Miscues keep Cardinals from getting rhythm in rough loss to Packers

The Arizona Cardinals had a rough day against the Packers in Green Bay, where several injuries, an uncharacteristic amount of penalties and a few key fumbles were the difference in a 34-13 loss on Sunday.

Miscues started early, as Arizona went three-and-out on its first possession after a miscommunication between quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on third and nine. Murray took the blame postgame for the slip-up.

Harrison would be ruled out with a concussion later in the first half, finishing with no receptions across two targets.

After coming into the game as the least penalized team in the NFL, Arizona had a season high of penalties before the half was over, including two offsides on the first two defensive possessions.

A third offsides came when Packers quarterback Jordan Love was hard-counting before the end of the first quarter. Arizona finished with 13 accepted penalties for 100 yards.

In the first half when rain was a factor, James Conner slipped on a screen that could’ve gone for a big gain before the punt coverage team slipped when it could’ve pinned the Packers deep in their own territory.

After the Cardinals put together a string of scores on three straight drives, the next three drives ended with fumbles. James Conner and Greg Dortch each coughed one up before Murray and Trey Benson mishandled a handoff in the backfield.

The Packers’ air attack was backbreaking for the Cardinals, as Love found five different Green Bay receivers for at least 25 receiving yards. Only three Cardinals did so. A 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson in the second quarter gave Green Bay its biggest scoring play and quickest drive of the day.

Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting had a momentum-shifting interception late in the first half but was later ruled out with a neck injury.

Arizona has a longer week before the next game, with the Los Angeles Chargers coming into State Farm Stadium next week for Monday Night Football.