The meltdown against Seattle, my take.

[Catfish]

Strangely enough, I am not bitter, or angry, or disgusted, or even greatly disappointed with our loss to Seattle on Sunday. There are several reasons for this.

For one, I don't know if you noticed it, but this was a complete 'team loss'. It was done by everyone 'together', just like they have done everything else this year. We could not run the ball, or stop the run. We could not pass the ball well or catch it with regularity. We could not block well, or tackle either. Our quarterbacks probably made more poor decisions in this game than in all the other fifteen combined. We could not kick the ball with any accuracy, nor could we contain a kick or punt returner. We melted down completely across the board, and the players did it 'together' just like they have done all year long.

I feel that, while it is never good to lose, that these guys were simply to a point where, (after constantly being honed to a razor edge in game after game after game in securing their place for the playoffs), they just sort of ran out of energy to maintain their emotional poise and edge. They all, just sort of ran out of gas mentally and emotionally at the same time. Thankfully this was a game that, (other than being against a bitter division rival), was totally meaningless in its effect on the outcome of the season.

I am sure that this team will face its pundits with one voice as well. While I am sure that they are not proud of their combined effort, they will make no excuses for this loss either. They played without emotion, and they played poorly. They know it, and I hope that they accept it for what it was. Simply running on empty emotionally. They are still the NFC West Champions, and they are still the #2 seed in the playoffs. Now they have extra time in which to hone that razor edge that they played with until they secured their place in the playoffs. I am betting that they will do that 'together' too.

 

[pemory09]

Strangely enough, I am not bitter, or angry, or disgusted, or even greatly disappointed with our loss to Seattle on Sunday. There are several reasons for this.

For one, I don't know if you noticed it, but this was a complete 'team loss'. It was done by everyone 'together', just like they have done everything else this year. We could not run the ball, or stop the run. We could not pass the ball well or catch it with regularity. We could not block well, or tackle either. Our quarterbacks probably made more poor decisions in this game than in all the other fifteen combined. We could not kick the ball with any accuracy, nor could we contain a kick or punt returner. We melted down completely across the board, and the players did it 'together' just like they have done all year long.

I feel that, while it is never good to lose, that these guys were simply to a point where, (after constantly being honed to a razor edge in game after game after game in securing their place for the playoffs), they just sort of ran out of energy to maintain their emotional poise and edge. They all, just sort of ran out of gas mentally and emotionally at the same time. Thankfully this was a game that, (other than being against a bitter division rival), was totally meaningless in its effect on the outcome of the season.

I am sure that this team will face its pundits with one voice as well. While I am sure that they are not proud of their combined effort, they will make no excuses for this loss either. They played without emotion, and they played poorly. They know it, and I hope that they accept it for what it was. Simply running on empty emotionally. They are still the NFC West Champions, and they are still the #2 seed in the playoffs. Now they have extra time in which to hone that razor edge that they played with until they secured their place in the playoffs. I am betting that they will do that 'together' too.

Awesome post Catfish!

 

[AZCrazy]

All completely true. Let's hope they have the wherewithal to be able to turn their emotions on and off at will, and come back in two weeks with a fresh anger.

 

[Shaggy]

All completely true. Let's hope they have the wherewithal to be able to turn their emotions on and off at will, and come back in two weeks with a fresh anger.

That's what I hope and this non-emotion they had doesn't continue into the playoffs.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

 

[JCSunsfan]

C'mon guys. It was in their best interest to lose this game. Carolina was going to beat TB and that was obvious, if not before the game, in the second quarter and you know they were following along the sidelines.

But looking at the seedings, I am not sure if the Cardinals even WANTED the #1 seed. They set their post season up perfectly. No Seattle or Carolina until the NFC Championship game.

If the Superbowl is the goal, the goal of this game was to lose without injuries.

 

[Dude]

That's what I hope and this non-emotion they had doesn't continue into the playoffs.

Why would it?

It's a part of sports at all ages. Seattle just got beat by the Rams. The Cardinals just put a beat down on Green Bay for the two seed. Seattle wanted this game the Cardinals were flat. Now we are talking about the playoffs. It's all about three games and they will be ready.

 

[Shane]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

I actually agree and even worse considering the opponent... The venom his team should have for Seattle wasn't there and that's concerning.

 

[JCSunsfan]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

Baloney. A championship team keeps the big picture in mind. This game had less meaning than a preseason game. It was the Cards advantage to lose. The last thing they want to do is get key players injured trying to make it look close.

 

[Shane]

Baloney. A championship team keeps the big picture in mind. This game had less meaning than a preseason game. It was the Cards advantage to lose. The last thing they want to do is get key players injured trying to make it look close.

