Arians: Interceptions not Palmer’s fault ‘whatsoever’

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer added two more interceptions to his season total in Thursday’s 34-22 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is singing a familiar tune:

The interceptions aren’t Palmer’s fault.

“Neither interception was his fault whatsoever,” Arians said Friday. “He protected the ball like he needed to, and we’ve got to make better plays.”

Arians said after Thursday’s game that he’s more concerned about Palmer’s thought process than he is the end result, adding “If it’s his decision-making, then we’ll make a change.”

But while Palmer is often an easy scapegoat for the Cardinals’ offensive woes, Arizona’s offense had been plagued by small mistakes, like receivers not breaking off a route when they should or having two receivers run routes in the same area.

Still, Palmer has struggled with decision making at times, trying to force throws when the offense is struggling or making a throw he shouldn’t under pressure.

Palmer has thrown multiple interceptions in five of Arizona’s seven games this season, something he did only twice with the Oakland Raiders in 2012. The 11-year pro out of Southern California has thrown 13 interceptions to just 8 touchdowns this season and has been sacked 20 times.

Despite Palmer’s inconsistencies and struggles, Arians said the Cardinals offensive woes are the result of a poor offensive line. Palmer was sacked seven times for -54 yards Thursday, and the Cardinals averaged just 1.7 yards per carry.

Arians said Arizona’s passing game would be facing the same issues with Tom Brady or Peyton Manning at the helm — floundering behind a porous offensive line without a running game to turn to.

“When you get hit that many times, and you stand in there … I’ve got to give him credit for standing,” Arians said.

“He’s running for his life.”

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