ARIZONA CARDINALS

Rosen’s performance provides rare bright spot for Cardinals

Sep 30, 2018, 5:58 PM | Updated: 8:02 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to throw against the Seattle Seahawks during the...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to throw against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals are in a class by themselves.

Of course, being the only winless team in the NFL through a quarter of a season isn’t the class they want to be in, but it is their reality.

Due to myriad reasons, this season is probably a lost cause for the Cardinals. There aren’t many examples of teams that dig out of an 0-4 hole to make it to the playoffs, let alone turn a season into something positive.

But where the Cardinals are different in that they have something they haven’t had in a long time — a young quarterback to build hope around.

Rookie Josh Rosen made his first NFL start Sunday at State Farm Stadium, and while the stats (15-of-27 for 180 yards and a touchdown) weren’t sexy, the 21-year-old looked like a wily veteran at times, showing patience in the pocket and calmness in going through his progressions.

“I thought he played well,” head coach Steve Wilks said after a tough 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. “I thought he gave us an opportunity and a chance to win at the end. Great job with the operations there in the two-minute situation.”

Rosen came to Arizona with the reputation of being unflappable, and that was on display as well.

Cardinals receivers were hit by a case of the drops, including notable ones from Christian Kirk and J.J. Nelson. Even Larry Fitzgerald had a couple.

“I didn’t do him any justice by making plays for him, but I think he stuck in there and made some wonderful plays, some great throws,” Fitzgerald said. “He really did a great job of digesting what they were giving us defensively and I’m really happy about the way he performed.”

Rosen, despite the rash of drops that probably cost him over 100 passing yards and several completion percentage points, stayed positive with his receivers.

“Absolutely, I mean the other alternative is all bad, so you might as well keep pushing on,” he said. “Trying to encourage everyone, is something bad happens, let’s get better, and is something happens good, let’s keep going.”

In fact, Rosen was shown by FOX television cameras smiling on his way off the field in tough moments.

“When I’m not smiling, you definitely should be worried,” he added.

The Cardinals should be worried. They’ve lost in two blowouts and let two very winnable games slip through their fingers. They’ve already played three of their eight home games at the usually friendly confines of State Farm Stadium.

But, at least for one week, their checklist of things to freak out about won’t include the quarterback position.

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Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) celebrate his game-winning field goal with punter Michael Dickson (4) as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (92) watches during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) walks away after missing a field goal as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Neiko Thorpe (23) and Arizona Cardinals punter Andy Lee (2) watch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chad Williams (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Antoine Bethea (41) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) leaps over Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets past Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jake Martin (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) eludes Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) reacts to missing a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to throw against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chad Williams (10) makes the catch as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Barkevious Mingo (51) and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with Patrick Peterson prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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