Cardinals' Four Turnovers Not Enough in 27-24 Defeat by Jaguars

GLENDALE – It’s challenging to lose a football game after forcing four turnovers, but the Arizona Cardinals managed just that. A standout defensive performance was overshadowed by poor offensive line protection, penalties, and significant special teams errors. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked six times in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team known for its weak pass rush.

The Jaguars exceeded their season sack average per game and effectively neutralized Arizona’s run game, which averaged 2.8 yards per carry. On drives following quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s three interceptions, the Cardinals managed only 29 total scrimmage yards and seven points.

Despite individual standout performances, such as wide receiver Michael Wilson catching 10 passes for 118 receiving yards, the offense as a whole appeared disorganized. This disarray stemmed from the offensive line failing to establish any rhythm. The loss of Jonah Williams and Will Hernandez in the 27-24 defeat to Jacksonville highlights how missing key players can disrupt an entire unit.

Defense takes the lead:

After two consecutive weeks of poor starts from the Cardinals defense, Sunday's game began similarly. A strong punt by Matt Haack placed the Jaguars at their own third-yard line, offering the defense a chance to gain confidence. However, it took just four plays for Jacksonville to prove otherwise.

A 30-yard catch by wide receiver Brenton Strange opened the door for the Jaguars' offense, with running back Travis Etienne taking over. The former first-round pick ran for a 45-yard gain, followed by a 15-yard touchdown catch to cap off a 97-yard touchdown drive.

This score seemed like an omen of how broken Arizona's defense had become. Despite allowing the touchdown, the defense used the opening drive as a wake-up call and was ready to energize the home fans on the next series.

On a third-and-six inside Jacksonville's 10-yard-line, the defensive coordinator brought a safety blitz that quarterback Lawrence couldn't read. Safety Jalen Thompson delivered a stellar hit on Lawrence, causing the ball to float into the air and into the arms of rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen for a touchdown.

The turnover set the tone for the rest of the first half, as the Cardinals allowed only 26 total yards and three points outside of the opening drive.

Arizona's offense could not match the defensive performance. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was accumulating yards but made ill-advised mistakes, including turnovers and special teams mishaps, leading to lost opportunities. On the first two drives, Brissett was sacked on second and third down, either ending the drive or putting the team in third-and-long situations.

On the first drive, Brissett didn't suffer a sack, and the Cardinals were moving down the field. The 32-year-old found his favorite target, wide receiver, to get into Jaguars territory. After a generous roughing the passer call in Arizona’s favor, running back Michael Carter brought his team to the goal line for running back Bam Knight to punch it in for a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Lawrence throws three interceptions:

Jacksonville looked motivated entering the second half, with Bhayshul Tuten exploding for a stellar 39-yard kick return. The return gave Lawrence some confidence, throwing for three straight completions for 12 yards. The pro bowler was dialed in and looked to record his fourth straight completion to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for the touchdown, but cornerback Garrett Williams snagged it out of his hands for the interception.

A stellar play by Williams that the Cardinals offense wasn't able to follow up on, resulting in a three-and-out. Another massive 43-yard punt return by Park Washington gifted the Jaguars golden field position. The return allowed Lawrence to right his wrong and find Meyers for the touchdown to retake the lead.

The game seemed to be turning ugly, with Brissett following a -4 yard opening drive with a -7 drive. Lawrence had a perfect opportunity to expand his team's margin. However, the Cardinals defense stepped up again to save the day. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither read Lawrence's eyes all the way to secure Arizona’s second interception and third takeaway.

Despite this, the offense remained anemic. Penalties and sacks continued to plague the third quarter, leading to another three-and-out for the Cardinals. At the end of the third quarter, Arizona had -19 total yards including penalties.

All the turnovers and good field position weren't enough to boost Arizona's offense. The lack of points didn't affect the defensive intensity, as it continued to bend and not break. A killer punt by Haack placed Jacksonville on its own one-yard-line. Etienne was able to create some room for his team, but Lawrence's struggles prevailed once again.

On a third down, Lawrence shifted his body to sling it towards Austin Trammell for the first down when safety Budda Baker read it all the way and intercepted the ball midair. After three tries, Baker's takeaway acted as the defibrillator to save this flatlining offense.

Brissett found wide receiver Greg Dortch on a slant route that allowed him to showcase his speed for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 21-17 in Arizona's favor.

Jacksonville head coach Liam Cohen still trusted his franchise quarterback to get his team out of this jam, which turned out to be the correct decision. Lawrence went four-of-four for 59 yards on the subsequent drive, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Washington in the back of the endzone.

The Cardinals were in a position they have been in too many times before. The offense had an opportunity to tie or win the game and had failed every single time this season. Brissett eyed to end this streak for Arizona by feeding his top target in Wilson, who broke away from his defender for a 31-yard catch to set up the game-tying field goal.

Offense can't save team in Overtime:

Arizona’s defense maintained its composure in overtime. Even after a 25-yard pass to Washington to open the frame, the defense didn’t falter and forced the field goal to keep their team’s hope alive. All the pressure shifted onto Brissett's shoulders to end the Cardinals' four-game home losing streak.

The career backup was able to pick up a third-and-five with his feet to keep the hope alive early in the drive. But, a fourth-and-four, just outside of field goal range, had Brissett looking deep to try and win it on a touchdown pass into double coverage. Wide receiver Xavier Weaver couldn’t overcome the coverage and had the ball swatted away for him, losing the game 27-24.