By Lucas Vola – December 19, 2021 at 10:06 p.m.
And besides, there was no photo.
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Detroit Lions (2-11-1) – Arizona Cardinals (10-4) : 30-12
It was perhaps the most unbalanced game of the week, it was indeed one-sided. Clearly not the one we imagined. The Lions who had won only one meeting since the start of the season offer themselves a prestigious victory here. Above all, they didn’t steal it with dominance from both sides of the pitch. Jared Goff was very clean (21/26, 216 yards and 3 TDs) to validate the work of his ground game and his defense.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, have completely made it through. Kyler Murray (23/41, 257 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT) and his teammates have never been in and suffer a loss that they certainly did not foresee in the program.
Arizona still dominated on the lines
From the start of the game, the signals are bad for Arizona. Detroit’s first drive lasts almost 9 minutes. The Lions have decided to confiscate the ball and impose their will on this meeting from the start. They only emerge with three points from this first offensive series, but it will at least have the merit of giving them confidence. Make them understand that they have something to play for tonight. They are going to play it hard.
.@JaredGoff16 to @amonra_stbrown for the touchdown‼️#AZvsDET | ???? FOX pic.twitter.com/89gOT2SU0C
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 19, 2021
First offensively with two touchdowns in the first period. The first on a 37-yard pass from Jared Goff to Amon St. Brown (8 receptions, 90 yardset 1 TD), the second to Josh Reynolds on 22 yards. Each time at the end of drives of 93 and 97 yards. Even without TJ Hockenson, D’Andre Swift or Jamaal Williams, the offensive squad finds solutions. Particularly thanks to the Reynolds. Josh in the air (6 receptions, 68 yards and 1 TD) and Craig on the ground (26 runs and 112 yards). Above all, the offensive line dominates its vis-à-vis, giving the necessary latitude to this attack and to Jared Goff to gain rhythm. Already dominated on the lines last week against Los Angeles, the Cardinals are fishing again in this sector. Against Detroit’s offensive line, then, but also on the other side of the ball.
Because if the premises join the break with a score of 17-0, it is also because the defense is pulling out all the stops. Under pressure, Kyler Murray finds no rhythm. The absence of DeAndre Hopkins is felt and the ground game does not take over. James Conner (6 runs and 53 yards) and Chase Edmonds (8 runs and 39 yards) are struggling behind a line in arrears. Result, three punts and a fourth missed attempt on the opposing 3 yards. In the first period, visitors display only 85 yards in total. We do not recognize the team so dominant since the start of the season.
.@AmaniO with the full extension for the INT‼️#AZvsDET | ???? FOX pic.twitter.com/dWwcsDD6U0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 19, 2021
The open door for the Rams
Coming back from the locker room, it’s still not better for Kliff Kingsbury’s men. The handkerchiefs penalties continue to flow (7 for 83 yards) and even when the defense causes a turnover, a fumble recovered by Byron Murphy, the attack does not benefit. Worse, she responds with a loss of the ball itself: a magnificent interception from Godwin Igwebuike. 5 seconds later, Jared Goff launched his third touchdown of the match (24-3). A 6-yard pass for Jason Cabinda. The chalice to the dregs for the Cardinals.
Only two field goals of 29 yards come to lighten the score (24-6). Symbol of a team in difficulty in the opposing 20 yards tonight. In the last moments, Kyler Murray also adds an anecdotal touchdown on a 26-yard pass for Christian Kirk (9 receptions, 94 yards and 1 TD).
With this defeat, Arizona still does not validate its ticket for the playoffs. Above all, the Cardinals leave the door open for a return of the Rams in the lead in this NFC West. Kliff Kingsbury must re-mobilize his troops as a complicated schedule approaches (vs. Colts, @Cowboys and vs. Seahawks). For Detroit, this success will do people’s heads good and provide a foundation on which to build at the end of the season.
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