Cardinals Offense Can Move the Ball - But Can They Finish?
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals' offense has shown it can move the chains. Over the last five weeks, they've put together 19 drives of 50 yards or more - a clear sign that the unit can generate momentum.
But here's the problem: only 12 of those drives have resulted in points, and just nine ended in touchdowns. That means Arizona is cashing in on fewer than half of its long drives with six points, and in today’s NFL, that kind of inefficiency is a recipe for frustration.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing addressed the issue this week, and he didn’t sugarcoat it. The Cardinals are doing the hard part - flipping the field, stringing together explosive plays - but they’re stumbling when it matters most: inside the 20.
“We moved the ball, which is a positive,” Petzing said. “The points are the number one goal, and that’s always what we fall back on. Whether it’s red zone execution, whether we turn the ball over on the wrong read - anything like that is what we’re going back to clean up.”
And that red zone execution Petzing mentioned? It's been a major sticking point.
Of those seven long drives that didn’t end in points, three died on fourth downs inside the opponent's 10-yard line. Two more ended in turnovers, and two others were cut short by missed field goals from kicker Chad Ryland.
That’s seven prime scoring opportunities - all wasted.
When you look at the numbers, the story gets even more frustrating. Arizona ranks 20th in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage at 56.86%.
That’s not where you want to be, especially when you’re getting down there as often as the Cardinals are. In fact, they’re tied for fourth in the league in red zone trips per game with 3.9.
So the scheme is getting them into scoring position - the execution just isn’t finishing the job.
That’s the puzzle Petzing and the coaching staff are trying to solve. The Cardinals are creating chances, but they’re not capitalizing. Whether it's missed throws, poor reads, failed blocks, or special teams miscues, the breakdowns are coming at the worst possible times.
Heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Rams, it’s clear the Cardinals need more than just yardage - they need points. And until they figure out how to convert promising drives into touchdowns, they’ll continue to leave wins on the field.
Finishing drives is what separates good offenses from great ones. Right now, Arizona is stuck somewhere in between.