Bears running back Tarik Cohen reeled off several big gains against the Cardinals' starting defense on Saturday night.
Bruce Arians doesn't like to make snap judgments about what goes on near the line of scrimmage right after a game.
The Cardinals' coach has a poor view into that muddled mess from the sidelines, and will often defer until he sees the tape.
So it was a bad thing when he had a strong postgame reaction to the first unit's run defense in Saturday night's 24-23 preseason loss to the Bears. Chicago running back Tarik Cohen regularly popped to the second level, finishing with 11 carries for 77 yards, including gains of 9, 16, 16, and 25 yards.
"Hell, yeah," Arians said when asked if he was concerned about Cohen's success. "You don't want to see anyone run 10-, 15-yard runs against any of our defenses, especially against our number ones."
The Cardinals have been consistently strong against the run in Bruce Arians' four seasons, finishing in the top-three in yards per attempt allowed in both 2013 and 2016.
However, there is some worry after the departure of defensive tackle Calais Campbell and linebacker Kevin Minter, two of the team's best run defenders a season ago, and Saturday's performance won't assuage those fears. Nose tackle Corey Peters was frustrated with the results, but believes it is just a blip, not a sign of things to come.
"We've been working hard throughout camp, which has been three or four weeks at this point, and I think we've been consistently doing well," Peters said. "I'm anxious to get to the film and kind of pinpoint where we struggled. I'm sure we'll get it fixed. This is a strong group and everybody's honest. We'll take a good look at ourselves and refocus and come back at it."
Some of the issues can be attributed to the youth at inside linebacker during the game. Scooby Wright and Haason Reddick started with veterans Karlos Dansby (leg) and Deone Bucannon (ankle) still on the shelf with injuries.
"When 'Los gets back there everything will be good," outside linebacker Markus Golden said. "We'll be set up right and be able to fly around together. We'll be all right, but no excuses. We need to do better."
Golden said there were a few instances when the defensive linemen weren't aligned correctly, which made it easier for Cohen to find running lanes. However, there were also times when the Cardinals simply missed the tackles.
"We let (the starters) play a little longer than I wanted to just because we weren't tackling well enough," Arians said. "Those inside 'backers struggled setting the front a few times and miscommunication with the two guys that were in there. But still, no excuse for not tackling."
Peters said next week's opponent, the Falcons, have a similar running game and will present another challenge. That will be the final game of preseason action for the starters, and the defense would like to iron out these issues before the regular season begins.
It will also help to get Dansby and Bucannon back. Dansby has dealt with a leg issue for several weeks but the concern level is still low. Bucannon is hoping to return from offseason ankle surgery by the regular season opener against the Lions on Sept. 10.
"I hope to hell they get healthy," Arians said. "I'll be concerned if we're playing with that group that we had (Saturday night)."
Images from the Cardinals' third preseason game on Saturday night
![TE Jeremaine Gresham catches a touchdown pass](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/s2op3qvocsu86cun1q4f.jpg)
TE Jeremaine Gresham catches a touchdown pass
![QB Carson Palmer](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fjugtlcpnxcxrra2jn8v.jpg)
QB Carson Palmer
![Bears RB Benny Cunningham on a kick return](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yfq5jl6c07qud8mvcod5.jpg)
Bears RB Benny Cunningham on a kick return
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/mlnhoep6mp8pjk5fpqds.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/njbnb5pzeelzj3o3ehib.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![RT Jared Veldheer blocks Bears LB Leonard Floyd](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wishx01edawvw37ydz0t.jpg)
RT Jared Veldheer blocks Bears LB Leonard Floyd
![Cardinals cheerleaders perform](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/y4m9kslxhidjnkcntz5f.jpg)
Cardinals cheerleaders perform
![DT Robert Nkemdiche wraps up Bears RB Ka'Deem Carey](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/olrrhvrjozb2kdpuuwiz.jpg)
DT Robert Nkemdiche wraps up Bears RB Ka'Deem Carey
![CB Patrick Peterson goes for a tackle on Bears RB Tarik Cohen](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/vcsqxdffyjdzypx7zhfb.jpg)
CB Patrick Peterson goes for a tackle on Bears RB Tarik Cohen
![Bears K Connor Barth celebrates his early made field goal](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/szrvadd9hh2hfba0horz.jpg)
Bears K Connor Barth celebrates his early made field goal
![RB David Johnson before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/du6z2yhwche1mzyujh93.jpg)
RB David Johnson before the game
![Coach Bruce Arians (left) and Bears coach John Fox](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ypggn9m94yfucj92clm5.jpg)
Coach Bruce Arians (left) and Bears coach John Fox
