REPORT CARD
Passing offense: D
Rookie Josh Rosen was sacked six times and had five turnovers, including three interceptions – two of which were returned for touchdowns. The beat-up offensive line, featuring two new starters at guard in Daniel Munyer and John Wetzel, couldn’t help. Larry Fitzgerald caught his first touchdown pass, but he only had four receptions, tied for the team lead with Chad Williams.
Rushing offense: D
Why are the Cardinals still stubbornly trying to always run the ball up the gut? It’s hardly ever given them any positive yardage, and when Rosen has the longest running play for your team in the game – a 14-yard keeper – you know you’ve got major problems. David Johnson was held to just 31 yards and watched much of the game in the fourth quarter from the sideline, which is probably the smartest thing the Cardinals did all day. Why risk getting him hurt?
Pass defense: C+
This would have been a higher grade, but the Cardinals couldn’t cover two big pass plays that went for touchdowns. One was the reverse when receiver Emmanuel Sanders hit rookie Courtland Sutton for a 28-yard score, and the other was a 64-yard bomb from Case Keenun to Sanders. Both players were wide open. It was nice that Keenum was held to 161 passing yards, but the Cardinals gave him too much time to operate and the pass rush only generated two sacks.
Rush defense: D
For the sixth time in seven games, the Cardinals surrendered 100 or more rushing yards, as the Broncos finished with 131 on 31 carries with two touchdowns. Tackling again was a major problem, and things didn’t get any better with Rodney Gunter getting the bulk of the playing time at defensive tackle in place of Robert Nkemdiche. The Cardinals also declined to use more of their 4-3 base defense, which might have helped against the run.
Special teams: B-
The Cardinals should feel lucky they have punter Andy Lee, who is shaping up to be their team MVP. He had a 50.7 gross average and a 46.8 net average on his six punts. The return game didn’t hurt or help the Cardinals, but gunner Brandon Williams had another bonehead penalty, this one for running into punt returner DaeSean Hamilton after he clearly had signaled for a fair catch.
Coaching: D-
Steve Wilks and his two primary coordinators aren’t getting it done. The same mistakes keep popping up every week, and the Cardinals have shown no signs whatsoever they can correct the problems and save this season, which now looks utterly lost. Thursday night’s disastrous performance is expected to cost offensive coordinator Mike McCoy his job, but he’s probably not the only one who should come under fire.