The Arizona Cardinals kicked off their season with a 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and while the W is all that matters, man, there were some wild swings in that game. Rookies made huge plays, but some costly mistakes meant this one was probably closer than it needed to be. Talk about a rollercoaster!
Rookies Shining, Veterans Delivering Key Hits
Let’s talk about Dante Stills. That dude was everywhere! He only played 32 of the 55 defensive snaps, but he was the most disruptive player on the field, hands down. His sack on fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line ended a Chargers possession and kept the Cardinals clinging to a 10-7 lead late in the first half. A huge, game-changing play. He also snagged a solo tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and even a pass defensed. Imagine that kind of impact from a guy playing just over half the snaps. Roy Lopez led the defensive linemen with four tackles, two solo, but Stills was just different. On the linebacker front, Mack Wilson Sr. and Jack Gibbens were absolute machines, playing almost every defensive snap. Gibbens led the whole team with seven tackles, five solo, and even had a half-sack and a QB hit. But Wilson’s pass defensed? When he absolutely CRUSHED Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey, separating him from the ball with a hit so hard McConkey left with a rib injury after snagging five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown? That’s the kind of physicality you love to see! Second-year player Jordan Burch also popped off with a sack, three solo tackles, one for loss, and a QB hit. Even preseason standout Eku Leota got in a QB hit in his eight snaps.
Big Plays in the Secondary… and Some Head-Scratching Penalties
The defensive backs had some serious highlight reel moments, but also some “facepalm” ones. Safety Andrew Wingard had a monster game, filling the stat sheet with four tackles, three solo, two for loss, an interception, a forced fumble, AND a pass defensed. That’s a full meal, right there! Will Johnson recovered Wingard’s forced fumble too. Budda Baker, always a presence, chipped in five tackles, a half-sack, and a QB hit. But then there were those penalties. Yikes. Denzel Burke got flagged for a 24-yard pass interference penalty, and Max Melton was whistled for a brutal 48-yard pass interference call that directly led to a touchdown. That’s just rough! Melton did bounce back, returning to the game after a brief ankle injury absence, and had two passes defensed, but man, those penalties sting. On special teams, rookie Kitan Crawford had a solo tackle but suffered an ankle injury on a blocked punt and had to be carted off. That’s a tough break for a guy who was active on special teams.
The Cardinals grabbed a win, which is all that matters, but they’ve got some stuff to clean up before their next game. Those penalties can’t happen. Still, seeing rookies like Stills and impact plays from veterans like Wilson and Wingard makes you think this defense could be a problem for opposing offenses.
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.
Leave a Reply