Trey McBride's birthday was on Saturday, and he said a fan gave him a sign to commemorate the occasion, something that cheered him up.
He needed it. The Cardinals did too. They brought back their competitive work Sunday against the Jaguars, leaving in the rear view the back-to-back ugly blowout losses in the division. But they were left with similar pain from earlier in the season, a three-point final in which they felt they could've/would've/should've had.
They again played on the backs of McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson, each of whom were great again but the Jaguars knew that. So both were double-teamed on the final fourth down, with Xavier Weaver initially with one-on-one coverage – which is why Jacoby Brissett tried him – until safety Andrew Wingard sprinted back to make it an impossible-for-Weaver 2-on-1.
Wilson, a second straight game of at least 10 catches (10-118) politely declined interviews after the game. He wore a small smile as he said it, wearing the idea his team still wasn't winning despite his personal success.
McBride had his birthday wishes, and he had nine receptions for 79 yards. But …
"We have to score more points," McBride said. "Defense did their part."
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell said the Cardinals did get four turnovers, but the defense still allowed too many points. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. kept it even more basic, noting "we just have to do more." Simple as that.
The Cardinals have a long road trip next week, flying out to Tampa to face a Bucs team that was headed to a loss to the Rams Sunday night and will need a win badly to stay in playoff contention. They will be ready for the McBride-Wilson duo (and hopefully, Marvin Harrison Jr. will join the mix.)
Maybe the Cardinals can get McBride a birthday victory, albeit a week late.
"It's a fun game," McBride said. "I'll never stop fighting."
\-- The last time the Cardinals forced four turnovers in a game _and_ scored a defensive touchdown came against … wait for it … the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence. In Jacksonville in 2021, the Cardinals made two interceptions and recovered two fumbles, and Byron Murphy returned one of the picks for a TD. The Cardinals won that game, however, 31-19.