There was something different about The Arizona Cardinals team that stepped on the field Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Since returning from their bye week — that was preceded by a four-game stretch of wins — the Cardinals (7-7,2-2) dropped three straight games and no longer looked like a team made for the playoffs.
Something had to change, and it did.
The run game reintroduced James Conner to the forefront; Kyler Murray protected the ball better than he has in weeks; and the defense stayed sturdy when it counted. With everyone playing on one accord, Arizona ended its losing streak with a 30-17 win over the New England Patriots (3-11,1-3). Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon said the team “earned the right to win” preparing throughout the week.
“I was proud of their response coming off the last (game),” Gannon said. “They bit down on there mouth piece, practiced the right way and won the game.”
bit down on their mouthpiece and practiced the right way ???? pic.twitter.com/kNZJQnHLJA
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 16, 2024
What truly defines good practices? Everyone is supposed to come out to work hard, but how do you gauge a successful week of practice when even that can result in a loss?
It becomes about the little things, and Gannon noticed it by the end of the week, crediting the team’s attention to detail for their success.
“It shouldn’t matter if it’s Week 1 or now, whatever week we’re in, they gotta practice the right way,” Gannon said. “It’s up to myself and the coaches to demand it and the leaders to demand it.”
Attention to detail shows by being able to adjust on the fly.
Arizona held a 13-3 lead at the end of the first half, but that doesn’t negate the opportunities that were missed. The Cardinals had five offensive drives in the first two quarters of the game, and only one finished with a touchdown. Aside from it’s second offensive drive that went for a touchdown, setup by a 53-yard dash by Conner, the Patriots’ defense had the Cardinals locked.
Jerod Mayo on James Conner's 53-yard run:
"We had two players that were pretty much unblocked that probably should have made that play, and they expect to make those plays, and we as a coaching stapic.twitter.com/cYpD9LfoNW
— Christian Carey (@carey_chri47794) December 16, 2024
The Cardinals were held to two field goals and two punts on four of its five drives. What could’ve been a frustrating situation was handled calmly and diligently with the right adjustments — something you can only do when paying attention to the little things.
“(The Patriots) got a say too, they do some really unique things down there,” Gannon said. “I thought we stuck with it and we decided to change the play types up when we got down there, and I thought it was good.”
It’s always good when the adjustments results in touchdowns.
After opening the second half with another Chad Ryland field goal, Murray was hit in the head while attempting to make a pass, negating what should’ve been a New England interception with a roughing the passer call. He was pulled from the game for concussion observation.
Backup quarterback Clayton Tune wasn’t able to do anything, replacing Murray for the remainder of the drive, but that hit was all the Cardinals needed to start their ascension.
The Cardinals were forced to punt with Tune at the helm, but the ball would be back in their hands soon enough. Arizona corner back Sean Murphy-Bunting stole one away from Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, pulling in the only interception of the game. Murray would make his return and the Cardinals would begin to soar.
the…the…the…THE GRINCH ????@seanbunting_ pic.twitter.com/Iwzrr7wFyA
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024
Murray, Conner and tight end Trey McBride took over the ensuing drive, leading to the first touchdown of the second half. Murray looked to no one but Conner and Mcbride on the nine-play drive, connecting with McBride for 36 yards on three passes and finding Conner twice for 15 yards. Conner would cap off the drive with a one-yard run, the first touchdown of the second half.
Maye shook off his interception on the ensuing drive, hitting Demario Douglas for a three-yard score, but Arizona was already rolling by then. The Cardinals marched back downfield and let Conner punch in another one-yard score to put the game out of reach. Murray completed all three of his passes for 40 yards on the drive.
“Some of those third downs were unbelievable plays, I think of the two to Trey off the top of my head,” Gannon said. “He was pulled by the (medical) observer, went back in the game and played winning football for us. There’s no doubt.”
This what Gannon will need to see from his team for the rest of the year.
Whatever was going on at practice and in meetings the Cardinals need to do it again, but better. It’s a steep uphill battle to make the playoffs, but the impossible is in fact possible for Arizona.
It will need to be a one game at a time mentality, and it starts by bringing equal — if not better — preparation during the week for their matchup with Carolina Panthers (3-11,1-3) this Sunday.
“We’re playing meaningful football in December right now, so we’ll just reset ourselves and we know we got a two day trip going to Carolina… so we’re going to have to do what we do throughout the week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday to give ourselves a chance to win,” Gannon said.
James Conner carries Cardinals: Takeaways from 30-17 win over Patriots
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State and other Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live.
