ARIZONA CARDINALS

With losses piling up, Cardinals try to stay accountable

Dec 8, 2019, 8:02 PM | Updated: Dec 9, 2019, 3:57 pm

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush ...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — There could be finger-pointing leading to tail-spinning.

Maybe the Arizona Cardinals, amid their six-game losing streak, begin turning to a youth movement to find out what they’ve really got.

As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, none of that is the case.

Not after a 34-7 bomb of a performance against the Los Angeles Rams last week or a 23-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.

“We played hard, had a chance to win it at the end,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “I thought the fight was much better than last week.”

Kingsbury said it Friday: He is not looking toward playing guys to find out if they can be future pieces. He is all-in on winning the next game. The good news, if there was any coming out of the Cardinals’ sixth-straight loss, is that across the locker room, players were being accountable.

The bad news is that, well, a lot of people have a legitimate claim to be blamed.

“That was as much of a team loss as I’ve been a part of, all three phases,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “When one side of the ball isn’t playing as well, the defense or whatever has to be able to pick up the slack.

“That’s what good teams do. That’s what we’re trying to get to.”

It was a bad day for a lot of players. The special teams unit gave up an 85-yard punt return with three minutes left in the first quarter, spotting the Steelers a 10-0 lead.

Defensively, it was a bad night for rookie cornerback Byron Murphy, who had two pass interference penalties on Pittsburgh’s two scoring drives of the second half.

“I just have to play better defense,” he said. “I just have to finish. It starts at the line of scrimmage and (to) play better technique.”

Then there’s Arizona rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, who said the Cardinals would have won “if I don’t throw two interceptions.”

Murray completed 20 of 30 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns and three picks, the last of which came on a desperate heave on Arizona’s final possession.

Running back Kenyan Drake has only been with Arizona for five games since a midseason trade, but he tried to take the blame away from his rookie quarterback to own it himself.

“I feel like if I’m not part of the solution, then I’m part of the problem,” Drake said.

“He’s a very mature person and player for saying that, but there were plenty of opportunities in the game besides those moments for us to go out there and try to get a win.”

The guy who’s been with the Cardinals the longest, Larry Fitzgerald, has been through times like this before. He said Arizona must develop a “bunker mentality” to get itself out of a losing skid.

“You have to stay engaged and focused on the things that you can control individually,” Fitzgerald said. “If everyone is doing that collectively, you’ll be able to dig your way out of the rut that we’re in.”

Will that come next week at home against the Cleveland Browns? Will it be pushed to road contests against potential playoff teams in Los Angeles or Seattle after that?

Only three games are left, and the pressure for visible improvement is mounting. A visibly frustrated Hicks probably best verbalized the blending of that frustration with the belief that better days lie ahead.

“Potential sucks. Potential isn’t anything,” he said. “We’ve got the guys in the locker room to win a lot of games.”

Array
Presented By
Western Governors University

Presented By
Western Governors University
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) breaks up a pass to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) leaves the field after a game-ending interception by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, left, greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, left, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) makes a game-ending interception intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws an interception in the end zone to Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry (4) is hit by Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (42) on a fake punt attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals took over on downs. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers with fans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry (4) is hit by Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (42) on a fake punt attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals took over on downs. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates his interception in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) blocks Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) pulls in a touchdown catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) celebrates his interception against the Arizona Cardinals with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches the clock during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) forces Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) battles Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Matt Feiler during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) runs a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo (56) runs a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray leaves the field after a a failed third down against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (28) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) knocks the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels on the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) runs after the catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer prior to the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) watches his field goal split the uprights during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) runs in an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) knocks the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels on the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kerrith Whyte (40) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Jalen Thompson (34)during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne (31) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree, right, prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to the crowd prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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