Dealing Cards: Cardinals look more like themselves in win over Bucs

GLENDALE, Ariz. — To the doubters, it had been more than just one game.

In truth, the last time the Arizona Cardinals looked really good was Week 16 of last season when they destroyed the Green Bay Packers. Following that game, there was an egg in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks and then a close postseason win over the Packers before getting blasted by the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game.

From there, the team had a rocky preseason and then a disappointing and surprising Week 1 home loss to the New England Patriots.

For a team that was seen as a Super Bowl favorite, at some point it would have been nice to see why.

Sunday, it happened.

The Cardinals dismantled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, forcing five turnovers while winning 40-7. While they were not perfect, they were plenty good enough. It was a reminder of what the Cardinals could be, though receiver Larry Fitzgerald said they did not need one.

“We know what we have in terms of (an) arsenal of weapons defensively, offensively, special teams,” he said. “It was all about just coming and trying to get out to a fast start, which we didn’t do today. But we were able to get it going in that second quarter and that’s really where it opened up for us.”

Along with the forced turnovers, the Cardinals finished with 416 net yards of offense, with QB Carson Palmer throwing for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Chris Johnson had 54 yards and one touchdown on the ground, while fellow back David Johnson tallied 143 yards of total offense. Touchdown receptions belonged to Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Jaron Brown.

Head coach Bruce Arians said he was disappointed in his team’s third-down conversions early and was, like Fitzgerald, disappointed in the slow start offensively and the rough first defensive drive in the second half. But overall, he said, he was very pleased with his team’s performance.

Really, no one should be surprised by it, either. The Cardinals weren’t.

“We didn’t doubt at all; this is the way we expect to play,” defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. “Tampa Bay, they’re a better team I think than people are going to give them credit for after this. But things just go your way sometimes.

“In this game of football, you’re going to have some games you’re definitely going to win and some games you’re definitely going to lose; we’re going to have to come up with big wins in close games here pretty soon, but today was one of those days where the ball bounced our way.”

Welcome to the season, Chris Johnson

Many were surprised when Chris Johnson opted to re-sign with the Cardinals over the offseason because they figured he would find a larger role somewhere else than in Arizona with David Johnson atop the depth chart.

Those within the Cardinals organization maintained that Chris Johnson would get his touches, though in Week 1 against New England he saw just one carry.

Sunday against Tampa Bay, things were different. Johnson came in for the Cardinals’ fourth drive and saw regular snaps as he ultimately finished with a team-high 16 carries and 54 yards. He also scored a touchdown.

“It didn’t go how I wanted the first week, but it’s a long season so I’ve just got to keep working hard and hopefully keep getting more put on my shoulders, the load will get bigger,” he said.

A big reason why Johnson did not see much action against the Patriots was that the Cardinals trailed most of the way and also were unable to sustain drives. That was all reversed Sunday, and Johnson went from the forgotten man to one of the key contributors. He even out-touched David Johnson in touches — Chris had 16 carries to David’s 12 totes and three catches.

Asked if the coaches had to ensure Chris Johnson that he was going to see more action Sunday, the veteran said it wasn’t that.

“Some things that probably happened last week was stuff that wasn’t supposed to happen, but this week went smooth and stuff,” he said.

For Johnson, who understands that he is sharing the backfield and believes that he and David will benefit each other, this game was a nice reminder of what he can do. During his touchdown run, his helmet got loosened, and after reaching the end zone he threw it off and motioned that he was eating.

It was Johnson’s first touchdown since Oct. 26 of last year.

“It just really felt good being there and actually playing and stuff like that,” he said. “It felt good.”

Bethel made his presence felt, too

Justin Bethel finished the game with three tackles — all on special teams — but it was his first that may have set the tone for the entire afternoon.

Punter Drew Butler got off a nice kick that hung in the air and traveled 48 yards, and upon catching the ball, Buccaneers returner Adam Humphries went one yard before being leveled by the Cardinals’ defender.

Bethel, who was criticized by Arians earlier in the week for not playing well through an injury, was fired up on the play.

“Like B.A. said, I definitely didn’t play to what I was capable last week — I missed two easy tackles, I think — but it felt good to be able to come out here,” he said. “I felt a lot better at the beginning of the game, was able to come out and make some plays. It’s always great when you can make some plays for the team.”

Bethel has been dealing with foot pain all season. He had surgery in the offseason, but aggravated the foot just before training camp and has been trying to play with the pain ever since.

He did say, however, that he felt a lot better coming into Sunday’s game than he has, and left the afternoon still feeling pretty good. The plan is to keep working hard and praying, hopeful the foot will continue to improve.

While he waits, though, it was nice to have a game where he can still make an impact..

“Definitely showing, definitely knowing that even though I’m in a little pain I can still go out and produce the way I need to,” he said.

Larry and Carson are quite the duo

Carson Palmer does a good job of finding the open receiver, though it’s fair to say he has no problem looking for No. 11.

Fitzgerald was targeted a team-high 11 times Sunday, and of those he caught six for 81 yards and a touchdown.

After last week, when Fitzgerald caught eight passes for 81 yards and two scores, it is apparent now more than ever that he and his QB are on the same page.

“When you have a quarterback that’s as talented as Carson and as accurate as Carson, you just need to get on his page, that’s all,” Fitzgerald said. “I finally got on his page. That’s really what it’s been.”

Fitzgerald noted how Palmer does not force the ball to anyone, and against Tampa Bay he connected with seven different players.

“He just does a great job of evaluating and seeing what the defense is giving us and finding an open man,” he continued. “You saw that again today. He spread it around to everybody.”

Palmer is certainly playing at a high level, just as he did last season when he earned some MVP consideration. When asked if Palmer is similar to another QB Fitzgerald caught touchdowns from, Kurt Warner, the veteran wideout said he is not a fan of doing the comparison thing.

“But in my opinion, both those guys are special players,” he said. “There’s a reason they’ve been able to play as long as they were able to play and put up the numbers they were able to put up, because they’re special players.”

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