By Dan Arkush
Sept. 22, 2008

It was a combination of things that led to the Cardinals’ first loss of the season Sunday in Washington, which kept the team from starting the season 3-0 for the first time since 1974.

The offense seemed to lose a lot of its previous zip in the 24-17 defeat, which snapped a string of 10 straight 20-point-plus efforts dating back to last season. The Cardinals were forced to settle for a field goal after having the ball 1st-and-goal at the Redskins’ 10 at one point. In addition, a likely TD pass to TE Ben Patrick on the team’s first possession of the day was negated by a delay-of-game penalty, and the team’s usually effective hurry-up offense failed to get the job done in the fourth quarter, when it counted most.

Meanwhile, the defense failed to force a turnover — while the Redskins scored points off both of the Cardinals’ turnovers — and it was unable to stop Washington’s run game as the game wore on, allowing the Redskins 216 yards in the second half.

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s decision-making was also open to question. Normally quite the riverboat gambler, he opted to punt in a 4th-and-4 situation from the Cardinals’ 48 with 2:39 remaining. The Redskins proceeded to run out the clock, capping off what turned out to be a very frustrating afternoon for the Redbirds.

The PFW spin

The focus now switches to another decision by Whisenhunt that could also be open to question — opting to keep his team in the Washington, D.C., area all week in advance of the team’s next game Sunday at the Meadowlands against the Jets. In theory, it makes a lot of sense, considering that the Jets will be coming off a short workweek after playing in San Diego Monday night and figure to be a bit tuckered out, while the Cardinals have an opportunity to get some extra rest. But the decision wasn’t entirely popular, as QB Kurt Warner, among others, voiced his displeasure over having to be away from his family for such an extended period of time.

What the team really needs more than anything are more big plays from others besides WRs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and tighter play from a defense that had trouble handling a plethora of Redskins screen passes and misdirection runs, which had defenders coming into and out of their gaps.

In addition, the team must avoid ill-timed penalties, which was a major problem last season. The play was particularly sloppy on special teams against the Redskins.

One move the Cardinals might consider making is to increase rookie RB Tim Hightower’s workload. While featured back Edgerrin James has run the ball effectively (18-for-93 vs. Skins), he just doesn’t have the same kind of big-play ability that Hightower appears to possess.  

Above all else, the team must avoid panicking. It still has a chance to finish the first month of the season with a 3-1 record for the first time since 1985. Considering three of their first four games are away from home, that would be a pretty impressive feat.

Our fantasy take

Even though they were a bit off against the Skins, continue playing fantasy heavyweights Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin regardless of the opponent. Both Fitzgerald and Boldin still managed TD catches against the Redskins, and between them, they already have six scores on the season.