ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals defense shows up for 3rd straight game in road win over Seattle

Dec 22, 2019, 8:32 PM | Updated: Dec 23, 2019, 9:41 pm

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 22: Jordan Hicks #58 recovers a fumble recovery alongside Jalen Thom...

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 22: Jordan Hicks #58 recovers a fumble recovery alongside Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks said it perfectly.

“I think we’re stacking. You can tell we’re getting better,” Hicks told the Burns & Gambo Show on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station ahead of the team’s matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

Those words rung true at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, as the defense put together its third straight game of improved football.

Week 16’s win undoubtedly leads the way as the defense’s best performance to date under the new regime.

“Just the fight, the constant effort to keep going through a tough year at times,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters of the defense after the 27-13 win. “The last couple of weeks guys have been playing at a very high level and creating turnovers and have great juice.

“It’s just exciting to see those guys are that locked in. You know, Week 16, not going to make the playoffs and still playing with that type of effort and that type of enthusiasm is exciting to see.”

MVP-candidate Russell Wilson turned in one of the worst games of his career, completing just 16 of his 31 passes for 169 yards, a season-low, and a score. For Wilson, the 27-13 loss marked just the fifth time he threw one touchdown or less this season.

The defense also stepped up against Seattle’s run game, holding the Seahawks to just 91 yards and zero scores on 20 carries.

The win marks the eighth victory over the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, the most by a visiting team since it opened in 2002. The next closest? The Rams and 49ers with four apiece. Arizona is now 4-1 in their last five visits up north.

Leading the way was once again linebacker Chandler Jones.

Turning in a 4-sack effort along with two forced fumbles, six QB hits and six tackles, Jones was a force in the trenches. Safety budda Baker added a team-high nine tackles, one of which was for a loss.

“He’s been phenomenal, I think if we had a better record he’d be in that conversation for Defensive Player of the Year and should be,” Kingsbury told reporters of Jones. “He’s phenomenal, any time there’s a one-on-one there’s a good chance he’s going to get home and it’s a tough matchup for anybody.”

After allowing at least 28 points from weeks 8-13, Arizona has limited opponents to 24 points or less over its last three outings. The Cardinals turnover rate has steadily increased as well, with six turnovers in the last three games.

“Unfortunately, we’re not playing for a playoff [spot] but it gives us a sense of … we’re doing a lot of self-scouting a the end of the year,” Jones told reporters after the game. “We want the success from now to roll over into the next season and today a lot of young guys made plays, so I’m pretty sure the coaches are going to be analyzing that and getting ready for the next season for sure.”

The uptick in performance is a strong building block for the defense as a unit. If the team can put up a similar game in Week 17, the defense’s psyche will be at an all-time high heading into the offseason and Year 2 under Joseph and Co., Something many thought was not going to the case.

Array
Presented By
Western Governors University

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals defense shows up for 3rd straight game in road win over Seattle