Ron Wolfley believes Cardinals’ offense spoiled another strong outing from defense in Eagles loss
Oct 10, 2022, 8:00 PM
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals rallied late but ultimately were unable to hand the Philadelphia Eagles their first defeat of the season, losing 20-17 in Glendale on Sunday.
It was a performance that Cardinals radio analyst and sports talk host Ron Wolfley said could have been different if the offense performed at a higher level.
“The offense underperformed and the defense overdelivered,” Wolfley told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Monday.
Arizona, now 2-3, didn’t score in the first quarter for a fifth consecutive game.
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A fourth-quarter touchdown run from Eno Benjamin tied the game at 17, but it wasn’t enough points for Wolfley against a top-rated offense led by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts considering the defensive effort.
The Cardinals managed just 12 points two weeks earlier against the defending Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams at home, spoiling another stellar defensive effort.
“This is so confounding,” Wolfley said. “Coming into this season, there was no doubt in my mind … the strength of the Arizona Cardinals football team was going to be their offense because of all the names.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray was leading the Cardinals down the field in the final two minutes looking to tie or win, but miscommunication doomed the drive.
Murray thought he ran for a first down, but ended up sliding a yard short of the marker and spiked the ball on third down. The Cardinals had to settle for a 43-yard field goal, which was missed.
“Listen, I’ve lost a game for my team myself. I know what that’s like,” Wolfley said. “It stinks and they’re never in that situation without Kyler Murray, but Kyler would tell you himself … he can’t make that mistake.”
The Cardinals, hit by the injury bug again versus the Eagles, won’t have much time to stew over the loss.
They play on the road Sunday against division rivals Seattle Seahawks before returning home Thursday for a primetime game against the New Orleans Saints.
“Hopefully, they’re going to get some guys healthy,” Wolfley said. “They’ve got one more game here before DeAndre Hopkins comes back.
“Hopefully, they’ll get it together here and turn the ship around.”
Listen to every Arizona Cardinals game on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
