State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals
State Farm Stadium | Arizona Cardinals
For the second week in a row, the Arizona Cardinals' defense delivered a strong performance, but ultimately fell short as the Minnesota Vikings secured a one-point victory with a late scoring drive. The defeat left the team reflecting on missed opportunities and ignited their determination to improve.
Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. stood out in Sunday's game, matching safety Budda Baker with seven tackles and recording two sacks. Despite his efforts, Wilson was surprised that Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold managed to hold onto the ball after being hit hard.
The Cardinals' defense excelled on third-down plays, allowing only one first-down conversion out of eight attempts and achieving seven of their last ten sacks during these critical moments. "It's hats off to (defensive coordinator Nick) Rallis and just the whole staff with what they've been doing to put guys in the position to make plays," Wilson said. He emphasized trust within the team and adherence to Coach Rallis's strategies.
Although Wilson's versatility is valuable for the team, it wasn't enough against Minnesota. "The ultimate goal is to get a win and even if you play good as a player or defense, it doesn't feel as great if you lose the game," he noted.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon observed that reviewing film from Sunday's game revealed areas for improvement. He stated, "When you don't get the result you want, you want to look back on it and try to learn from it." Gannon expects a positive response from his players in upcoming practices.
Despite recent setbacks, including losses where their defensive resilience faltered late in games, the Cardinals are focused on moving forward. They prepare to face division rivals Seattle Seahawks again soon, aiming for victory which could place them at the top of NFC West standings.
Gannon remains confident despite consecutive defeats: "Good teams are disciplined about their process," he remarked. He plans minor adjustments in practice while emphasizing consistency and winning behavior as keys to success against Seattle.
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