Cards-13 Steelers-25: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

[NJCardFan]

This was a bizarre game to say the least and one that shouldn't have been close not to mention there was no reason to lose this game.

The Good

Patrick Peterson-Held Antonio Brown to pretty much nothing.

John Brown-Kid had a monster game save for the fumble which couldn't be helped considering he was blasted by Harrison, a hit that should have drawn a penalty but didn't.


The Bad

No Pass Rush-I hate to beat a dead horse but I said before the season started, all the way before the draft, that this was going to be a major issue and lo and behold this issue bit us in the tail again. This all lies on BASK for not addressing this issue at all. Aging Steeler/Colt LB's isn't getting it done.

Dropped Passes-The Fells one was a particularly big one.

Offensive Line-This was probably their worst game. Couldn't open up any running lanes and had Palmer on the run for most of the game. Yes Palmer was sacked only once but he was pressured all day.

Missed Opportunities-Never have I seen a team dominate a half and only come away ahead 7 points. Spent most of the 1st half in Steeler territory and couldn't come away with any points and nothing pisses me off more than INT's in the endzone.

Lack Of Heart-I find this troubling. With the game still in doubt, no one on either side of the ball could make a play right down to Palmer throwing the INT at a point where we could have won the game.

Failure To Take Control-With Carolina beating Seattle, we could have gone up 3 games in this division but instead we lay an egg.

The Ugly

Stupid Penalties-Nearly 100 yards in penalties in the 1st half alone. Yes, some were bogus but still. They all can't be bogus.

Officiating-Not that the officials are to blame for this loss but some of those calls were beyond horrible. The roughing the passer in the endzone was especially egregious.

That's it for now. I'm in the middle of a camping trip but like this team, my heart isn't in this right now. Well, back home next week. Hopefully this team can pull their heads out of their asses and play some consistent football.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Too much ugly and bad.

So many missed opportunities.

To quit with time left in the game and allow the last TD is inexcusable.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The lack of heart/grit/whatever you want to call it is the most distressing thing to me and has me pretty down on the team. This was the second dog-fight they got into and the second time they had a chance to pull it out at the end and Palmer looked like Raider Palmer in both instances and then the D folded like a tortilla right after in both instances, even though they had 3 TOs and a chance to still get the ball back with 2 minutes left.

that's pathetic. and both happened against mediocre at BEST opponents.

 

[jeeperaz]

Was Palmer really pressured that much?

I watched the game at a bar and couldn't give it my normal attention. From what I saw/recall, Palmer had more time than normal to throw and he moved around the pocket nicely.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Is it a rule the Cards must allow a Steeler wearing #10 to make them look stupid?

 

[GatorAZ]

Was Palmer really pressured that much?

I watched the game at a bar and couldn't give it my normal attention. From what I saw/recall, Palmer had a more time than normal to throw and he moved around the pocket nicely.

He maneuvered around beautifully today. That's a plus regarding the knee at least.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Is it a rule the Cards must allow a Steeler wearing #10 to make them look stupid?

Must be, ugh

 

[NJCardFan]

The other distressing thing. The inability to come from behind. 2 games where we fell behind. 2 losses.

 

[Darkside]

The other distressing thing. The inability to come from behind. 2 games where we fell behind. 2 losses.

We look like a front-running team right now. When we're rolling were unstoppable, but as soon as someone punches us back...

We can't overcome penalties or turnovers, everything has to be perfect. We're mentally soft.

 

[NJCardFan]

We look like a front-running team right now. When we're rolling were unstoppable, but as soon as someone punches us back...

We can't overcome penalties or turnovers, everything has to be perfect. We're mentally soft.

Can't argue with you there and that comes down to coaching. Like I said before, I think BA is a good coach but he's far from the genius people make him out to be. If there was ever a game this team should have been focused was this one and they just weren't focused.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Was Palmer really pressured that much?

I watched the game at a bar and couldn't give it my normal attention. From what I saw/recall, Palmer had more time than normal to throw and he moved around the pocket nicely.

I was at this game and did not think he was pressured that much. Granted he is a veteran and moved around well to escape but I thought he played good. What I dislike was the way the Steelers Oline just dominated our dline in the second half.

 

[Bert]

Just got around to reading this one. Good write up as always NJ thanks for your efforts.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just as an aside, I don't remember the Cardinals ever winning a game where they stayed in the east instead of coming home after a game. I think the extra 3 or 4 hours gained in travel time is not worth the break in routine that is lost not being at home in familiar surroundings during the week.

 

[Jetstream Green]

They care, it is not like did not care about getting beat. I think saying 'a lack of heart' is way off but rather a complete lack of focus or patience. It is like they expect things to be handed to them... here is one, maybe it is overconfidence to the point they do not feel they have to pay attention lol

 

[Bert]

They care, it is not like did not care about getting beat. I think saying 'a lack of heart' is way off but rather a complete lack of focus or patience. It is like they expect things to be handed to them... here is one, maybe it is overconfidence to the point they do not feel they have to pay attention lol

I agree. And the Cards let the officiating issues get to them WAY too much and it became a major distraction. You could tell they were all pissed off and Arians was hot the whole game.

I totally get it, it was super frustrating, but they have to learn to forget about that. There is literally nothing you can do or say once a call has been made to make them change their minds. When has any ref ever said; Hmm, those are some excellent points coach. In light of your superb case you have presented, I have decided to pick up that flag.

