Cardinals fade after fast start in 45-21 loss to Lions

“It was like deja vu all over again. Either we can drive it after we get the first first down or we’re a three and out machine right now."”

Mike LaFleur, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach

SCORING SUMMARY

ARI — J.Brissett pass short right to T.Quitoriano for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, 5:06 - 1st

DET — J.Gibbs up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 12:22 - 2nd

DET — J.Goff pass short right to S.LaPorta for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 9:30 - 2nd

DET — J.Goff pass short left to J.Williams for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 4:50 - 2nd

DET — J.Bates 46 yard field goal is GOOD, 0:53 - 2nd

DET — J.Goff pass deep right to J.Williams for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 9:42 - 3rd

ARI — J.Brissett pass short right to T.Quitoriano for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, 4:22 - 3rd

DET — J.Goff up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 1:05 - 3rd

DET — J.Gibbs right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, 5:03 - 4th

ARI — J.Brissett pass short right to T.McBride for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, 2:11 - 4th

By Zev Black
Mail

The Arizona Cardinals (1-4) couldn’t carry a strong first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions (3-2) through the remaining three, losing 45-21 for their fourth straight loss. Lions superstar RB Jahmyr Gibbs torched the Cardinals defense, racking up 207 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinals were without former fourth-overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr., who had been involved in trade rumors all week. Before the game, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed the young wideout was traded to the Houston Texans along with a 2027 7th round pick for Houston’s 2nd and 6th round picks in 2027.

The Lions, who came into the game ranked sixth in the league in yards per game (389.3) and fourth in points per game (31.8), were stifled in the first quarter by a frenzied Arizona defense.

Over three possessions, Detroit, led by QB Jared Goff, didn’t pick up a single first down and were pushed back for -9 yards. This included three sacks from Arizona’s defense.

Goff was not sacked for the rest of the game.

The Cardinals were also able to expose Detroit's secondary on their first possession. Coming into the game, the Lions defense had allowed the most passing yards per game (304) and most total yards per game (423.8).

Arizona QB Jacoby Brissett threw for 58 yards on the drive, including a touchdown pass to a wide-open Teagan Quitoriano for his first NFL catch since the 2023 season. Quitoriano added another touchdown later in the game.

This would be the Cardinals’ only offense of the first half. Each of the next five drives resulted in three-and-outs before their final drive of the half ended with an interception.

“It was like déjà vu all over again,” Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said after the game. “Either we can drive it after we get the first first down or we’re a three-and-out machine right now. Again, I put that on me.”

LaFleur, who took much of the blame, went on to say it’s really tough to get a rhythm after a couple series like that.

Gibbs then came alive in the second quarter. He had 75 all-purpose yards in the frame, including a rushing touchdown.

In addition to the Gibbs touchdown, TE Sam LaPorta was left wide open for an easy 38-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Goff found WR Jameson Williams in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard score.

The Lions led 24-7 at the half and never looked back, as the second half was more of the same.

The Lions scored touchdowns on their first three offensive possessions of the second half, including a beautiful arching 39-yard pass to Williams for his second touchdown. The third touchdown of the half, another Gibbs rushing touchdown, marked the seventh straight Detroit possession with a score.

LaFleur said one positive from this game is that the team gets to move on from it.

“We get to flush this thing, learn from it and get back to work on Wednesday,” he said. “Every loss has been very different so far, obviously. We got a lot to figure out between now and Wednesday.”

The Cardinals scored two touchdowns in the second half. One of them was a fade to TE Trey McBride, who got two feet in while juggling the ball with a defender in his face.

He was yet again a bright spot for the Cardinals, bringing in nine catches for 66 yards. These receptions brought his career total to 389, passing Jimmy Graham for most receptions by a tight end through the first five years of their career.

“He’s every bit as advertised,” Brissett said about his tight end. “He’s such a big part of our offense, run game, pass game… The stuff that he does doesn’t surprise me, but I always tell him I hate to say that it doesn’t surprise me because it just makes it feel like it’s not amazing what you’re doing.”

The Cardinals play next at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, on the road against the Los Angeles Rams (2-2) at SoFi Stadium.