ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals win over Colts buys time to fix widespread issues

Sep 17, 2017, 3:14 PM | Updated: 6:21 pm
Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinal...
Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson, center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Don’t go mistaking what you watched on Sunday for salvation. The Arizona Cardinals raised far too many concerns in a 16-13 overtime victory over the Colts in Indianapolis to feel good about the team’s direction.

All this win did was buy the Cardinals more time to fix what is ailing them. A lot is ailing them.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to weather the storm,” safety Tyrann Mathieu told Arizona Sports’ Paul Calvisi after his interception in overtime set up Phil Dawson’s game-winning, 30-yard field goal. “I don’t think any of us played well for the first three quarters.”

He’s right.

Phil Dawson missed his second field goal attempt in six official tries this season, and his miss at the end of regulation could have cost the Cardinals this game and put their season on thin ice.

The banged up offensive line had protection issues and blocking issues again, albeit without starting left tackle D.J. Humphries and starting left guard Mike Iupati.

The running game produced just 83 yards without running back David Johnson and the passing game was missing in action for three quarters without John Brown and Jermaine Gresham.

That matters, but it should not have mattered so much against a team that lost 46-9 to the lowly Los Angeles Rams last week. It should not have required last-second heroics against quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who has been with the Colts for two weeks after Indy acquired him from the Patriots for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.

At halftime, Calvisi asked Cardinals coach Bruce Arians why the offense wasn’t clicking.

Arians offered a one-word answer: “quarterback.”

It wasn’t entirely fair given the struggles of the protection in front of him, but Carson Palmer led the Cardinals to just three points through three quarters, he threw his fourth interception of the season (and nearly threw two more) at the Indianapolis 3-yard line, and he did not find the end zone until 7:38 remained in the fourth quarter against a pass defense that Jared Goff shredded last week for 306 yards and seven plays of 20-plus yards.

Palmer completed 19 of 36 passes.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot offensively,” Arians said.

The offense “is really not a concern,” Palmer said afterward. “We just are going to get back to work. Obviously we’d like more production, more touchdowns. But I’m not down or concerned.”

It’s hard to judge a defensive effort when the opponent features an inexperienced quarterback, but at least the defense gave the Cardinals a chance to win on the road by holding the Colts offense in check for most of the game. They’ll get a much stiffer test on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 25 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

“We’ve just got to continue to fight, continue to weather the storm and continue to build on all the plays that we do make during games,” Mathieu said.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano before an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck smiles as he runs off the field with his teammates before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett celebrates after a five-yard touchdown run by running back Frank Gore during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett celebrates after a five-yard touchdown run by running back Frank Gore during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett runs out of the tackle of Arizona Cardinals' Markus Golden during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts' Frank Gore (23) goes in for a five-yard touchdown run while being tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Antoine Bethea during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Kamar Aiken (17) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' John Simon celebrates after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Robert Turbin (33) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Justin Bethel (28) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts' John Simon (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Frank Gore (23) runs for a five-yard touchdown run against Arizona Cardinals' Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) tries to make a catch while being defended by Indianapolis Colts' Rashaan Melvin during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Quincy Wilson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Nate Hairston (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks at a replay during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) reacts with Andy Lee after booting a 27-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson, center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14), center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. At left is Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson (31). (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Rashaan Melvin (30) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Jaron Brown (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) boots a 29-yard field goal out of the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez during the second half of an NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws while being pressured by Indianapolis Colts' Jabaal Sheard (93) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. Sheard was called for roughing the passer on the play. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Hassan Ridgeway celebrates after a sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) smiles after a 45-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) celebrates with Ifeanyi Momah after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) kicks a 40-yard field goal out of the hold of Andy Lee during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) is chased by Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) celebrates after kicking a game winning 30-yard field in overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) kicks a game winning 30-yard field goal out of the hold of Andy Lee (2) in overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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