Intensity equals victory in today’s NFL. The better team “on paper” means nothing. It is all about who wants it more, and this (as they say) is why they play the games.
The Arizona Cardinals got out-played on Sunday vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sure, there were some questionable calls, and there were times when the ball just didn’t bounce their way, but Pittsburgh wanted this game more and it showed where it matters most, on the scoreboard.
Where to start?
Well, the Arizona defense is known for creating turnovers. It’s known for being tough against the run, and it has a pretty stingy reputation in the redzone. If you were watching this particular game though, you would think I was describing the Pittsburgh defense, and you would be right.
The first half seemed like dream world for Arizona, they out played Pittsburgh in nearly every fashion but couldn’t convert the production into points. The Steelers on the other hand were making plays and catching breaks at the most opportune moments. Then those damn cliches started.
“You can’t let a good team hang around.”
“The scoreboard is the only thing that matters.”
“You have to be able to finish on the road.”
The Cardinals led the game 10-7 going into halftime. Once the second half started, the unthinkable happens. Mike Vick (who only had a total of 6 yards passing in the game) goes to the sideline with a hamstring injury, and doesn’t return. With no Big Ben, no Mike Vick, and a no-name third string quarterback coming in you’d figure Arizona has this game locked up right? But nah.
The Arizona defense had primarily planned for Vick all week with a little bit of prep on Ben Roethlisberger thrown in just in case. No one ever even mentioned Landry Jones, who came in the game and just flat out balled out.
“I just can’t believe I got in the game,” Jones said. “I’m still kind of reeling from it.”
Landry Jones (8 for 12 in passing, 2 TDs, QBR of 93.0) looked the part ladies and gentlemen, especially when being paired with the running game supplied by one Le’Veon Bell.
Then you have the Arizona offense, which continued to struggle and mustered up a mere 3 points for the entirety of the second half. Carson Palmer threw for 421 yards but had 2 interceptions that were very costly, both on the scoreboard and in the momentum shifts. The Cardinals also never got their run game off the ground, totaling 55 yards, which is a season low.
Perhaps the biggest factor was the turnover battle in this game, Arizona lost 0-3 in this department. There were some chances but the Cardinals continued to shoot themselves in the foot. Penalties, dropped balls, missed assignments on third down… there was no “one play” that sealed the Cardinal fate. Bruce Arians said after the game that is was about 10 plays, 10 plays where Pittsburgh just played better and wanted it more.
Another way to say it is the better team won.
It was a tough loss, and the problems the Cardinals had were reminiscent of the Rams loss at home earlier this year. But the season is still young my feathered friends. The Cardinals are still 4-2 for the season, they lead the NFCW, and they will now host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.
Calais Campbell was quoted as saying “Good teams don’t lose 2 games in a row.”
I for one hope the intensity and focus returns right away, because the talent and coaching on this is just too good to be losing these types of games.
Pics by Mike Yduarte