![QB Carson Palmer in warmups](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/qkdza67jsieomyqpcscq.jpg)
QB Carson Palmer in warmups
![Fans in the stands](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/txivuswktjmhvsieheil.jpg)
Fans in the stands
![Fans in the stands](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/o8xxauzluj0xpuolhpck.jpg)
Fans in the stands
![LB Haason Reddick before the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/d35kuctmwhb1wzcrwlhy.jpg)
LB Haason Reddick before the game
![S Tyrann Mathieu's individualized pregame cleats](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/zkdfb8jm6byfubi84h0n.jpg)
S Tyrann Mathieu's individualized pregame cleats
![QB Carson Palmer](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/g99fkfinmuvhem2a3mt8.jpg)
QB Carson Palmer
![RB Andre Ellington makes the grab](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fosovdkiznantr8zefxu.jpg)
RB Andre Ellington makes the grab
![Head coach Bruce Arians](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yysiow29pagpfxqyjvrq.jpg)
Head coach Bruce Arians
![RB Chris Johnson dives forward](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ug3zc8mw8wew9gkixieq.jpg)
RB Chris Johnson dives forward
![QB Carson Palmer gets rid of the ball before contact](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yv6egwss4mtchaqrokok.jpg)
QB Carson Palmer gets rid of the ball before contact
![LB Scooby Wright III makes the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/bggogkmktj1xylbt8tzh.jpg)
LB Scooby Wright III makes the tackle
![S Tyrann Mathieu picks off the pass intended for Bears WR Cameron Meredith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/q8ytp5awt0wetscwk8r9.jpg)
S Tyrann Mathieu picks off the pass intended for Bears WR Cameron Meredith
![QB Carson Palmer throws the ball](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/x9dd6pwslnielcugzzqx.jpg)
QB Carson Palmer throws the ball
![RB Chris Johnson runs through the Bears defender](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/zijwvzhkvffl9jc6ymlv.jpg)
RB Chris Johnson runs through the Bears defender
![WR Chris Hubert cradles the catch](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/cf36iyrnkjkzbioc1542.jpg)
WR Chris Hubert cradles the catch
![TE Jermaine Gresham celebrates his touchdown reception from Carson Palmer](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ggdvvrrbujvlp4v7ikxw.jpg)
TE Jermaine Gresham celebrates his touchdown reception from Carson Palmer
![RB Chris Johnson on the run](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/wezwkcptn8fbka8zhtew.jpg)
RB Chris Johnson on the run
![K Phil Dawson attempts a 63-yard field goal](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ct9fc8zeaa6lp5znvc40.jpg)
K Phil Dawson attempts a 63-yard field goal
![QB Drew Stanton](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/mypkrqajpxeanf63gpnb.jpg)
QB Drew Stanton
![T D.J. Humphries protects the pocket](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/icdx3rguiohagfzapgqy.jpg)
T D.J. Humphries protects the pocket
![DT Robert Nkemdiche and the defense prepare for the snap](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/rk7mkmuzipjy79wezjua.jpg)
DT Robert Nkemdiche and the defense prepare for the snap
![QB Drew Stanton tries to escape the Bears defense](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/uyl1izjizihhmeafl6pf.jpg)
QB Drew Stanton tries to escape the Bears defense
![S Tyrann Mathieu](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pbs6dn5akql2lyfopngz.jpg)
S Tyrann Mathieu
![WR Jeremy Ross with the reception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/d0rtxbidlif5etyirwjc.jpg)
WR Jeremy Ross with the reception
![RB Kerwynn Williams on the carry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/r1ba5aitw8uuqid590wi.jpg)
RB Kerwynn Williams on the carry
![QB Blaine Gabbert strides into the endzone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/keoc2lwytspshwmy8yos.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert strides into the endzone
![P Matt Wile tries to catch Bears WR Deonte Thompson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/flgbw2ecakq2arwia5ps.jpg)
P Matt Wile tries to catch Bears WR Deonte Thompson
![Head coach Bruce Arians](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/hnjsuxxulo8hdt7yj9wr.jpg)
Head coach Bruce Arians
![CB Tramon Williams makes the tackle](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/e2z6jbqz8aw9b2keb42q.jpg)
CB Tramon Williams makes the tackle
![TE Troy Niklas tries to catch Deonte Thompson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/k5tnpue6wsxy6epuvo7z.jpg)
TE Troy Niklas tries to catch Deonte Thompson
![QB Blaine Gabbert celebrates his touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nj9c6zg1r3dzl67cqrtr.jpg)
QB Blaine Gabbert celebrates his touchdown
![S Tyrann Mathieu fires up the crowd](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/jv2nq868mf1knhujicbx.jpg)
S Tyrann Mathieu fires up the crowd
![S Budda Baker chases down Bears WR Kendall Wright](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yev8pnwvsvcken3oitwo.jpg)
S Budda Baker chases down Bears WR Kendall Wright
![LB Zaviar Gooden holds on](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/ggpus46m9qdt39rphxfb.jpg)
LB Zaviar Gooden holds on