Week 7 Game Recap: Arizona Cardinals 9, Oakland Raiders 22

What you need to know

Arizona Cardinals

Matt Leinart just wasn’t able to get anything going against the Raiders. Arizona’s offense looked mediocre once again, and it seems the new offensive coordinator hasn’t done much to improve the bland Cardinals’ offense, at least not in the short term. Leinart struggled to make plays in the first half when Arizona needed them, and that resulted in only three points for the Cardinals in the first half. The second half didn’t go well for Arizona either, as they were only able to score two more field goals. For the game, they finished just one of 11 on third downs, had only nine first downs, missed a field goal, threw an interception and gave up three sacks. The heart of the problem seems to be the offensive line and coaching, because the Cardinals, without a doubt, have talent at all of the skill positions.

With Larry Fitzgerald sitting out because of injury, Anquan Boldin led the club in receptions, with four for 59 yards, and former first round pick, Bryant Johnson, tallied 87 yards on three catches.

Edgerrin James led Arizona in rushing with 34 yards on 13 carries, as he continued to struggle in the running game. The Cardinals’ rushing attack had another bad performance against one of the worst defenses in the league, and that certainly does not put a big vote of confidence in the minds of James owners.

Arizona’s defense gave up 22 points, but for the majority of the first three quarters, was defending a relatively short field. Oakland capitalized on a Cardinals’ missed field goal for their first touchdown and a Matt Leinart interception for their second score. They were able to keep the Raiders’ ground game under control, but considering Justin Fargas got the majority of the carries, isn’t saying too much. The Cardinals’ defensive unit did have two interceptions and five sacks, but couldn’t overcome the lack of support they got from the offense to keep them in the game.

Oakland Raiders

RB Lamont Jordan was on the active player list and in uniform for the game and expected to start. He tweaked his back right before kickoff and was on the sideline trying to get loose, but never stepped on the field. It was mentioned he was trying to stretch out his back, and throughout the game Jordan was shown pacing the sidelines and it looked like he wanted on the field but with the Raiders in control of the game, the team let Fargas and Lee handle the rushing duties.

Andrew Walter played one of the best games of his career, leading the Raiders to their first win before leaving the game due to a hamstring injury. Walter led his club on two first quarter scoring drives that resulted in touchdowns, giving the Raiders an early jump on Arizona. He made a few big plays to lead to each of the club’s scoring drives and was able to get WR Randy Moss involved in the passing game, something that had been missing. Walter connected with Moss from 32 yards out for the aforementioned second score of the first quarter, and threw for 263 yards before leaving the game. Walter was relieved by Marques Tuiasosopo, and did not return.

Randy Moss had a strong game statistically, with seven receptions for 129 yards and a 32 yard touchdown, but could have put up much bigger numbers. Moss “alligator-armed” a few passes that were more than catchable, but Walter continued looking his way as Moss received 14 targets.

RB Justin Fargas got the start, with incumbent LaMont Jordan nursing a sore back, and finished with 23 carries for 66 yards for only 2.9 yards per carry. The Oakland running game has struggled mightily so far this season, and this game was no different.

Oakland’s defense did a great job in disrupting the Arizona offense, pressuring QB Matt Leinart early and often and forcing the rookie to make some hurried throws and some bad decisions. They held the Cardinals to only one third down conversion for the game, intercepted two Leinart passes, recorded a safety and held Arizona to only 50 yards on the ground, for a 2.5 yard per carry average. DL Derrick Burgess recorded five tackles and two sacks, and DB Michael Huff recorded the safety.

What you ought to know

QB Matt Leinart, Pass: 13 - 32 - 203 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - 5 - 0

Leinart and the Cardinals’ offense struggled to do anything against the Raiders. He was pressured frequently by the Raiders’ front seven, as the Arizona offensive line continued to struggle to both run and pass protect. For the game, Leinart finished 13 of 32 for 203 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. One of the reasons the Arizona offense struggled was their inability to convert on third downs. For the game, they finished only one of 11 on third downs, and also failed on their only fourth down conversion.

RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 13 - 34 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (3 targets)

James had another tough outing, rushing for only 34 yards on 13 carries and one reception for four yards. James seems to be running hard when he’s in space and not being hit behind the line of scrimmage, but the Arizona offensive line just isn’t getting it done. Not only have his rushing numbers taken a significant dive, but James is not involved in the passing game like he was in Indianapolis. Against Oakland, he was targeted only three times, catching one pass for four yards.

RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Ayanbadejo made a seven yard reception in the third quarter.

RB J.J. Arrington, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Arrington was targeted twice in the game, during the opening drive for the Cardinals and then for a nine yard reception that ended the game.

RB Marcel Shipp, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Shipp was tackled in the end zone for a loss of a yard and a safety for the Raiders.

WR Anquan Boldin, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 4 - 59 - 0 (13 targets)

Boldin was Leinart’s favorite target, getting 13 looks from his southpaw quarterback. However, he was unable to do much on those targets, catching only four passes for 59 yards and no touchdowns. Playing without fellow starting wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is undoubtedly a major change for the offense, but their sub par play against a struggling Raiders’ defense certainly doesn’t give fantasy owners a big vote of confidence in their new offensive coordinator.

WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 3 - 87 - 0 (7 targets)

Johnson stepped in for injured WR Larry Fitzgerald and responded with three catches for 87 yards. Johnson showed some big play ability, catching a 58 yard pass and also showed he has a good on the field IQ. He made a smart play, after a mid range reception, when he wasn’t touched by any Raiders’ defenders, got back to his feet, and gained some more yards after the catch.

WR Troy Walters, Rec: 2 - 38 - 0 (3 targets)

Walters was targeted three times for the game, catching two passes for 38 yards. Two of his three catches resulted in first downs.

