GLENDALE – Through five weeks of the 2025 season, the Arizona Cardinals’ offense had the ball to clinch a win in every single game. In four of the first five weeks, Arizona just needed one first down to win the game, and it failed every single time. The defense came to save the day in Week 1 and 2 but couldn’t bail the team in the last three weeks, losing on walk-off field goals.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Head coach Jonathan Gannon spoke postgame following the Tennessee Titans loss and stated the team needs to be better in the clutch, but how does it go about achieving that goal?
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon celebrates touchdown with wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) and quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Cardinals final offensive drive in the first five weeks:
- Saints: three plays, -9 yards
- Panthers: three plays, four yards
- 49ers: five plays, 15 yards
- Seahawks: 12 plays, 57 yards (TD)
- Titans: six plays, 15 yards
The lone touchdown drive saw the team throw the ball nine times, where quarterback Kyler Murray went six-of-nine for 49 yards and the touchdown to running back Emari Demercado. The play selection was much different compared to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing more run-heavy offensive scheme.
Petzing tends to rely on that when Arizona is ahead in the game, which can bee seen in the other four weeks play selection. Outside of the Seahawks, the Cardinals led in each of their previous game on the final offensive drive and the play selection has been 12 run plays to 5 pass plays.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 31, 2023. © Mark Henle / USA TODAY NETWORK
The conservative approach is acceptable when the run game is generating yards, which in year’s past Arizona has been stellar in that regard. However, many times, the offense has run plays on first and second downs that go for zero or one yard, creating third and long situations.
The Cardinals are putting them behind the sticks and costing themselves games because it doesn’t put enough trust in its $230.5 million man Kyler Murray.
Jul 27, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray talks to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
In Week 6, Arizona plays its toughest opponent in the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed the 12th-lowest amount of rushing yards per game in the NFL. The Cardinals run game, that is already missing James Conner and Trey Benson, will be in even more trouble a talent Colts front seven.
Petzing will have to trust his quarterbacks, whether its Murray or backup Jacoby Brissett, to win the game in the air and start using the offensive weapons like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride.
Cardinals backup QB Jacoby Brissett ready if needed for Week 6 vs. Colts
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
