The Arizona Cardinals offense just lit up the scoreboard in their preseason finale against the Green Bay Packers, dropping a massive 492 total yards. Even with backups against backups, they absolutely controlled the game. This isn’t just a win, it’s a statement.
The Cardinals Offense Just Exploded
These numbers are wild! The Cards averaged a ridiculous 6.2 yards per play over 79 snaps, racked up 27 first downs, and converted an insane 9-of-15 third-down opportunities. They held the ball for a whopping 37:31! And get this: in the first half alone, they put up 323 yards on 42 plays, averaging an even crazier 7.7 yards, with 16 first downs and 20:01 time of possession. That’s efficiency, man. This kind of offensive rhythm, even in the preseason, is a serious statement about what they’re building.
Matt Schaub’s Unexpected Return to the Sidelines
So, who was masterminding this offensive clinic? None other than quarterbacks coach Matt Schaub, stepping into the play-calling role for the first time in his NFL coaching career. He played QB for 17 seasons, until 2020, then was an analyst for the Falcons in 2023. He told us he’s “just a football guy,” saying “something in it just kept drawing me back.” After dedicating so much to the game as a player, becoming a husband and father to four daughters was his focus, but “something kept tugging at me to come back.” Knowing head coach Mike LaFleur from “years gone by and his brother and just that tree of coaching” made it an opportunity he “couldn’t pass up.” LaFleur himself made the call, believing in “developing staff as well,” and Schaub was “ecstatic about it. It was cool.”
From Player to Play-Caller: The Schaub Advantage
LaFleur nailed why Schaub excels in his main role, saying he “brings it back to the foundational level” with “cadence, how you operate, where your eyes need to go, rhythm, timing, accuracy.” He’s steady, never too high or too low, and that consistency, plus having “done it at this level,” commands respect. Schaub himself knows the mental and on-field grind. He gets “what they’re going through mentally, with the playbook, plan, and adjustments.” He can “relate to how things happen on the field” because he’s been there, making him more realistic than someone in an “air-conditioned room with a clicker.” Those “subtle nuances that if you hadn’t played the position sometimes you might miss”? That’s Schaub’s advantage. Oh, and here’s a kicker: Packers head coach Matt LaFleur even revealed his starting QB, Jordan Love, called plays in the second half for Green Bay. Wild stuff all around for developing talent!
This preseason finale performance, with Schaub at the helm, is definitely an early trend to watch for the Cardinals. Showing this kind of offensive firepower, even with backups, gives them a serious boost heading into the season. You gotta wonder if LaFleur lets Schaub keep calling plays.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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