Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals: The good, bad, and ugly

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates with outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) after stripping the ball from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks played to a 6-6 tie on Sunday night

Usually if you see a 6-6 score at the end of NFL overtime, you probably are thanking your lucky stars that you didn’t watch. Although some who watched called it the worst game they’d ever seen, I’d hardly categorize it as such.

There was some good defense, especially by the Arizona Cardinals. The Seattle Seahawks special teams shined for the most part, save for their last field goal attempt.

The Cardinals offense believe it or not, piled on over 400 yards of offense. They just couldn’t put it together when they got close to scoring position.

Let’s not kid ourselves though. This game could have been much prettier as far as both teams are concerned. Seattle did little on offense until overtime.

There are plenty of issues to talk about when it comes to the Cardinals as well. Special teams, offensive execution at clutch times, and poor coaching decisions all played a part in the end result in front of a national television audience.

So what was good? What was bad? What was ugly? There was plenty to go around for each.

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cassius Marsh (91) defends duringthe second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The good

It starts and ends with David Johnson. The man was a beast once again on Sunday night. He carried the ball 33 times for 113 yards and caught another eight passes for 58 yards.

Some of the receptions were out of necessity. The Cardinals sent him for deep balls a couple of times. The Cardinals were without receiver John Brown and also lost Jaron Brown in the game.

In between the Johnson highlights was the Cardinals defense. Although they registered just one sack, they hurried Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson all night. He never found a rhythm. He was held in check on the ground as well. He finished with minus-two yards rushing.

The Cardinals also did not come up with a turnover but only allowed points on two of the Seahawks 13 possessions. One of those possessions ended in zero yards gained after they blocked a Cardinals punt.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The bad

The Cardinals offensive line gave up four sacks. It could have been more had Palmer not been quicker with getting the ball out. It was not a good showing for anyone on the offensive line.

For the first time since I can remember, there must be some blame in this loss placed on coaching. The Cardinals failed on a fourth and one instead of attempting a field goal in the first half.

Then coach Bruce Arians challenged Seahawks Bobby Wagner leaping to block a field goal. To top it off, Arians chose not to allow Johnson to finish what he started after getting the ball down to the one-yard line in overtime. At least use your downs there. The Cardinals kicked on third down.

Penalties also played a part. The Seahawks were more ugly than bad in this area with 10 penalties for 90 yards. The Cardinals had six penalties for 45 yards but it was the timing of the penalties that was bad for them.

Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) looks on after missing a field goal in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The ugly

Special teams. You can’t escape this category about detailing just how bad special teams were Sunday night for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had a Chandler Catanzaro field goal blocked. Then punter Ryan Quigley punt was blocked, leading to the first three points of the night for the Seahawks in the fourth quarter.

Not to be outdone though was the missed 24-yard field goal attempt by Catanzaro in overtime. Then Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka missed a 28-yard a couple of minutes later. A tough pill to swallow for both teams.

Injuries were at the forefront of discussion on Sunday night. Receiver Jaron Brown was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Guard Mike Iupati was struggling to move without a limp and had to come out for a period of time. He was returning from missing a game. He should have probably sat out another week.

One minute he was a hero the next a zero. Receiver Michael Floyd had a huge catch only to ruin it by a drop on a wide open pass that would have given the Cardinals first down deep in Seahawks territory early in overtime.

The Cardinals are going to have to continue to rely on Floyd though. With John Brown’s status uncertain week to week and Jaron Brown out for the season, he is needed, he and the Cardinals have no choice.