WR Larry Fitzgerald (7 targets)

Johnson stepped in for injured WR Larry Fitzgerald and responded with three catches for 87 yards. Johnson showed some big play ability, catching a 58 yard pass and also showed he has a good on the field IQ. He made a smart play, after a mid range reception, when he wasn’t touched by any Raiders’ defenders, got back to his feet, and gained some more yards after the catch.

PK Neil Rackers 3 - 4 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 9 points

Rackers hit on field goals from 29, 45 and 38 yards, but missed an attempt from 49 yards out. He did not attempt an extra point, finishing with nine points for the game.

ARI Rush Defense

The Cardinals gave up 137 yards on 37 carries, for a 3.7 yard per carry average. They also gave up a rushing score from one yard out, but were able to shut down the Raiders’ rushing attack for the most part. While the Oakland backs have struggled so far this season, Arizona’s job was a lot easier with an injured LaMont Jordan on the sideline.

LB Gerald Hayes led the way with ten solo tackles and three assists, and the Cardinal defenders were able to force, and recover, three fumbles.

ARI Pass Defense

Arizona had a tough time defending Oakland WR Randy Moss, and the Raiders passing attack as a whole. They gave up numerous big plays through the air, and as a result, Oakland averaged 14.7 yards per reception. Moss scored on the only passing touchdown of the game, and finished with over 100 yards as virtually the only weapon in a mediocre offense.

QB Andrew Walter, Pass: 17 - 30 - 263 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Walter was on his way to one of the best statistical games of his career before being injured in the third quarter. Prior to leaving in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, he was 17 of 30 for 263 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also lost two fumbles, both of which led to Arizona field goals. His touchdown pass came on a connection with WR Randy Moss from 32 yards out. Walter also made his share of big plays, connecting with Moss on another 32 yard pass play that set up Oakland’s first score, as well as a 35 yard completion to TE Courtney Anderson that let to a Janikowski field goal. His hamstring injury was odd as it occurred not in the open field running or cutting, but when he was tackled awkwardly and his leg was bent at an odd angle.

QB Marques Tuiasosopo, Pass: 2 - 4 - 16 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 20 - 0

Tuiasosopo came out of the bull pen in the second half in relief of injured starter Andrew Walter. He was unable to lead the offense on any scoring drives, and finished just two of three passing for 16 yards. Tuiasosopo did have three rushes for 20 yards and showed some of the mobility and scrambling ability he has in the past.

RB Justin Fargas, Rush: 23 - 66 - 0

Fargas received the bulk of the carries filling in for Jordan, rushing the ball 23 times for 66 yards. He struggled to find much running room, and at times left himself very vulnerable to the Arizona defenders, getting hit hard on more than a few of those carries. His yard per carry average was only 2.9 for the game, and he had a long run of only 14 yards. While the 23 carries is something to grab your attention, the result of those carries is enough to make you think the problem with the Oakland running game is not just LaMont Jordan.

RB Zack Crockett, Rush: 8 - 44 - 0, Rec: 3 - 20 - 0 (3 targets)

Without Jordan in the lineup, Crockett’s numbers received a little boost. He carried the ball eight times for 44 yards, and also caught all three passes thrown to him for 20 yards.

RB ReShard Lee, Rush: 2 - 7 - 1, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Lee only saw two rushes but made the most of his time scoring on a one yard play in the first quarter. He caught one pass for nine yards.

RB LaMont Jordan

Jordan was active for the game, and was on the sideline trying to get loose before kickoff, but never stepped on the field. It was mentioned he was trying to stretch out his back, and throughout the game Jordan was shown pacing the sidelines and it looked like he wanted on the field.

WR Randy Moss, Rec: 7 - 129 - 1 (14 targets)

Moss had one of his better games so far this year, at least statistically, but he does not seem to be the same Randy Moss he was in the past. His numbers pleased fantasy owners, as he caught seven passes for 129 yards, including a 32 yard touchdown reception. However, he was targeted fourteen times in the game, and could have finished with double digits in receptions had he not had so many drops. Moss had at least four very catchable balls go in and out of his hands, and even drew a few boos from the Raider Nation.

WR Ronald Curry, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rec: 3 - 42 - 0 (5 targets)

Curry finished with 42 yards on three receptions, and was targeted five times. Curry also attempted a pass, but threw an interception on the play in an attempt to connect with fellow wideout Randy Moss.

WR Alvis Whitted, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (5 targets)

Whitted caught two balls for 24 yards and was targeted five times in the game.

TE Courtney Anderson, Rec: 3 - 55 - 0 (4 targets)

Anderson was targeted four times, catching three passes for 55 yards. His catches netted positive results for the Raiders, as three of them resulted in first downs.

PK Sebastian Janikowski 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Janikowski hit field goals from 31 and 35 yards out and made good on both of his extra point attempts to finish with eight points.

OAK Rush Defense

The Raiders did a nice job containing Arizona RB Edgerrin James, holding him to 34 yards on 13 carries, and limiting the Cardinals to 2.5 yards per rush for the game. They gave up only one rushing first down and forced Arizona to become a one dimensional passing offense.

LB Kirk Morrison and DL Derrick Burgess each had five tackles to lead the Raider defense, and DB Michael Huff tackled Arizona RB Marcel Shipp in the end zone for a safety in the third quarter.

OAK Pass Defense

Oakland was able to shut down the Arizona passing game and limit the big plays by putting constant pressure on Matt Leinart and playing a physical game downfield against the Cardinal receivers. They held Arizona to one of 11 on third downs, sacked Leinart three times, as well as intercepted two passes.

DL Derrick Burgess recorded two sacks and DB Tyrone Poole had an interception and a sack for the Raider defense.