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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Cardinals’ starting defense was bright spot in loss to Chiefs

In the Arizona Cardinals’ 38-10 preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at home Saturday night, there weren’t a lot of things to be happy about.

They allowed 504 yards of offense. They did not take the ball away or have a sack on defense.

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On offense, they mustered only one touchdown and 286 yards.

However, there was one clear positive and that was the Cardinals’ starting defense.

The defense only had all its starters on the field for two series.

In those two series, they forced a three-and-out, and they allowed only 17 total yards and one first down. The Chiefs had to punt on both possessions.

Once the Cardinals subbed out safety Budda Baker, linebacker Kyzir White, cornerback Marco Wilson and their starting outside linebackers, that was when the Chiefs started moving the ball.

In four defensive series in two games with the defensive starters (Baker and White did not play in the opener), the starting defense has not allowed any points.

It is a defense not expected to be very good. It is only two preseason games and four series, but it is something to look at with some level of optimism at this point.

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