So It's Like That, Huh, Arizona?

I'm not really mad they won. I remembered at some point last week that I want the Cardinals to win. Always. Anyway they can. Fuck draft positioning. I was just didn't want to see any more humiliating losses, and the Seattle game made me fear the defense had packed it in for the year.

Not that I would have blamed them if they had. They've done their best to carry this team all season. The special teams haven't been terrible, but certainly haven't been the boon they were last year, when Peterson was breaking off huge punt returns every 5 minutes. The offense has been a disaster. I wouldn't be surprised if the defense just lost hope when the Seahawks went up 13-0. I still think they quit in that game, but I understand it. At that point, the Cards' only chance would have been multiple defensive touchdowns, and that obviously didn't happen. That week.

This week? The defense had 2 INT returns for TDs, plus another INT by Peterson, plus the special teams recovered a fumbled punt inside the 10. Which certainly helps. Beanie Wells ran for three TDs, and Lindley only threw 1 INT, but also barely 100 yards. The offense had 2 scoring drives that started inside Detroit's 5, and another inside their 30. On the plus side, they did rush for 99 yards, and Whisenhunt remembered LaRod Stephens-Howling existed, giving him 5 carries. All told, the Cardinals ran it 29 times, to only 21 passes. You'd like to see more play calls, but at least they got the ratio right.

I don't think Wells can be a consistent 20-25 carry back over a whole season. He just can't stay healthy. And LaRod probably can't hold up to that level of work over the long haul either. But between the two of them they ought to be able to get 30 carries a game, provided the defense can keep things close. And until Arizona gets a competent QB, they need to run as much as possible.

Anyway, major credit to the defense for showing up big this week. I imagine they have to be frustrated about the way things have gone, but they responded well to the embarrassing defeat last week. Also, I really dislike that the team fined Dockett for arguing with the coaches about letting the Jets score. I understand the thinking behind letting the Jets score, but I also understand the Cardinals' offense is terrible, and they couldn't have scored a touchdown and 2-point conversion if they had a whole other game. The defense forcing a fumble and returning it themselves was the team's best chance. If the coaching staff didn't recognize that, they weren't paying attention. Which, given some of their decisions this year, is entirely possible.

But hey, that defense sure is good. Beat up Jay Cutler next week guys. If you do, he might throw a bunch of picks and the team could have a chance! OK, the odds are strongly against it. Even slumping, the Bears are more formidable than the Lions, but at least it's in Arizona.