-12 on 3rd down. Allowing 38 total points negated their scoop sack to start the game.
Coach Kingsbury stated, “We were off-schedule the entire game, they played harder than us, and got after us.” Kyler Murray stated after the game “I was frustrated after the game, frustrated about losing.”
Both sides of the ball looked disjointed and for a while it did not seem to matter. The Cardinals required a victory over the Seahawks in addition to a 49er victory over the Rams. The 49ers were down 0-17 against the Rams on Sunday. It was suggested that Kliff should begin pulling his starters as a victory against Seattle would be all for naught if the Rams were victorious. Instead, the 49ers had one of the great comebacks of this NFL season to defeat the Rams in overtime.
Although the Cardinals would have preferred to win the division and host a playoff game, they appear to already be looking ahead. The message post game was that they would have liked to win the division, but the focus is now all on the playoffs. Both Coach Kingsbury and Kyler Murray shared the same sentiment post-game.
Coach Kingbury said, “I expect the sense of urgency to much higher. It’s one and done now.”
“The focus with the team is to go 1-0 because now it’s a new season… At this point maybe going on the road is a good thing”
The Cardinals went 3-5 at home this year and 8-1 on the raod. This team clearly responds well on the road and has issues at home. Although it seems counterintuitive, the best thing for this team may be to go on the road. A trip to So-Fi stadium to take on the Rams might be exactly what they need. The environment is not as hostile or frigid as Lambeau Field. Matthew Stafford has never won a playoff game. Plus, the Cardinals just won there earlier this season.
The Arizona Cardinals blew a huge opportunity at a division title against a 6-win Seattle Seahawk team. However, there is no time to dwell on the past. It is playoff time. This is where the Cardinals can shake any narrative from the regular season and make a new one in the playoffs. One game at a time. Hopefully it’s not one game and go home.