By the numbers: Cardinals’ defense heading into bye week

The Arizona Cardinals reached the bye week after three heartbreaking losses in a row. Fans could probably use the break to buy new TVs that don’t have the remote sticking out of them.

The Cards are 3-7-1, a poor record for a team that has kept many games close this year, especially recently.

The offense has had its fair share of cracks, but it has moved the ball well behind a strong rookie performance from quarterback Kyler Murray.

Defensively, Arizona is a disaster.

The Cardinals have allowed the fourth-most points-per-game in the NFL this year at 28.8.

Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Arizona defense at the bye week:

50

The Cardinals have allowed 50 pass plays to break for 20 yards or more. That is the most in the NFL.

Defending the pass has been a struggle all year. They allow the most passing yards-per-game in the league.

Losing Patrick Peterson for six games due to suspension hurt a lot, but they are still struggling with him back in the mix.

Cornerback Robert Alford’s absence due to a leg injury has not helped the situation.

29

Arizona has allowed 29 touchdown passes in 11 games. It allowed 21 in all of 2018.

The Cardinals gave up the most passing touchdowns in the NFL through 11 weeks and have a four-score buffer ahead of second-place Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers would have to get torched by Atlanta during Arizona’s bye in order to take over the top spot.

12.5

A positive is that linebacker Chandler Jones leads the league with 12.5 sacks. He also has the most forced fumbles in the NFL with five.

Despite the mess that is around him on defense, he is a contender for defensive player of the year.

Chandler Jones now has 12.5 sacks in 2019, the highest total in #CardsHistory through the first 11 games of a season.

He has also tied Simeon Rice (53.5) for third place on the franchise all-time sacks list. pic.twitter.com/d9DBkZJI9h

— Arizona Cardinals ⋈ (@AZCardinals) November 17, 2019

9.7

This one is brutal. The Cardinals give up the most fourth-quarter points in the NFL at 9.7 per game.

This has killed them over the past two games. The 49ers scored 19 points in the final quarter on Sunday (seven from a turnover) and the Bucs rallied for 10 to beat Arizona two weeks ago.

46%

Arizona has done well at forcing a lot of third downs. It has put opponents into those situations more than any other team in the NFL besides the New York Jets.

But, opponents are converting on 46% of third downs. Only Washington has a worse percentage.

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