Is there a chemistry issue with the Arizona Cardinals?
Nov 28, 2016, 9:02 AM | Updated: Nov 29, 2016, 2:15 pm
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Another week, another loss for the Arizona Cardinals.
Sunday’s 38-19 beatdown at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons was Arizona’s sixth defeat of the season, doubling their loss total from a magical 2015 campaign that ended one step short of a berth in Super Bowl 50.
People inside and outside of the organization are wondering the same thing: with so many players back from a successful squad, why are the Cardinals floundering in 2016?
Obviously, injuries have played a part. But that’s life in the NFL and a reality faced by all 32 franchises. Arizona’s struggles seemingly go deeper, possibly to team chemistry.
Do the Cardinals have a chemistry issue?
“That’s a good question,” general manager Steve Keim told Doug and Wolf Monday morning on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “In my position, when you put together a team every year and you look at it on your board, and this being the fourth season, I looked at it and thought ‘we’re potentially more talented than we have been the past three years when we’ve had success.’
“Yet, at the same time, these guys have to step up and make the plays and they have to come together as a team. I don’t think it’s any secret that we haven’t done that yet.”
The Cardinals needed a win in Atlanta to keep their ever-diminishing playoff flame flickering. They didn’t get it. Arizona is currently in 11th place in the NFC postseason standings, three games behind Seattle in the NFC West and two games behind the NFC’s second Wild Card seed, the Washington Redskins.
In other words, it’s looking beyond bleak for Bruce Arians’ team to make a third straight playoff appearance.
“What we’ve talked about over and over again, it’s the little things; the accountability, taking advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves,” Keim said.
“That’s a great question and it’s hard for me to answer. Only those 53 guys in that locker room can answer that.”
The Cardinals return home to University of Phoenix Stadium to host the Redskins Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is at 2:25 p.m. and the game can be heard on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM with pregame coverage starting at 9:00 a.m.
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