Run-pass balance missing in Arizona Cardinals’ two losses

TEMPE, Ariz. – The numbers don’t tell the whole story—and they never do—but they do help to paint the narrative of the Arizona Cardinals, at least in the two losses suffered six weeks into the season.

The numbers are 46 and 45.

Quarterback Carson Palmer attempted 46 passes against St. Louis and 45 against Pittsburgh. The Cardinals lost both games.

In his four other outings—all wins—Palmer averaged 25.5 throws.

Over his career, Palmer has attempted 40 or more passes in 37 regular season games. He’s won just seven of those contests with three of the victories coming while wearing a Cardinals uniform.

The theory, then, is that the more times Palmer is dropping back in the pocket, the less of a chance at win.

“I wouldn’t look at it that way,” he said on Wednesday. “Our starters didn’t play an entire quarter two weeks away. I don’t think that’s a fair assessment.”

Palmer is right.

As much as coaches stress offensive balance, there are some weeks when teams will game plan to throw—or run—more depending on the opponent.

Last Sunday, the Cardinals believed they had the matchup advantage against the Steelers secondary and took to the air on seven of their first 11 plays.

Then again, that’s not too much of a surprise. Head coach Bruce Arians has always favored the vertical passing game.

But there were other reasons, according to Arians, for why the Cardinals rushed a season-low 20 times in Pittsburgh.

“Second and about 20 about three times with penalties, and then you’re not in a position to run the ball much,” he said. “We did run it on third down and got stopped. Then we ran it down in the red zone and had a negative play, but we were throwing it so well, we didn’t need to run it. It’s just those second-and-longs after penalties.”

Not being able to run the ball effectively also reared its ugly head against the Rams, especially inside the red zone. In that game, the Cardinals called five running plays near the goal line for a total of minus three yards.

The lack of success meant field goals instead of touchdowns and a hesitation to go back to the run later in the game.

“If you’re not running the ball effectively play-action doesn’t, obviously, work as well,” Palmer said. “Your defense doesn’t quite get the rest that they’re used to getting when you are running it more, but you got to do what it takes to win. I know Coach will always make sure that’s his focus.”

The Cardinals also trailed in the games against St. Louis and Pittsburgh, forcing Arians to call more pass plays.

The Cardinals struck that run-pass balance in wins over New Orleans (25 rushing attempts-32 passing attempts), Chicago (28-24), San Francisco (37-32) and Detroit (25-18); but not in losses to St. Louis (21-46) and Pittsburgh (20-45).

“Every game is tough to get over if you don’t win, but you can’t let anything fester,” Palmer said, adding he had already turned the page to this week’s opponent. “We’re completely committed to Baltimore, not worrying about anything other than Baltimore, studying anything other than Baltimore and focused solely on them right now.”

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