First Take - Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals ?
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The Arizona Cardinals just cant catch a break, and neither can we. Thursday night saw yet another unwatchable football game, which Arizona won without scoring a touchdown.
The 12-6 scoreline. A quarterback who wasnt on the team a month ago. Arizonas first 11-win season since 1975.
Its a net gain, I guess. So why does it feel like a loss?
Last month, the Cardinals lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer for the rest of the season. Its a brutal blow for any team, but Arizona had a capable backup in Drew Stanton. Had. As Stanton was carted off the field in the third quarter with the ominously ambiguous knee injury, Ryan Lindley took the field instead of rookie third-stringer Logan Thomas. People thought he was the punter.
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After the game, coach Bruce Arians said that Thomas wasnt prepared, and Lindley (owner of the worst Total QBR 9.1 over the past three seasons per ESPN) was.
It was not a time to put Logan out there, Arians said. Hes going to be a good player someday, but hes not ready for this yet. And Ryan was more than ready.
The drama and consternation were all for naught. The Cardinals triumphed, and at 11-3, Arizona is on top of their division, has the best record in the NFC, and will clinch a playoff berth if Philadelphia and Dallas dont tie their game.
It doesnt sound like the makings of the unluckiest team in football, but it is. With Palmer, and even with Stanton, Arizona had a shot at winning a Super Bowl this season. With Lindley, that isnt the case. Arizona isnt dealing with a third string player who is learning the ropes. Lindley has played seven games in his career, and until Thursday hadnt thrown a pass in the NFL since 2012.
Bruce Arians is a tremendous coach. Arizona is a great football team. But historically, you need to score touchdowns to win a football game and Lindley hasnt done that. Ever.
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Source: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/12/arizona-cardinals-drew-stanton-ryan-lindley-playoffs
