Arizona Cardinals: What We Learned From Week Seven
The Arizona Cardinals have had their fair share of hard-fought games this season. Against the Seattle Seahawks this week, the defense showed up once again, but the offense could do no better than 10 total points.
Here's what we learned from another week of missed opportunities.
1. Execution trumps creativity
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has been a bright spot for this disadvantaged Cardinals squad. His ability to maximize results with little to work with in the talent department has been a big part of this team's ability to compete and play tight football, despite the dismal record.
However, today's game could have been a learning curve for the first-year OC.
It's easy to see that a healthy James Conner could have impacted this game positively, but it appeared that Petzing gave up on trying to use the run game to his advantage.
Emari Demercado managed to rack up 58 yards on only 13 carries. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry. After trailing by only four points in to end the first half, Demercado only received four carries in the second half.
Marquise Brown and Michael Wilson combined for only six catches, despite being the biggest offensive contributors in weeks prior.
The Cardinals started to get away from the "adult" offense as the game went on, running a few "cute" plays that ended up getting blown up. Most notably, a bizarre fake punt cost the Cardinals late in the game, as rookie QB Clayton Tune completed a pass to WR Michael Wilson, five yards short of the line to gain.
Now granted, there was very little in the realm of execution offensively today. Joshua Dobbs was once again inefficient, completing just 19 of his 33 passes for only 146 yards. The offensive line did him no favors. Dobbs was hit eight times, losing 28 yards on four sacks, including a play deep in Seattle territory where C Hjalte Froholdt sent the ball over Dobbs' head for a huge loss.
This would ultimately lead to a missed field goal, despite the Cardinals taking over at the opposing 34 on a Geno Smith fumble.
Execution is something that often goes hand-in-hand with talent. If I'm Petzing, I'm not worrying about trying to scheme up a chunk play. Establishing the run, feeding your consistent playmakers and avoiding negative plays should take priority over creative playcalls hoping to make the highlight reel.
Get the ball to the guys that can give you a chance.
2. It's time to move on from Zach Ertz
Since being drafted 55th overall in 2022, many have been calling for second-year TE Trey McBride to see significant snaps. However, this is difficult to justify when you have a historically great TE like Zach Ertz on your roster.
The unfortunate truth is that Ertz is simply not himself anymore. We've seen the ball go through Ertz' hands on critical downs multiple times this season. In today's game, Ertz allowed a pass to go right through his hands on third down, down seven late in the fourth quarter. The drop ultimately led to the failed fake punt attempt.
Although Dobbs has been the culprit of some badly thrown passes, including this one, a reliable pro-bowl TE like Ertz should be a safety valve for a struggling QB. Ertz has 24 receptions and only 168 yards over seven games. In his last two games he's hauled in only five of his nine targets.
Ertz has been the opposite this season.
Sure, it's hard to criticize a guy coming off an ACL tear, and that does play a significant factor in players' stats upon returning, the Cardinals would likely be better off allowing McBride to take over the role, especially if Ertz' mistakes continue to hurt Arizona in crucial moments.
McBride is showing flashes of becoming a solid TE for Arizona, including an 18-yard catch and hurdle on National Tight Ends Day.
With Ertz continuing to look uncomfortable, and, truthfully, unreliable, it might be time to give McBride TE1 reps. He has only 12 receptions on the year, but averages 11 yards per catch.
3. Garrett Williams has arrived
The Cardinals have a CB wearing #21, and it's not Patrick Peterson. Garrett Williams was taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, despite still recovering from an ACL tear back in October of 2022.
Williams began the year on the NFI list, another name unable to help bolster Arizona's weak defensive unit. Williams was activated this week, and his presence became an immediate impact on the field.
In his first NFL game, the Seahawks had the ball deep in Cardinals territory. Under pressure, QB Geno Smith rolled out and tried to force a ball to WR Jake Bobo near the end zone.
Williams was there.
The rookie only had to wait less than a full three quarters for his first career interception.
The pick was not only his first, but also the first of the entire season by a Cardinals CB. Arizona's young--and injured--secondary has been a huge weakness, especially late in games, but the addition of Williams and the return of star S Budda Baker saw Seattle only collect 203 yards through the air.
The Seahawks' leading receiver was rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was held to only 63 yards, 28 of which came from one blown coverage play.
The Cardinals appeared to star in the same movie they have for weeks- missed opportunities led to a hard-fought loss. They'll eagerly await Kyler Murray's return.
In the meantime, disciplined football and opportunities for growing young stars should be the focus of each Murray-less game.
