The Cardinals are losing games and losing the discipline they had built under Jonathan Gannon

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals weren’t the NFL’s most gifted group throughout the second yr of coach Jonathan Gannon’s tenure, however they had been among the many most disciplined, committing the league’s second-fewest penalties in 2024.

Their mantra was easy: Be accountable. Do not beat your self.

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Arizona completed with an 8-9 report and it felt like issues had been shifting in the suitable path. So when the Cardinals obtained an inflow of expertise throughout the offseason, the concept was that higher gamers — mixed with the group’s established tradition of self-discipline — would lead the franchise again to the playoffs for the primary time since 2021.

Clearly, issues have not gone in line with plan.

In a second straight embarrassing loss to an NFC West rival, the Cardinals fell to the 49ers 41-22 on Sunday and dedicated a franchise-high 17 penalties, breaking a group report that was set in 1936. No different NFL group has been flagged that many occasions this season.

There have been unlawful shifts, holding calls, false begins and even a flag for pointless roughness for hitting the Niners’ lengthy snapper within the head.

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It was a surprising lack of self-discipline for a group that prides itself on accountability. Nowadays, the Cardinals (3-7) aren’t simply shedding video games — they’re shedding their identification.

A defiant Gannon stated Monday that they’ll get it again rapidly.

His job safety may rely on it.

“Not a controllable for me,” Gannon stated. “I did not rent myself, I am not going to fireside myself. Severely, I do know it comes up. That is the enterprise we’re in. For those who do not wish to be in that enterprise — we snicker, we joke, ‘Go work elsewhere.’ I’ll management the controllables for myself.

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“I come to work, do one of the best job I can and attempt to get our group in place to win a sport.”

What’s working

Jacoby Brissett accomplished an NFL-record 47 passes on Sunday in 57 makes an attempt. He completed with 452 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Certain, these numbers had been inflated as a result of the 49ers had been nursing a giant lead for a lot of the sport, however Brissett is doing a whole lot of issues proper. He began his fifth sport in a row on Sunday rather than Kyler Murray, who’s coping with a foot damage.

Brissett has thrown for 1,570 yards, 10 TDs and three interceptions over 5 begins, however the Cardinals are 1-4 in these video games.

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The veteran stated Sunday he would have relatively thrown for 3 yards in a win than have 452 in a loss. He added that the group is solely making too many errors.

“It’s like a stain,” Brissett stated. “You strive placing baking soda on it, you strive placing membership soda on it, you strive washing it — you need to determine one thing out. It’s the mindset of not quitting on the method and never quitting on the concept we will clear it up.”

What wants assist

The Cardinals have allowed greater than 40 factors in back-to-back video games for the primary time since 2002.

Their protection — which was speculated to be a energy — seems to be regressing. Arizona’s offense and particular groups have not helped the trigger with some ill-timed errors, however Gannon stated the protection has to determine a approach to keep sturdy in these moments.

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“We’re shedding the ball,” Gannon stated. “We’re giving quick fields up. We get individuals behind the sticks and we don’t win third down. We get within the purple zone (and) we don’t make them kick area objectives. That’s a recipe to surrender a whole lot of factors.”

Replenish

Michael Wilson was the group’s prime receiver vs. the 49ers since Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) was out. The third-year participant responded with one of the best sport of his profession, catching 15 passes for 185 yards.

Inventory down

Particular groups coordinator Jeff Rodgers has been a mainstay for practically a decade, spanning three teaching staffs. His models often carry out admirably, however Sunday wasn’t their finest day.

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San Francisco’s Skyy Moore took the opening kickoff 98 yards to the 1-yard line, serving to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead 16 seconds into the sport. The Cardinals additionally gave up a 42-yard kick return.

Accidents

Murray has to overlook at the very least two extra video games whereas on injured reserve. CB Garrett Williams (shin), RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and OL Kelvin Beachum (groin) had been damage Sunday and did not return.

Key quantity

3-13 — The Cardinals’ report vs. NFC West rivals in Gannon’s 2 1/2 seasons.

Subsequent steps

The Cardinals host the Jaguars on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl