No Kyler Murray, nearly no problem.
With backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett running the show and plenty of injuries impacting the offense, the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) made it a game in a 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts (5-1) on Sunday.
Despite looking like the inferior team heading into the matchup and riding a three-game losing streak, Arizona attempted to put its best foot forward against a Colts team near the top of plenty offensive and defensive categories.
Offensively, Brissett did more than enough to keep Arizona in it through four quarters, with the Cardinals setting a new season high for offensive points scored. The signal caller completed 27 of his 44 throws for 319 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. He ran the rock three times for 19 yards.
That included an impressive 6-for-6 showing that ended with a one-yard touchdown strike to tight end Trey McBride in the third quarter before adding another score the following drive with the help of wide receiver Greg Dortch.
McBride was among Brissett’s favorite targets on Sunday, reeling in eight catches for 72 yards and the score.
The run game, meanwhile, saw a heavier dose of Bam Knight, who registered 11 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown.
For a Cardinals offense that has sputtered through five weeks and relying on a backup signal caller, seeing Brissett lead a trio of consecutive scoring drives was promising, especially if more starts are on the way for the veteran QB.
And that’s before realizing who else wasn’t on the field for Arizona.
In addition to Murray’s out status due to a foot issue, the Cardinals were largely without wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The wideout exited in the second quarter after making a catch and hitting his head hard on the turf. He was later ruled out with a concussion after making two catches for 32 yards.
The injury woes didn’t stop there, with tight end Travis Vokolek ruled out in the first quarter with a neck issue. Running back Emari Demercado (ankle) and wide receiver Michael Wilson (finger) also picked up injuries.
Defensively, Arizona watched quarterback Daniel Jones and the Colts offense move the rock with ease on their way to an opening-drive touchdown. It marked the first opening-drive TD the Cardinals defense had given up all season.
The Cardinals dug in from there, with the defense forcing a pair of three-and-outs before Mack Wilson Sr. snagged a pass for a second-quarter interception. The linebacker finished with nine tackles, a pass defensed and the pick.
Pass rusher Baron Browning recorded Arizona’s lone sack of the afternoon.
Against a Colts team that entered play second in the NFL in points per game (32.6), the Cardinals defense looked to have an edge early on.
But like a lot of Arizona’s games this season, the unit couldn’t keep it up through all four quarters, allowing four scoring drives across Indianapolis’ final five possessions (excluding the incomplete drive to end the game).
That included multiple touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, leading to yet another one-score Cardinals loss.