Cardinals coach Gannon takes responsibility for team's collapse: 'Not satisfied with our performance'

Alex Parker

u/alex

The Arizona Cardinals have experienced a recent collapse in their performance, losing four of their past five games and being eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters: This downturn in form raises questions about the team's ability to compete at a high level and highlights areas of concern that need to be addressed moving forward.

The Cardinals recent 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers showcased several issues that contributed to their downfall.

  • They fell behind 20-3 in the second quarter before mounting a comeback to tie the game at 30 by the end of regulation.
  • However, they were unable to secure a victory, ultimately succumbing to defeat.

Coach Jonathan Gannon took responsibility for the team's underwhelming performance and acknowledged the presence of self-inflicted problems.

  • He emphasized his dissatisfaction with both the team's overall display and his own coaching performance, accepting accountability for the shortcomings.

One notable issue faced by the Cardinals was their struggle to contain the Panthers' running back Chuba Hubbard, who amassed 152 rushing yards during the game.

  • Additionally, quarterback Bryce Young posed a dual-threat challenge, contributing 68 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Despite being out of playoff contention, Coach Gannon expressed optimism about the remaining two games against the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.

  • He views these matchups as valuable learning opportunities and a chance to build towards a more successful future season.

In reflecting on the team's performance, Coach Gannon stated, "I'm not satisfied with the performance of the team, and that starts with me... I'm not satisfied with myself... That starts with me... Dug ourselves out of the hole, had some chances to win it and, ultimately, all three phases didn't do enough. So, it's a good learning experience."

Yes, but: While the Cardinals have faced setbacks in recent weeks, it's important to recognize that they have shown resilience in fighting back from deficits and remaining competitive in games.

What to watch: Observers will closely monitor how the team responds to this challenging period and whether they can finish the season on a positive note against formidable opponents.

What's next: The Cardinals will have an opportunity to evaluate their roster, coaching strategies, and overall performance during the offseason, identifying areas for improvement and making the necessary adjustments.

The bottom line: The collapse in the Cardinals' performance raises concerns about their ability to consistently compete at a high level and highlights the need for introspection and constructive changes moving forward.