It's been a week of criticism and accountability, of players meeting and talk of needing just one win. And as Bruce Arians talked for the final time before the last-gasp-for-now Washington game Sunday about such things, he veered to a message that wasn't really asked about but something he clearly wanted to say.

"I love this team's work ethic," the coach said. "I never have to bitch about work ethic. They come to work Wednesday through Saturday. It's a shame it hasn't all shown up on Sundays, but I couldn't ask any more on the field and in the classroom than what they are giving."

Ultimately, the talk during the week is just talk. Something else that keeps popping up when Arians — and players — speak about everything that's happened this week: No one knows what it all means until Sunday.

It doesn't mean all is right with the win, or that it was a disaster of a week with a loss. But the on-life-support playoff hopes need a win to make sure they don't head to the morgue, and it doesn't get much more desperate than that. The Cards are working for that. Arians is sure of it. But that's not really been a complaint all season. Just the results.

-- There's been speculation that the pounding Carson Palmer has taken this season could influence him to retire after the year. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, since he's talked often about playing as long as he possibly could, and just said last week how much he still enjoys the prep during the week and game days.

But I asked him if indeed, the added hits could play a role in him deciding to retire.

"I don't know," Palmer said. "I'll have to let you know, if I get there. If I get there."

-- I'm glad Fitz acknowledged he always knows where he is when it comes to stats because if he had said he didn't, those who have been around him would've known otherwise. Look, Fitz desperately wants to get a Super Bowl title — the one thing he doesn't have. But yes, the numbers have always been very important to him. He's not catching Jerry Rice. He might not even catch Tony Gonzalez. But he's had an amazing career.

(Yes, you can only imagine what it could have been with a good QB situation from 2010-2012, or a more steady situation in 2014, but we play the Cards we are dealt. He did have a huge 2011 season, though, when John Skelton just started throwing it to him down the field over and over.)

-- How much does Josh Norman cover Fitz Sunday? And exactly what will be Patrick Peterson's duties when he is on the field?

-- Arians was asked about the lack of production from the draft class. The coach said they were all picks made for the future, with a deep and veteran roster. He noted that only injuries forced Brandon Williams into the lineup early this season.

"(The class) was more guys we felt we could develop and not need right away," Arians said. "Hopefully that's every draft from here on in."

-- Don't forget there is a toy drive at Sunday's game. Bring an unwrapped toy or donations to any stadium entrance.

-- In case there was uncertainty about bringing Tyvon Branch back from IR, the uncertainty of Tyrann Mathieu as we go along probably should clear that up. Plus — and importantly — Branch plays special teams.

-- David Johnson needs one touchdown to reach 14 this season. No Cardinal has done that since Roy Green did it in 1983.

-- Washington is feeling good about itself. Their offense, even if Jordan Reed isn't going to play, has moved the ball. This is not a simple game. Seeing how the Cardinals react to the events of their week — and the spot they are in at 4-6-1 — is intriguing. We haven't been here in the Arians era. Everything is new.