DAN BICKLEY

Arizona Cardinals hit rock bottom in lopsided loss to Denver

Oct 18, 2018, 9:41 PM | Updated: Oct 19, 2018, 10:32 am

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) sits on the bench during the second half of an N...

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won 45-10. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Hello, world. We opened the roof and pulled back the curtains for your viewing pleasure. Welcome to our nightmare.

The Cardinals are who we thought they were. They are 1-6 with cement shoes. Their stadium was half empty for Thursday Night Football, with the other half occupied by Broncos fans. You see less orange at Syracuse basketball games.

Anger is turning to apathy. Heads must roll.

“Definitely embarrassing, the effort tonight,” head coach Steve Wilks said. “Our fans deserve more than that. We have to come out and perform better than that.”

Team President Michael Bidwill is surely furious. He has risen to prominence in the NFL, changing the culture and perception of a laughingstock organization. No chance he tolerates this kind of embarrassment on national television.

The Broncos didn’t just beat up the home team. They clowned the Cardinals. Von Miller predicted Denver would kick Arizona’s (expletive), and instead of fighting back, the Cardinals went out and purchased whoopee cushions for their post-game commute.

The Broncos scored a defensive touchdown 59 seconds into the game. The Cardinals were forced to call a timeout on the second play from scrimmage due to alignment issues … on a scripted play.  Emmanuel Sanders threw a touchdown pass on a trick play and later somersaulted into the end zone following his 64-yard touchdown reception.

Finally, when the Cardinals needed to burn a second timeout later in the first half, Broncos players celebrated on the field, whipping their faithful fans into a frenzy. This performance was beyond disgusting. It was a time capsule back into the Dark Ages.

At intermission, the Cardinals trailed 35-3, facing the largest halftime deficit at home in team history. Chew on that for a moment. And try not to hurl.

“You guys are going to ask me about changes,” Wilks said. “That’s premature to talk about any changes right now. Everybody is going to be evaluated across the board. And as I said before, we’ve got to find ways to get this thing moving in the right direction. Not acceptable and our fans deserve better, as I said before.”

The offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, is the obvious scapegoat. The Broncos had allowed two consecutive teams to rush for over 200 yards, setting the stage for a get-right game from David Johnson.  That didn’t happen. But it’s also hard to run the ball when trailing by over four touchdowns.

Byron Leftwich is the obvious successor and his promotion should come down on Friday. He’s considered a rising star in the profession and would surely bring the offense out of the 1970s.  But is it enough?

Wilks is still saying the same things with a stiff upper lip. He’s disappointed about this. He needs to fix that. His words sound no different than they did after a Week 1 loss to the Redskins and absolutely nothing has changed. Along the way, he’s lost all belief among football fans in the Valley. Why would he have any remaining credibility in the locker room?

The Cardinals’ previous two head coaches won 94 games combined. Their current head coach might not win a second. Soon, we’ll get an idea of what Bidwill thinks about the latest debacle, and if he still believes in the all-business monologue of Wilks, a defensive-minded head coach who has only made the defense worse. And why was Josh Rosen still in the game, absorbing punishment late in the second half?

Wilks said that was a mistake, too.

If Bidwill still has deep trust in his general manager, he will also want to know how three of Steve Keim’s prized draft picks – Robert Nkemdiche, Deone Bucannon and Haason Reddick – have had a hard time finding a place in Wilks’ defense. And if Keim felt compelled to fire Whisenhunt after a 58-0 loss to Seattle in 2012, how will he reconcile a regime that has been outscored 184-92 in the first seven weeks of the season?

Bruce Arians’ worst team only had a -66 point differential. Wilks is already at -92.

If Robert Sarver owned the Cardinals, he might promote Leftwich all the way to head coach. Or maybe he’d beg Arians to come out of retirement and extinguish this dumpster fire. Bidwill isn’t prone to rash behavior, and odds are, McCoy is the only one to lose his job, assuming his place in the Arizona Hall of Shame.

He’ll have plenty of company.

In 2000, the Cardinals lost 48-7 to the Cowboys. An outraged executive walked into Vince Tobin’s press conference and flipped him the bird. The head coach didn’t see the gesture, but Dave McGinnis brought a suit to work the next day, just in case. Smart man.

Meanwhile, the team famously fired Jim Hanifan in 1985 by changing the locks on his office door at halftime of a home game against the Redskins.

But this?

This is rock bottom for the new era Cardinals. They’ve been digging a hole for seven weeks. And now it looks like the Grand Canyon, big enough to bury an entire football team.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@bonneville.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets the throw off as Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) breaks free for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos Phillip Lindsay (30) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with cornerback Isaac Yiado, left, and defensive back Will Parks (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) forces Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) to fumble during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Miller recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Jordan Moore (30) breaks free for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets the throw off as Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks talks with side judge Alex Kemp (55) at halftime of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) An Arizona Cardinals fan wears a bag on his head during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas (38) tackles Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores his 111th career touchdown, tying former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, as Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores his 111th career touchdown, tying former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, as Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph watches his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) his sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum gets the throw off as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hugs Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph prior to an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (51) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Justin Simmons during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (51) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Justin Simmons (31) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) throws for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) pulls in a touchdown pass form teammate wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) looks to pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos defensive back Jordan Moore (30) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) and linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrates his interception for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) high fives linebacker Todd Davis (51) as he scores a touchdown after an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Kerr (92) celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas (38) tackles Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Denver Broncos strong safety Darian Stewart (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

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