Grading the Cardinals’ bounce-back win in Indianapolis.

Quick recap

The Cardinals’ trip to Indianapolis was supposed to be something akin to a spa visit, a pleasant little getaway to reconnect with their inner selves.

Instead, they found themselves in a fight with the Colts, who a week ago looked like the worst team in football.

The Colts looked considerably better than that on Sunday. For most of the game, the Cardinals looked like they did a week ago in Detroit, which was not a good thing. That changed in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals looked like a different team. The Cardinals got their deep passing game working and scored 10 points in the fourth to tie the game at 13.

It took until overtime to win it, however. On the first play, safety Tyrann Mathieu intercepted a pass from Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals took over at the Colts' 26. Kicker Phil Dawson, who missed a 42-yard attempt at the end of regulation, ended it in overtime with a 30-yarder.

That gave the Cardinals a 16-13 victory. The defense stopped the Colts the entire second half and set the Cardinals up to win in regulation. A 19-yard pass to Jaron Brown put the Cardinals in field-goal range, but Dawson missed a 42-yard field goal that would have won the game.

Turning point

The Cardinals faced third and 20 in the fourth quarter. Palmer completed a 22-yard pass to Jaron Brown and was roughed on the play. On the next play, he hit J.J. Nelson with a 45-yard touchdown pass. What seemed a lost cause suddenly became a game. The Cardinals trailed 13-10 with 7:38 remaining.

Instant takeaways

» The Cardinals looked lost on offense for three quarters. Injuries have played a part in that but so have poor performances by some of their highest-paid players. Quarterback Carson Palmer struggled again and right tackle Jared Veldheer had difficulties in pass protection.

All preseason, the Cardinals emphasized getting off to a fast start this season. They started slowly in both games this year. That won’t work against better teams.

Star of the game

Receiver J.J. Nelson caught five passes for 120 yards and scoring the Cardinals only touchdown.

Stats

Minus-3 – That’s the Cardinals’ turnover ratio this season. They had one on Sunday while the Colts did not commit one.

17 – Yards gained by the Colts in the second quarter. The Cardinals offense, however, could not take advantage and scored only a field goal.

2 – Number of field goals missed this year by Phil Dawson. He missed three in each of the previous seasons.

Injuries

None reported.

Up next

Monday night, Sept. 25, Cowboy at Cardinals, 5:30 p.m.

– Kent Somers