Rosen looks strong in 4th quarter but Cardinals fall on last second field goal

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The numbers didn’t look pretty. If not for at least four receivers dropping passes, Josh Rosen’s statistics Sunday in his first NFL start might’ve looked better.

He closed a 20-17 loss having completed 15-of-27 passes for 180 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

Had he gotten a little more help across the board, the Arizona Cardinals would’ve avoided a last-second loss to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.

Sebastian Janikowski hit a 52-yard field goal in the closing seconds, making up for misses of 38 and 52 yards earlier in the game.

Late in the game, the Cardinals’ rookie quarterback finally started clicking, leading his team back from a 17-10 deficit.

“Bright spot, Josh Rosen,” coach Steve Wilks said after the game. “I thought he played well. Thought he gave us an opportunity and a chance to win at the end.”

Arizona opened up the playbook midway through the fourth quarter. Rosen hit tight end Ricky Seals-Jones streaking down the right side of the field for a 31-yard gain and two plays later found running back David Johnson on a screen pass for 30 more yards. The rookie then threw a strike to Chad Williams for a sliding grab between two defenders with 8:59 to play in the game. That strike was the first touchdown pass of his career.

Rosen led a 10-play, 41-yard drive to the Seahawks’ 27-yard line to set kicker Phil Dawson up for a 45-yard kick that was missed with less than two minutes left, leaving enough time for Seattle to go 31 yards in seven plays to set up Janikowski’s game-winner.

“[Josh did a] great job with the operations there with the two-minute situation,” Wilks said. “Making great throws, connecting with the receivers as well as the tight ends. And again, we have to execute. Can’t drop passes, can’t drop field goals.”

The Cardinals fall to 0-4 on the season.

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