The Arizona Cardinals were on the verge of becoming the surprise sensation of the NFL, at least for a week, as they faced the Detroit Lions on Sunday. With the Lions considered serious Super Bowl contenders, a victory over such a formidable team would have elevated the Cardinals’ status significantly, giving them a huge confidence boost moving forward. But, unfortunately, the script didn’t quite unfold as hoped.
In front of a hopeful crowd at State Farm Stadium, the Cardinals stumbled. Despite an opportunity to rally in the fourth quarter, they fell short, suffering a 20-13 defeat and dropping to 1-2 after the third week of the NFL season. While the loss was certainly a setback, there were still some key takeaways worth mentioning from the game.
Kyler Murray’s First Quarter Dominance
One bright spot for the Cardinals has been quarterback Kyler Murray’s efficiency in the opening quarter of games. So far this season, Arizona has outscored opponents 28-7 in the first quarter alone, with Murray leading the charge. Against the Lions, Murray completed all four of his pass attempts in the first quarter for 38 yards and a touchdown. Over the course of the first three games, Murray’s opening stats are impressive: he’s completed 21 of 23 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns — without a single turnover.
While it’s true that a fast start doesn't guarantee a win, it’s still a critical factor that can set the tone for the rest of the game. Murray’s ability to consistently lead the offense to early points puts Arizona in a favorable position. Now, the key will be maintaining that momentum beyond the first quarter.
The Unsung Hero: Jackson Barton
The Cardinals were facing a potential disaster on their offensive line before the game even began. Starting right tackle Jonah Williams was sidelined with a knee injury, and veteran backup Kelvin Beachum was also ruled out. To make matters worse, Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, a dominant edge rusher who had racked up a league-high 5½ sacks, was eager to feast on Arizona’s weakened offensive line.
Enter Jackson Barton. A journeyman lineman with only 13 NFL snaps under his belt, Barton was elevated from the practice squad and tasked with the enormous responsibility of keeping Hutchinson in check. Remarkably, he rose to the occasion, playing a vital role in protecting Murray. Hutchinson didn’t record a single sack while lined up against Barton, a feat that earned Barton a ton of credit. Although Barton left the game with a toe injury in the fourth quarter, his performance was praiseworthy. It’s the kind of effort that flies under the radar but is crucial to any team’s success.
Unfortunately, Hutchinson did manage to get his first sack of the game after Barton’s exit, but Barton’s performance up until that point was nothing short of heroic. He deserved a game ball for his effort, even if the final score didn’t go Arizona’s way.
The Agonizing “Pick-Six That Wasn’t”
One of the biggest “what-ifs” of the game came late in the first half, with the Cardinals trailing 13-7. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, under pressure from Arizona’s blitz, threw a hurried, wobbling pass that bounced off a helmet and into the hands of Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. Wilson took off down the sideline for what appeared to be a pick-six, a pivotal moment that could have swung the game in Arizona’s favor.
But, just as Wilson crossed the goal line, the referee’s whistle echoed through the stadium. The play had been blown dead just before the snap because the clock had hit 2:00. Instead of a game-altering touchdown, the Cardinals were left deflated. To make matters worse, the Lions went on to score a touchdown right before halftime, stretching their lead to 20-7. It was a brutal momentum killer for Arizona, and it’s moments like this that can change the entire complexion of a game.
Run Defense Comes Back Down to Earth
The Cardinals’ defense, which had been stout against the run in the previous week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, struggled mightily against the Lions. After holding the Rams to just 53 rushing yards, Arizona allowed Detroit to rack up a staggering 189 rushing yards on 42 carries. The Lions’ running game stirred up unpleasant memories of last season when the Cardinals gave up the most rushing yards per game in the NFL.
David Montgomery led the charge for Detroit with 23 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown, while rookie sensation Jahmyr Gibbs added 83 yards on 16 carries. Even Goff got in on the action, scrambling three times for six yards. Arizona’s inability to stop the run was a major factor in their defeat, as it kept their defense on the field for extended periods and limited their chances to mount a comeback.
Offensive Struggles Continue
While Kyler Murray’s first-quarter performances have been electric, the rest of the offense has struggled to find consistency. After tying the game at 7 on their opening drive, the Cardinals’ offense went ice-cold. On their next nine possessions, they punted five times, turned the ball over on downs twice, threw an interception, and settled for a field goal. That kind of inefficiency simply isn’t going to get the job done, especially against a team like Detroit.
One of the most frustrating moments for Arizona fans came in the third quarter when Murray underthrew rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in the end zone. Harrison, who was double-teamed, had little chance to make a play, and Lions safety Kerby Joseph easily picked off the pass. It was a critical mistake at a critical time, and it prevented the Cardinals from closing the gap on the scoreboard.
Additionally, two failed fourth-down attempts added to the frustration. In one instance, Murray scrambled for a first down but slid just short of the marker. In another, his pass to tight end Trey McBride was broken up by, once again, Joseph. These missed opportunities compounded the team’s woes and contributed to their inability to keep up with the Lions.
The Road Ahead for Arizona
The Cardinals now sit at 1-2, with a lot of questions to answer moving forward. While there have been flashes of brilliance, particularly from Kyler Murray and the offense in the first quarter, consistency remains elusive. The defense, which showed potential in the win over the Rams, must find a way to shore up its run defense if they want to compete with the top teams in the league.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway from this game is that Arizona can’t afford to leave points on the board. Whether it’s a missed pick-six, a fourth-down failure, or a costly turnover, the margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin. The Cardinals will need to tighten things up on both sides of the ball if they want to get back to their winning ways.
In the end, the loss to Detroit was a missed opportunity, but it’s not the end of the world. There’s still plenty of football left to be played, and the Cardinals have shown that they have the potential to hang with some of the league’s best. The key will be putting together a complete game, from start to finish, and capitalizing on the opportunities that come their way.
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