THE STORY: INDIANAPOLIS – Jacoby Brissett, coming back to play against the team for which he started 30 games for once upon a time, was excellent.
But the storybook finish the veteran quarterback wanted was instead ripped from the pages of the same script the Cardinals have played over the last month – a game down to the end that doesn't end well.
"I thought we had a chance," said Brissett, who led the Cardinals down to the Indianapolis 9 with less than a minute left, only to have his final pass fall incomplete in the end zone in a 31-27 loss at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"That's all you can ask for in this league, is a chance."
Brissett, starting after Kyler Murray was sidelined with a foot injury, led the Cardinals (2-4) to a season-best 400 yards of offense, and that was after wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. left in the first half with a concussion.
Brissett completed 27-of-44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, just six yards shy of his career high, against the Colts (5-1)
Coach Jonathan Gannon stressed that Murray remains the starting quarterback when Murray returns. When that is remains a mystery; the Cardinals have a home game against the Packers before their bye week.
But even if Brissett has to play, there will be confidence in what comes next.
Gannon lauded Brissett's poise and command in the pocket. "I hate to say I'm not impressed," Gannon added, "but I know that's who he is."
The only second-half possession with which the Cardinals did not score was the final one. Tight end Trey McBride screamed at the official after the last pass was intended for him, believing he was held by the Colts defender. No flag was thrown.
"I thought I got a little pass interference," a subdued McBride said after. "They didn't think so."
Added Gannon, "They call what they call."
The end was a gut punch. The Cardinals have seen every one of their six games come down to the final 60 seconds in some fashion. The four-game losing streak they ride has been by a total of nine points.
"It doesn't feel like that," McBride said. "They've all been close. It's frustrating."
Gannon said the Cardinals defense allowed too much to running back Jonathan Taylor, who had 123 yards rushing and averaged nearly six yards a carry. They needed a stop somewhere in the second half but couldn't, struggling again in the fourth quarter.
"This is not no time to put our heads down," safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson said. "It's a long, long season. These games are close. We're not where we want to be but we're not in a bad spot."
That could've been OK, given that the game was evolving into last-team-with-the-ball-wins. That's what that final Cardinals drive could have been.
Brissett said he thought offensive coordinator Drew Petzing felt Brissett's rhythm early, and Brissett liked how Petzing was vibing too.
"I was seeing it very well," Brissett said. "I don't remember if it was Kyler or (QB) Kedon (Slovis), but one of them said to me, 'I can see you see it.'"
That's why the Cardinals signed Brissett in the offseason, for such a Kyler-less situation. It was nearly enough.
"It's hard. It's hard," Gannon acknowledged. "We're in a tough spot. Four in a row is tough. But we'll be resilient."
TURNING POINT: The Colts were able to score the go-ahead touchdown with 4:32 left on a Jonathan Taylor run, as the Cardinals' defense was unable to stop the Indianapolis offense after Arizona had taken a 27-24 lead. The Colts scored on each possession in the second half save for the final run-out-the-clock situation.
THE STANDOUTS: Brissett was the obvious choice. McBride had eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown and was the guy the offense leaned on down the stretch. Michael Wilson made a fantastic 31-yard grab on the final drive to set up the Cardinals' final chance. Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. made an athletic interception in the first half that looked like it would set up points, only to have Brissett throw his lone interception a couple plays later. Wide receiver Zay Jones easily had his best game with five catches for 79 yards.
INJURY UPDATE: Tight end Travis Vokolek (neck/concussion) was carted off on a stretcher after a collision on a first-quarter kickoff. He was alert and had use of extremities, however, which was a good sign. The Cardinals have already lost tight end Tip Reiman for the season. Vokolek was taken to the hospital and released, and traveled home with the team.
The Cardinals lost wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to a concussion in the second quarter after he hit the turf hard following a reception.
Wide receiver Michael Wilson left the game in the first quarter with a finger injury on his right hand but returned. Running back Emari Demercado left in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
