PHX Reporter

Once the game was out of reach late in the fourth quarter, the chatter started among the Cardinals coaching staff on their headsets. They discussed what each of them would do this week to address the team's issues. The current strategy was not working.

"It was a good conversation," coach Jonathan Gannon said.

The performance was worse than previous games this season. Close losses to the Bills and Lions had provided some positives. This game did not offer much.

Kyler Murray emphasized that the offense needs to convert more third downs to help keep the defense off the field. The offense was expected to carry the team, especially after scoring a touchdown on the opening drive. However, they could not maintain that momentum.

Trey McBride's absence was noticeable, and finding Marvin Harrison Jr. more often is essential. A game where Murray runs once for three yards is unlikely to go well for the Cardinals. Gannon remained optimistic about fixing these issues, stating it was just one game and expressing confidence in his coaching staff's ability to prevent multiple blowouts.

The next two games will be challenging: at 49ers and at Packers. The Cardinals need overall improvement and must score more points.

"We've got to do a better job affecting the quarterback," Gannon said regarding their lack of pressure on Jayden Daniels.

James Conner gained 104 yards but failed to establish a consistent offensive foundation. Two games ago, the Cardinals led in third-down conversions but were only 4-for-11 on Sunday, with their last successful attempt occurring as they ran out the clock.

The Cardinals have scored a touchdown on their opening drive in all four games this season.

In 2016, after a tough tie with the Seahawks, they were flat against Carolina and lost 30-20. There might have been some residual effects from last week's physical game against the Lions.

This season, they have scored 35 points in first quarters but only 38 points total in second halves of games.

Jayden Daniels became the first QB in NFL history to complete at least 85 percent of his passes in consecutive games.

The Cardinals faced a fourth-and-1 late in the second quarter after gaining nine yards on third-and-10 when it was 14-7. They went for it but Kyler Murray was sacked despite having time for a throw. They converted their other two fourth-down attempts during the game.

"The clock was running down (and) we were a little discombobulated, so we were rushing," Murray said. "It was just bad execution on our part and we've got to be better."

Tackle Kelvin Beachum served as rotating captain for this game.

After the game ended, former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury hugged Kyler Murray briefly before leaving him smiling on camera as time wound down.

Harrison had an early catch and touchdown but went over 28 minutes without another target until late in the third quarter. Murray acknowledged this gap: "I felt that too," he said. "We have to get our best players the ball."

Kevin Durant attended Sunday's game following Devin Booker's appearance last week.

Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., reflecting on their loss at home, stated: "To lose like this at home is not acceptable at all... But again it goes back to just hopping on film and being able to take positives out of that."

That's all for tonight.