The Arizona Cardinals show potential but face challenges after a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — An impressive season-opening win over the Los Angeles Chargers showed that these Arizona Cardinals have potential to be a much-improved football team.
The subsequent lopsided loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday showed just how far they have to go to reach that potential and compete in the loaded NFC West.
Arizona's home losing streak is now at eight games and more than 360 days after a 31-7 loss to the Seahawks, who are the defending Super Bowl champions and look like one of the early favorites again this season.
There's certainly no shame in losing to Seattle, but the Seahawks' 24-0 advantage in the second half, including a 16-play, 70-yard drive to close out the game, didn't sit well with safety Andrew Wingard.
“The league will humble you quick,” Wingard said. “You think you've made it and then you go play the Seattle Seahawks and they give it to you. But I know we've got the right guys in the locker room. No one's going to panic.”
First-year coach Mike LaFleur's offense couldn't get much going, particularly in the second half, gaining just 151 total yards. Jacoby Brissett had just 95 passing yards, which was easily the lowest total among the 14 games he's started over the last two seasons.
Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love gained just 29 yards rushing on nine carries. All-Pro tight end Trey McBride was mostly contained with eight catches for 41 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown.
“It's like I told the guys, the sun did come up today, believe it or not,” LaFleur said. “We're not going to dwell on it and I'm not really concerned about us dwelling on it. I'm excited to see how we'll respond.”
Wingard said the Cardinals learned some valuable lessons during film study on Monday.
“You've got to battle, you've got to tackle, you've got to just find ways to win and create momentum. And we didn't," Wingard said. “But we're 1-1. There's no panic.”
What’s working
The final result was ugly, but Wingard said it's important for the Cardinals to remember they played well during the first half against the defending Super Bowl champs.
The teams were tied at 7-all heading into halftime, and the Cardinals defense had an impressive goal-line stand near the end of the second quarter. McBride was a problem for the Seahawks' defense in the first half and his 2-yard touchdown catch tied the game.
Things obviously changed in the second half, but the Cardinals know they have the potential to hang with one of the league's best teams.
What needs help
The Cardinals couldn't get anything going in the vertical passing game, with most of Brissett's completions being on short passes to McBride or Love.
There's certainly a time and place for a quarterback to use checkdown options, but without the threat of the deep ball, the Seahawks defense had one less thing to worry about.
Stock up
Arizona's defense has been better than many expected.
Safety Budda Baker and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. have been productive while newcomers like Wingard and linebacker Jack Gibbens look like solid additions. The Cardinals struggled to contain Seahawks star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but there's a reason he's the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Stock down
Marvin Harrison Jr. was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 draft and widely seen as a can't-miss prospect with a Hall of Fame bloodline and a stellar reel of highlights from his days at Ohio State.
But a disappointing start to his third season makes it easy to wonder if he'll ever live up to the expectations.
Harrison had no catches against the Seahawks and was targeted just one time Sunday. That comes after the opener against the Chargers, when he had just one catch for 33 yards.
Injuries
LaFleur said the Cardinals might have lost cornerback Will Johnson for the rest of the season because of a neck injury against the Seahawks. Starling Thomas will likely see increased playing time in Johnson's absence. Another cornerback, Max Melton, is day-to-day with a toe injury.
Key number
10 — The Cardinals have a 10-game losing streak against the Seahawks dating to 2022.
Next steps
The Cardinals have another tough NFC West game this weekend when they travel to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
___