Ummmm key players still played a majority of the game.... So there goes that theory... Best way to get hurt on a football field?? Play half assed and not give it your all.

 

[Dude]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

Actually they can and do.

 

[Big D]

Somehow I don't get the feeling that had the score been reversed too many here would be proclaiming it was a meaningless game.

I think a lot of fans are being very dismissive and forgetting the fact that the team has shown the tendency throughout the year to have these lapses where they lose focus for whatever reason. I really hope yesterday was the last we see of it, but I'd be lying if I said I think it is.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Somehow I don't get the feeling that had the score been reversed too many here would be proclaiming it was a meaningless game.

this.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm not panicking but not ambivalent about it either.

It's blatantly obvious we came out flat while they came out with something to prove. That says something about both teams however I know we won't play that way if we meet again in a few weeks.

 

[oaken1]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

ever hear of the Chicago Bulls?

barely made the playoffs...but peat...repeat,...threepeat... how many peats was it??

their players were even known to say it out right in interviews...regular season don't mean squat,...just make the playoffs,...that is where you have to win..............and they did.

 

[clif]

A championship team never loses their edge. This was a major disappointment for me...it not the loss, it's how they lost.

I actually agree and even worse considering the opponent... The venom his team should have for Seattle wasn't there and that's concerning.

+1

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[LoyaltyisaCurse]

And, so it begins...

...

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

ever hear of the Chicago Bulls?

barely made the playoffs...but peat...repeat,...threepeat... how many peats was it??

their players were even known to say it out right in interviews...regular season don't mean squat,...just make the playoffs,...that is where you have to win..............and they did.

The Cardinals are NOT the Chicago Bulls...

 

[82CardsGrad]

Somehow I don't get the feeling that had the score been reversed too many here would be proclaiming it was a meaningless game.

I think a lot of fans are being very dismissive and forgetting the fact that the team has shown the tendency throughout the year to have these lapses where they lose focus for whatever reason. I really hope yesterday was the last we see of it, but I'd be lying if I said I think it is.

Good points D. However, I would've hoped that this game being against Seattle, a team that has now beaten us 3 straight times in our house, would've ensured the game was a bit more competitive...
Surprising to hear that the team had a full week of crappy practices leading up to the game. Clearly, they were already checked out before the game ever started.
I also believe coaching and play-calling were factors as well... While BA was in full meltdown mode on the sidelines virtually the entire first half (I can't believe the refs never flagged him for his antics), the play calling was not what we had seen the prior 15 games. Which leads to believe that BA made the decision to play it close to the vest and not show Seattle anymore than what is already on tape.
Anyway... my hope is that we face these turds again in the NFC Championship. The road to Santa Clara would be so much sweeter if it includes a beat-down of the team and Head Coach I despise more than any other, without a close second!!!!

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

ever hear of the Chicago Bulls?

barely made the playoffs...but peat...repeat,...threepeat... how many peats was it??

their players were even known to say it out right in interviews...regular season don't mean squat,...just make the playoffs,...that is where you have to win..............and they did.

I'm very confused by this comment. When did the Bulls "barely" make the playoffs during their championship runs? All 6 seasons that they won the Title they were either #1 or #2 seed and won at least 61 games in 5 of those 6 seasons as well.

 

[Darkside]

The Cardinals are NOT the Chicago Bulls...

Nor do we have 82 regular season games to practice turning it on and off. Ridiculous.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Nor do we have 82 regular season games to practice turning it on and off. Ridiculous.

Yep...

 

[clif]

I'm very confused by this comment. When did the Bulls "barely" make the playoffs during their championship runs? All 6 seasons that they won the Title they were either #1 or #2 seed and won at least 61 games in 5 of those 6 seasons as well.

Nor do we have 82 regular season games to practice turning it on and off. Ridiculous.

Yep...

I agree with all this.

I thought I was going to need to take a break from this site due to all the smoke that was going to be blown up my tail from people telling me that this game didn't mean anything. It's nice to know that others feel the way I do. Winning the game was a nice to have... playing better should have been more important to the players. No I don't think it is a season killer by any stretch, but its a bit of a slap in the face to the fans. Call me what you want.

 

[jmt]

No Seattle or Carolina until the NFC Championship game.

That's not true - we could play Seattle the 16th if they and GB win next week.

 

[Cheesebeef]

That's not true - we could play Seattle the 16th if they and GB win next week.

nope. Seattle is the 6 seed and GB is the 5, which means if both teams win, the lowest seed (Seattle @ 6) goes to Carolina and GB plays here.