Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals: The good, the bad, the ugly

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

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Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) defends during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals were whipped in all three phases of the game in 33-18 loss to the Buffalo Bills

It is tough to decide where to start, especially since we are all still waiting for the Arizona Cardinals to start their game. They never got it going on Sunday in their blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.

When you think about what went well, what didn’t and what really didn’t, I think you can put most of the talk in this game to the two latter categories. I expect Cardinals fans to light up social media and the post-game talk phone lines complaining the season is over. It isn’t.

Remember, the Cardinals are just 1-2. They made enough mistakes to cover several games but amazingly this only counts as one loss for the Cardinals.

Mistakes by the offense, by the defense, and special teams all contributed to the loss on Sunday in Buffalo. Quarterback Carson Palmer will show four interceptions on the stat sheet. Let’s be honest though, this game was already over before he threw his first one.

Did anything go well on Sunday? Maybe a couple, but nothing that was game-changing or Earth-shattering. Now for the mostly bad Cardinals action from Sunday.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Preston Brown (52) pursues during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Cardinals 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The good

As bad as this game was, it is hard to start with the good but since this piece covers it all, we start there. There were a couple of good things to happen on Sunday for the Cardinals.

Kicker Chandler Catanzaro hit a 60-yard field goal. A lot of fans harped on his missed potential game-winner two weeks ago against the New England Patriots. This kick was a no-doubter.

What makes the kick even more amazing is the fact the Cardinals passed on having him try a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Running back David Johnson had a decent day, despite starting off really slow. He couldn’t find any holes early. However he finished with 83 yards on 19 carries. He scored two touchdowns on Sunday.

Also, a late safety by the Cardinals showed they were finally interested in getting something done. It was too little too late though. We needed more of that fire in the first half.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The bad

It could be splitting hairs about what was bad and what was ugly but here we are. The Cardinals slow start. For the third straight week the Cardinals got off to a very slow start.

What are the reasons for that? I am dismissing the early start time on the east coast. The FOX announcers talked about it, as they usually do. Just stop. They got to Buffalo Friday night. They are professionals. It wasn’t why the Cardinals started slow or lost.

They started slow the last two weeks at home. Can’t blame time of game or location for that. Is it coaching? Is it attitude? Should the Cardinals stop scripting the first 15 plays of the game?

Also bad was the offensive line. They allowed five sacks of Palmer on Sunday. The rushing game didn’t really get going until the Cardinals were down by 10.

They offensive line was beat time and time again. They got bullied. The Bills defensive line looked much stronger. The Cardinals were forced into a lot of unwarranted early throws because the holes weren’t opening for the running game.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Arizona Cardinals punter Drew Butler (2) and kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) run after the ball after a bad snap on a field goal attempt during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Bills beat the Cardinals 33-18. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The ugly

We have to start with the long-snapper. The issues with long-snapper Kameron Canaday started in week one. He was shaky in week two.

On Sunday he snapped the ball over place holder/punter Drew Butler that not only resulted in the lack of a Chandler Catanzaro field goal attempt, the ball was scooped up by the Bills Aaron Williams and returned the ball for a touchdown. It was a 10-point swing.

In his post-game radio interview, head coach Bruce Arians said that they are going to evaluate the position on Monday. It’s time. I would expect a change at long-snapper this week.

The rushing defense was just bad. You can’t allow your opponent 211-yards on the ground. It doesn’t matter who it is. Bills running back LeSean McCoy rushed 17 times for 110 yards.

When it was still a game at 3-0 in the first half, the Bills got a gift with a 24-yard reception by receiver Robert Woods. Cardinals Patrick Peterson was called for holding on the play. However replays showed it should never have been ruled a catch by Woods.

Nevertheless, the Cardinals were left flat-footed and on the very next play, McCoy went nearly untouched for a 24-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals never knew what hit them and the rout was on. Just ugly all around.