So I'm with you. I'm not ready to say lack of heart, but this team DEFINITELY needs to grow up. Especially the defense. That last score was nothing more than a complete and total lapse in focus, effort and composure. That cant happen again. Bad calls happen, the game doesn't stop so you can have your temper tantrum. That attitude starts at the top and I love Arians fire, at one point last week during the game I was cheering him on when he was yelling at the stupid ref. "TELL HIM BA!!!!" but in reality, cooler heads have to prevail.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I agree. And the Cards let the officiating issues get to them WAY too much and it became a major distraction. You could tell they were all pissed off and Arians was hot the whole game.

I totally get it, it was super frustrating, but they have to learn to forget about that. There is literally nothing you can do or say once a call has been made to make them change their minds. When has any ref ever said; Hmm, those are some excellent points coach. In light of your superb case you have presented, I have decided to pick up that flag.

So I'm with you. I'm not ready to say lack of heart, but this team DEFINITELY needs to grow up. Especially the defense. That last score was nothing more than a complete and total lapse in focus, effort and composure. That cant happen again. Bad calls happen, the game doesn't stop so you can have your temper tantrum. That attitude starts at the top and I love Arians fire, at one point last week during the game I was cheering him on when he was yelling at the stupid ref. "TELL HIM BA!!!!" but in reality, cooler heads have to prevail.

I think there should be some level of arguing your case to the ref, but obviously BA can take it too far at times. Also it should mostly be the coach doing it and not the players as they need to get ready for the next play. I think it does a couple things when the coach gets on the refs, it shows the players that you have their backs and aren't going to let the refs get away with bad calls and if done right it will also give the refs something to keep an eye on for the rest of the game.

 

[Cardiac]

I agree. And the Cards let the officiating issues get to them WAY too much and it became a major distraction. You could tell they were all pissed off and Arians was hot the whole game.

I totally get it, it was super frustrating, but they have to learn to forget about that. There is literally nothing you can do or say once a call has been made to make them change their minds. When has any ref ever said; Hmm, those are some excellent points coach. In light of your superb case you have presented, I have decided to pick up that flag.

So I'm with you. I'm not ready to say lack of heart, but this team DEFINITELY needs to grow up. Especially the defense. That last score was nothing more than a complete and total lapse in focus, effort and composure. That cant happen again. Bad calls happen, the game doesn't stop so you can have your temper tantrum. That attitude starts at the top and I love Arians fire, at one point last week during the game I was cheering him on when he was yelling at the stupid ref. "TELL HIM BA!!!!" but in reality, cooler heads have to prevail.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=3BE9FDBE46519DE2DF9D3BE9FDBE46519DE2DF9D

 

[Chaz]

Just as an aside, I don't remember the Cardinals ever winning a game where they stayed in the east instead of coming home after a game. I think the extra 3 or 4 hours gained in travel time is not worth the break in routine that is lost not being at home in familiar surroundings during the week.

In 2013 they stayed in FL after the Saints game then beat the Bucs.

 

[JCSunsfan]

In 2013 they stayed in FL after the Saints game then beat the Bucs.

noted

 

[Bert]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=3BE9FDBE46519DE2DF9D3BE9FDBE46519DE2DF9D

Nailed it right on the head. That is exactly how it should be done.

The coach goes and tells the official how he feels and whatever else he needs to say, but then he turns around and tells his guys to quit complaining and play the game.

I think its a lesson these guys can learn right now.

 

[NJCardFan]

In 2013 they stayed in FL after the Saints game then beat the Bucs.

The Saints game didn't turn out too well though.

 

[Chaz]

The Saints game didn't turn out too well though.

The Bucs game wasn't great either but they won.

I don't think the stay bothered this team much. The Wiz team got demolished by the Jets after a week away but that team had issues with focus to begin with.

 

[NJCardFan]

The Bucs game wasn't great either but they won.

I don't think the stay bothered this team much. The Wiz team got demolished by the Jets after a week away but that team had issues with focus to begin with.

Don't remind me. I went to that game. Drove over 2 hours in a downpour and horrible traffic to the see Cards, who had a chance to take control early, fumble away their first red zone chance then on their 2nd after picking off Favre, got a FG blocked and it was all down hill from there. I never leave a game early but after falling behind 34-0 at the half then after cutting their lead to 34-21, Favre threw for his 4th TD to go up 41-21, I left so I missed Q getting nearly beheaded in the endzone late in the game which was an incredibly dumb play call considering a TD there only makes the game closer because at that point we didn't stand a chance to come back(IIRC there was only something like 30 seconds left and we were down by 21).

 

[Bert]

Don't remind me. I went to that game. Drove over 2 hours in a downpour and horrible traffic to the see Cards, who had a chance to take control early, fumble away their first red zone chance then on their 2nd after picking off Favre, got a FG blocked and it was all down hill from there. I never leave a game early but after falling behind 34-0 at the half then after cutting their lead to 34-21, Favre threw for his 4th TD to go up 41-21, I left so I missed Q getting nearly beheaded in the endzone late in the game which was an incredibly dumb play call considering a TD there only makes the game closer because at that point we didn't stand a chance to come back(IIRC there was only something like 30 seconds left and we were down by 21).

Remember even after the Q play we threw it downfield a couple more times and Fitz almost got creamed too!

So dumb.

 

[NJCardFan]

Remember even after the Q play we threw it downfield a couple more times and Fitz almost got creamed too!

So dumb.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Jets weren't flagged on that play even though the DB clearly led with his helmet.