Arizona Cardinals: Meltdown dooms Josh Rosen’s first start

The Arizona Cardinals spoiled the first start of rookie quarterback Josh Rosen with a third-quarter meltdown to lose, 20-17, in Week 4.

Josh Rosen made his debut as the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 4. After a strong first half performance, things went horribly awry in the third quarter. The third-quarter meltdown spoiled the Rosen debut as the Seattle Seahawks won, 20-17.

Seattle opened the scoring in the first quarter to lead 7-0. On their second possession, they marched 62 yards in six plays for their first score. The Seahawks missed two field goals by Sebastian Janikowski, who later redeemed himself by booting the winning field goal.

Arizona responded by scoring 10 points in the first half. Phil Dawson kicked a 23-yarder to close the scoring gap to 7-3. David Johnson scored a touchdown from one yard out for the go ahead score, making it 10-7. The Cardinals led by that mark entering the half and appeared to be taking control of the game.

Arizona let the game get away from them in the third quarter. Seattle forced the Cardinals into two  third-quarter punts without a first down. Arizona ran seven offensive plays, punted twice, and Seattle was called for a penalty in the third quarter. Seattle dominated the third quarter. They scored 10 unanswered points to lead 17-10. Most of all, they controlled the game clock.

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Rosen’s touchdown pass to Chad Williams tied the game in the fourth quarter. Dawson missed a field goal, which set up Seattle’s winning drive. Janikowski won the game on a 52-yarder.

Both Dawson and Janikowski missed two field goals each. The game was decided in the third quarter because of the Seahawks running attack. Seattle wore out the Cardinals defense.

A porous Cardinals defense gave up 171 rushing yards for the game. They allowed 160 net passing yards. They did not force any turnovers. They were on the field for basically the entire third quarter.

This is one of those games that got away. The Cardinals have some bright spots. Johnson and Ricky Seals-Jones had a good game. Arizona is playing better with 12 more games to play. They need to put together a complete game to win their first one in 2018.