National Football League

Cardinals QBs approaching records for avoiding interceptions

Published Oct. 13, 2014 6:05 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals QBs have thrown 223 consecutive pass attempts without an interception dating back to last season. That's the longest active streak in the NFL. 

They've opened the season without an interception in their first five games (178 attempts), the third longest streak all-time behind Cleveland (1960, nine games) and Washington (2008, eight). 

They are just 74 attempts short of tying Washington's all-time attempts-without-a-pick record (251) to open a season, also set in 2008.

What gives?

"The other teams dropped a couple," coach Bruce Arians deadpanned. "We've been lucky, we've had about three dropped."

When pressed, Arians provided more insight, noting the importance of another year's experience in his system. 

"All three quarterbacks know exactly where they're going with the ball and where they're supposed to go by coverage or progression. They've been pretty accurate."

He also cited a better relationship between his quarterbacks and receivers.

Arians said Palmer felt fine on Monday, one day after throwing 44 passes in a 30-20 win over the Redskins.

"I was concerned until I saw him today," Arians said. "We should be able to just get better and better and get stronger."

Arians is optimistic Palmer will practice all week. He also said Stanton was ready to play if he had to on Sunday.

With all three QBs healthy enough to play, the Cardinals released QB Dennis Dixon one week after signing him as insurance.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson has allowed four touchdown passes this season: San Diego, New York Giants, Washington (four). He allowed two big plays to Washington receiver DeSean Jackson on Sunday, including a 64-yard TD pass on which he was beat on a slant and safety Tyrann Mathieu took a bad angle with help but was actually in the right spot for coverage.

"Not good for him," Arians said of Peterson. "He got beat on an inside route when he's supposed to have inside technique. That can't happen. When you're playing inside, man-to-man, you've got to force the guy outside. It was not his best game."

It's important to remember that cornerback is probably the hardest position to play on defense. Aside from the no-contact rules that favor offenses in just about every way, a good pass to a fast receiver like Jackson on that particular route is usually going to result in a positive play if it is executed properly.

But Peterson will always be held to a higher standard because of his draft status (fifth overall pick in 2011) and his pay (he signed a five-year, $70 million extension in July). 

Although GM Steve Keim questioned it on his weekly radio appearance, Arians doesn't think focus is an issue with Peterson, like it was with former Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

"I think it's sometimes being over-aggressive; trying to get a jam instead of just using your athletic ability,' Arians said. "Most of his (issues) are technique."

-- Arians said right tackle Bobby Massie had by far his best game as a pro. Massie helped hold Washington outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan to half a sack. Kerrigan's 6.5 sacks rank second in the NFL to Chicago's Willie Young (7).

-- Arians said the Cardinals came out of the game injury-free -- a switch for a team whose 2014 identity is intertwined with all of its personnel losses.

-- The Cardinals defense opened in a dime package with Tyrann Mathieu in the lineup. Because the Cards use so many different defensive packages, Arians said he considers both Mathieu and safety Tony Jefferson starters. But Mathieu logged 49 defensive snaps to Jefferson's 11. That could signal the long-expected changing of the guard.

-- Arians said there's a chance defensive end Calais Campbell (strained MCL) returns this week, but it's a slim chance.

-- Arians said defensive end Frostee Rucker's calf injury -- the same one he had earlier this season -- is probably the sort that will linger all year -- like running back Andre Ellington's foot injury.

-- Arians said the Cardinals had 40 mental errors on Sunday, divided evenly between the offense and defense.

Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter

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