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The Arizona Cardinals hit the road for the first time in two weeks, traveling to East Rutherford to face the New York Giants after consecutive losses to division opponents. The game came down to the final moments, but Arizona could not overcome its own mistakes in a 26-24 defeat at MetLife Stadium.
With the loss, the Cardinals' record falls to 1-3, prompting four immediate takeaways from the performance.
Ground Game Shows Promise
Arizona's offense displayed wild fluctuations, alternating between looking like a potential playoff dark horse and a team in contention for the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. When the Cardinals were at their best, the running game led the way.
Rookie first-round pick Jeremiyah Love delivered an impressive outing, racking up 63 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. While Love had been steady through the first three weeks, he flashed special ability against the Giants. He was not alone, as free-agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier also made his mark, highlighted by a 22-yard rushing touchdown. If both backs continue to develop, Arizona could boast one of the league's top running back tandems.
Secondary Struggles Continue
A troubling pattern for the Cardinals this season has been the inconsistent play of their secondary. Entering the game, Giants quarterback Jameis Winston had not thrown a passing touchdown all year. Against Arizona, he exploded for 250 yards and three scores.
The Cardinals still lack answers for opposing No. 1 wide receivers. In Week 2, Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba torched them, and on Sunday, New York's Malik Nabers did the same, hauling in six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. The absence of standout cornerback Will Johnson, who is out for the season, certainly hurts, but schematic adjustments could help mitigate the damage.
There were bright spots: star safety Budda Baker recorded an interception and a key pass breakup, while cornerback Denzel Burke also picked off a pass. Nevertheless, the secondary must correct its issues quickly, with the methodical Detroit Lions offense looming next week.
Offensive Line Woes
Arizona's offensive line remains a significant problem. Two of quarterback Jacoby Brissett's three interceptions occurred because pressure arrived too quickly. Giants rookie linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese consistently disrupted the Cardinals' protection. While Reese is a talented player, Arizona's inability to adjust is alarming. Among all the team's issues, this may be the primary reason for the disappointing start.
While fans may be frustrated with Brissett's play, poor pass blocking limits what any quarterback can do.
Coaching Questions for Mike LaFleur
All of these problems trace back to coaching. Yes, head coach Mike LaFleur is in his first year, but some decisions are hard to justify. Arizona started strong, jumping out to a 14-6 lead while both the run and pass games clicked. However, LaFleur largely abandoned the rushing attack until the team fell behind.
The trend continued late, when LaFleur called four consecutive pass plays with the game on the line. Given that Arizona averaged 4.7 yards per carry, the lack of rushing attempts is puzzling. Overall, the Cardinals have plenty to fix as the young season progresses.