The Arizona Cardinals had been waiting for quarterback Carson Palmer's return from injury since the first week of the season. They got their wish, winning 30-20 at home with Palmer at the helm against a Washington team in free fall. Here's what we learned from an impressive Arizona victory.
Washington vs. Cardinals final score: 3 things we learned from the Cardinals’ 30-20 win
The Cardinals looked solid in every facet at home Sunday in a big 30-20 win over Washington. Washington though? Not so much.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. Carson Palmer = solid.
Coming off of a shoulder nerve injury, the Cardinals' quarterback played in just his second game of the season since leading Arizona to a win over the Chargers in Week 1. He seemed no worse for wear, hitting his receivers quickly (he hit eight receivers on the day) and making good decisions out of the pocket despite occasional breakdowns in protection. In one instance, Palmer narrowly avoided a sack to get the ball to running back Robert Hughes.
Palmer played solid, mistake-free football, avoiding turnovers (the Cardinals have thrown 178 passes without an interception this season). Despite crushing injuries on defense throughout the season, the Cardinals are 4-1 and first in the NFC West. If Palmer can stay healthy, their success might continue.
2. Welcome back, Larry Fitzgerald.
The Cardinals wide receiver had been fairly quiet through the first five weeks of the season, but he made a lot of noise on Sunday. He fought for extra yards, battled with Washington cornerbacks for possessions and scored his first touchdown of the year. He had nearly 100 yards receiving -- his best game of the year.
In addition, running back Andre Ellington was a threat on the ground while also catching a number of passes. He may have had fewer than 100 yards total, but he provided support for Palmer and the offense when they needed it most.
3. Washington isn’t terrible. But it isn’t good, either.
Despite what seemed like dozens of dropped passes, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins was an efficient game manager with more than 300 yards through the air, although those yards came with the caveat of three interceptions. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson continued his streak of big-yardage touchdowns (he has the most deep TDs of anyone in the NFL) -- Jackson had more than 100 yards receiving at the half. Running backs Roy Helu and Alfred Morris had their moments, particularly when Washington's offensive line provided effective blocking. Pierre Garcon picked up a much-needed touchdown with 2:17 left in the game to bring Washington to within a field goal -- the offense's first sign of life in more than a quarter.
But the mistakes just piled up. Morris dropped easy pitches from Cousins. Receiver Andre Roberts had a damaging drive-killing fumble recovered by Tyrann Mathieu. Worst of all, Cousins threw two incredibly costly interceptions with just minutes left in the game. He threw a final interception that was returned for a touchdown with 18 seconds to go.
Time and time again, the Washington offense couldn’t pick up first downs and stay on the field -- the Cardinals had the ball for more than three times as long as Washington did in the second half and ran three times as many plays in opponents’ territory. The only downside for the Cardinals? Penalties that helped keep Washington drives alive.
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