Arizona Cardinals Week 1 Review: Five Reasons for Optimism

The Cardinals narrowly squeezed out a week one victory against a team that was the worst in the NFL last season. 

The Cardinals have a lot of areas to fix but they did give fans reason for hope for the seasons.  Below are five reasons for optimism following Cardinals week one win.

Every Other Team in the NFC West Looked Bad

Neither the 49ers nor the Seahawks reached 250 yards of total offense.  Neither quarterback in that game reached 200 yards passing and no running back on either team reached 60 yards rushing.

The Rams, while faced with a much tougher defense against the Eagles, also showed dismal offensive numbers and Steven Jackson could miss time after leaving the game in the first quarter.  This is in addition to several other injuries that occurred in the game. 

Kevin Kolb had Success Despite not Having Larry Fitzgerald

Kolb looked accurate and sharp.  He spread the ball among five different receivers and took advantage of blown coverages. 

The Panthers had double coverage on Larry Fitzgerald most of the day.  It is a good sign when the Cardinals put up respectable offensive numbers despite having their best offensive weapon.

Kolb’s debut should begin to relieve some doubts that the trade to acquire him was worth it.  Although it is only one game, Kolb has the third highest quarterback rating in the NFL. 

Beanie Wells Picked up Where he Left off in the Preseason.

Finally, after two years of hoping, Beanie Wells appears to be developing into the running back that everyone thought he could be. 

He averaged five yards-per-carry and had one touchdown on the day.  If Wells can keep this pace the Cardinals will have the best offense in the division. 

Patrick Peterson Should get Better

Patrick Peterson was limited to the Cardinals’ second and third team during the preseason.  The first time he faced a starting level wide receiver he had the misfortune of covering Steve Smith. 

Smith is an experienced receiver who is difficult for any cornerback to shutdown, let alone a rookie in his first game.  As Peterson gains experience against elite level talent he should improve.

The Cardinals Won Despite Several Mistakes.

The Cardinals had the ball inside the 10 yard line twice and yielded zero points due to a fumble and a penalty that pushed them outside the red zone. 

A subsequent rare Jay Feely miss on a very makeable field goal attempt added salt to the wound.

The Cardinals were able to preserve the victory after giving the Panthers five downs to win the game thanks to an offsides penalty on what would have been fourth down. 

The defense held and kept the Panthers from getting a first down with no time left on the clock.