Nick Rallis would prefer his unit be making some of the plays they have not in the fourth quarter of games, but the Cardinals defensive coordinator isn't about to get emotional in the moment when it doesn't go well.
"Just solve problems in a 60-minute game," Rallis said. "That's the National Football League."
Close games -- in which the Cardinals have spent all six of their attempts in this season -- leave a mark, win or loss. Any singular play could change the game, and when it comes to Rallis' unit, a single fourth-quarter stop (or lack thereof in the first two weeks) could've flipped the result in the standings. The metrics say the Cardinals have played pretty good defense the first three quarters. The struggles are plain in the fourth, again, because of the results.
"We're doing a lot of good things, hence why we're not getting blown out," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "We've been in these close games now. To win them, we have to do it a little bit better than we've been doing it, all three phases."
The Colts game featured an opponent who has been better on offense than anyone else the Cardinals had played this season, when the Cardinals had their best day offensively. Earlier in the season, a heavier burden was on the defense to hold up even though the Cardinals weren't scoring as much or moving the ball as well.
Gannon was disappointed in the Cardinals' run defense, which had trouble slowing Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor. Gannon liked the pass rush, calling it the best day the Cardinals had had all season -- but noting the back end didn't hold up as well. (That's as specific as Gannon was going to get.)
In six games, the Cardinals have played defense on 20 fourth-quarter opponent possessions. The only two punts came in Week 1. Scores came on 11 of the other 18, although there have been some stops aside from punts. The breakdown:
- six touchdowns
- five field goals
- two interceptions
- two turnovers on downs
- one missed field goal
- one safety
- one end-of-game
"We looked at it and (asked ourselves), 'Are we putting them in the right spots and what do we need to do?'" Gannon said. "We're all trying to find solutions together because you have to keep points off the board there (at the end of the game)."
Both Rallis and Gannon stressed -- as they have all season -- the need for the defense to work in concert. The Cardinals are blitzing little, and they are playing man-to-man infrequently. The latter may have to do with the inexperience at cornerback (although rookie Will Johnson is off to a good start) and the injury to Garrett Williams.
The upcoming game against the Packers will be crucial. Jordan Love had a big game against the Cardinals last season in Green Bay; the Cardinals know more or less what is coming. It's hard to believe they won't have a game that won't be close. They'll need the defense to make a play or two to have it swing in their favor by the time the clock hits 0:00.
