The Arizona Cardinals lost their season opener 20-16 on the road to the Washington Commanders in their season opener.
They surprised on defense, sacking quarterback Sam Howell six times, forcing three turnovers and scoring a defensive touchdown.
Buy Cardinals TicketsThey were bad offensively. Two second-half turnovers by quarterback Josh Dobbs turned into 10 Commanders points and the Cardinals failed to get into the end zone offensively.
Arizona starts the season 0-1 and the Commanders win at home to start 1-0.
The recap is below.
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First defensive series has surprises
The Cardinals opened the game on defense and, while some things were expected, others were a surprise.
Victor Dimukeje started at outside linebacker with Zaven Collins, rather than Dennis Gardeck.
Linebacker Josh Woods changed his number from 51 to 10.
The Cardinals started with lots of three-safety looks in base defenses. K’Von Wallace got snaps on first series, as the Cardinals went with a five-man front, only one inside linebacker and five defensive backs.
Cardinals force punt on first defensive series
The Cardinals got a stop to start the game, forcing a punt after two first downs. The Commanders picked up 26 yards on the possession.
1st offensive series is all James Conner, Zach Ertz
The Cardinals picked up one first down on their first offensive possession, but every play either went to running back James Conner (three carries for 10 yards) or tight end Zach Ertz (two catches for four yards.
Sack, big hit, near fight, penalty
Good, bad on that play.
Cameron Thomas credited with a sack.
Kyzir White flagged for "lowering the head to make forcible contact" … 15-yard penalty.#AZvsWAS
— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) September 10, 2023
To start the Commanders’ second possession, Cameron Thomas chased Sam Howell to the left and sacked him for no gain. However, Kyzir White leveled Howell with his helmet, was penalized for a personal foul and a fight nearly broke out.
Commanders 7, Cardinals 0
SAM MAKING THINGS HAPPEN
📺 #ARIvsWAS | FOX | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/W14N8JwQjm
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2023
The Cardinals were physical, but they were too physical.
Washington went 91 yards to get a touchdown. Sam Howell threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to running back Brian Robinson.
But the drive was marred by three bad penalties by the Cardinals.
Linebacker Kyzir White’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Sam Howell, cost the Cardinals 15 yards. Safety Jalen Thompson was penalized for the same thing and cornerback Marco Wilson was flagged for a 47-yard pass interference penalty.
Commanders 7, Cardinals 3: Drive stalls after explosive plays
We see you @moore_rondale 👀#BirdGang pic.twitter.com/zHhiZSaVHp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 10, 2023
The Cardinals’ first points of the season come on a 28-yard Matt Prater field goal.
Hollywood Brown had a 29-yard run on an end around and Josh Dobb connected with Rondale Moore for a 31-yard pass play, but thing stalled in the red zone.
Dobbs threw just a little too high to Zach Ertz in the end zone and was nearly picked off on third down, attempting another throw to Ertz.
ZAVEN COLLINS INT!
First pick of the season goes to 2️⃣5️⃣@ZavenCollins x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/sxbySCT9wg
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 10, 2023
The Cardinals opened the second quarter getting penalized for roughing the passer but they took the ball away on the very next play. Linebacker Zaven Collins picked off a tipped pass and the Cardinals took over at the Commanders’ 37-yard line.
FG! Commanders 7, Cardinals 6
The Cardinals were unable to pick up a first down after the interception. Zach Ertz had a catch but Keaontay Ingram was tackled for a loss and Josh Dobbs threw incomplete to Hollywood Brown.
Matt Prater, though, nailed the 54-yard field goal to pull the Cardinals within a point.
RED-ZONE TAKEAWAY!
we don't promote violence, but that punch was 👨🍳😘@Vicdimukeje x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/2FmkK4ua7L
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 10, 2023
The Commanders had a couple of big plays but the Cardinals defense came up big in the red zone. Linebacker Victor Dimukeje punched the ball out of the arm of running back Antonio Gibson on a rushing attempt and Zaven Collins recovered it. Cardinals took over at their own 16.
DEFENSIVE TD! Cardinals 13, Commanders 7
DEFENSE IS HUNGRY AND THEY ARE EATING 🍽@DGardeck x @CameronThomas44 pic.twitter.com/jJU3S8CtP8
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 10, 2023
After a 55-yard punt by Nolan Cooney, the Cardinals got a defensive touchdown before the end of the first half. Dennis Gardeck sacked Sam Howell for the second time in the game, forced a fumble and then Cameron Thomas scooped up the ball and dove two yards for a touchdown to give the Cardinals a lead in the game.
Cardinals 13, Commanders 10
The Commanders bounce back from the turnover to pick up points at the end of the half. They drove 69 yards in 55 seconds, getting a 30-yard field goal as time expired.
Cardinals 16, Commanders 10
The Cardinals got into the red zone and rookie receiver Michael Wilson picked up his first NFL reception but the drive again stalled and they settled on a 37-yard field goal.
Josh Dobbs fumbles!
At the end of the third quarter on third-and-15, Montez Sweat stripped Dobbs of the ball. The Commanders took over with two seconds left in the quarter at Arizona’s 25.
Commanders 17, Cardinals 16
The Commanders take advantage of the turnover and take the lead. Sam Howell ran six yards for a touchdown to give Washington a one-point lead
Dobbs fumbles again!
Dobbs turned the ball over for the second time on a fumbled snap and Washington recovered. Rookie tackle Paris Johnson is penalized for pulling a player off the pile, giving Washington another 15 yards.
Commanders 20, Cardinals 16
The Commanders tacked on three more points with a 33-yard field goal after the takeaway. There was 2:23 left in the game.
