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Cardinals Collapse in Week 1 Loss to Commanders

The Arizona Cardinals couldn't quite hold on to their lead in the late stages of their loss against the Washington Commanders.

Donnie Druin

Cardinals Collapse in Week 1 Loss to Commanders
Cardinals Collapse in Week 1 Loss to Commanders /
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The Arizona Cardinals looked as if they were ready to shock the world on Sunday, leading the Washington Commanders in surprise fashion for the entire third quarter before ultimately slipping on the road in a 20-16 loss to open the regular season. 

Here's how the action unfolded:

First Quarter

The Cardinals won the toss and deferred, allowing Commanders QB Sam Howell to take the field first. Washington was unable to create anything past their initial first-down gain, punting away to open the game.

Josh Dobbs made his way to the field for Arizona but was unable to find any success. 

Washington opened the scoring on the next drive partly thanks to 67 penalty yards from Arizona, two of which were personal fouls before a pass interference penalty set Howell up to find Brian Robinson in the end zone.

WAS 7, AZ 0

Dobbs would push the Cardinals down the field and nearly found Zach Ertz for a touchdown on the ensuing drive, but the ball was just inches out of reach for Ertz to safely come down with. Matt Prater knocked home a short field goal to put Arizona on the board.

WAS 7, AZ 3

Second Quarter

Zaven Collins produced the first turnover of the day, sitting in zone coverage and baiting Howell to throw - which he was successful in.

The Cardinals weren't able to do much with the new opportunity, though Prater banged home a 54-yard field goal to draw Arizona within one point.

WAS 7, AZ 6

With Washington driving, the Cardinals forced their second turnover of the day with Antonio Gibson fumbling the ball in the red zone. Collins again came away with the turnover with a fumble recovery, his second turnover on back to back drives.

With just a minute left, Cardinals DE Cameron Thomas picked up a scoop-and-score thanks to a Dennis Gardeck strip-sack to give Arizona the lead.

AZ 13, WAS 7

However, Howell would march Washington down the field and squeeze in one last field goal for the Commanders to draw within three points prior to halftime.

AZ 13, WAS 10

Third Quarter

The Cardinals came swinging out of the gates of the second half, impressively gaining first downs and threatening to take a double-digit lead when entering Washington's side of the field.

However, Washington held strong and forced Prater on the field for his third field goal try, which was good from 37 yards to push Arizona up by six.

AZ 16, WAS 10

It was a rather boring third quarter before the very end (two seconds left to be exact) where Washington forced their first turnover of the day with a strip-sack on Josh Dobbs.

Fourth Quarter

The Commanders re-took the lead early in the fourth quarter with Howell finding the end zone with his feet:

WAS 17, AZ 16

Looking to regain the lead with under five minutes left to play, Dobbs fumbled the snap and Washington jumped on the ball to retain possession deep in Arizona territory. 

The Commanders bled some clock before eventually settling for another Joey Slye field goal to extend their lead by four with just over two minutes left.

WAS 20, AZ 16

The Cardinals were unable to convert a 4th and 10, giving Washington the ball with 1:10 remaining. The Commanders ultimately bled the clock out to gain the opening day win.

Arizona returns home to host the New York Giants in Week 2. 

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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