Birdgang MVP: Arizona Cardinals Regular Season Week 5
By Tony Burgess
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was an unrecognizable scene for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday as they would end a day adding an L to the loss column instead of a W like previous weeks. Understandably, this was against the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos who are contending for a super bowl shot this year. Still, this should not be the excuse the Cardinals should use as they try to figure out what went wrong on Sunday.
There would be several opportunities where the Cardinals could have put more points on the board or at least keep the ball a little longer out of the hands of Peyton Manning. Having 8 drops as a receiving core does not help when the backup to your backup at quarterback is checking into the game for his first NFL action either. Mental mistakes would hurt the Cards severely in this one.
The Cardinals had their chances. Heck, the Cardinals’ defense had 2 interceptions on Manning in the first half. Still, in the second half, Manning would keep putting points on the board while the Cardinals’ offense would become stagnant in an eventual 41-20 loss.
When the Cardinals lose, it is always more difficult to scout out a Cardinal MVP. With that said, there was one specific player on the Cards’ defense that really laid it all out on the field as the would lead the team in tackles with 7, have a pass deflection, and record an interception on Manning. This man is cornerback, Jerraud Powers.
Powers was all over the field on Sunday as he would do his best to limit the Broncos’ offense as much as he could. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for a defense to hold Manning down, let alone, only 1 player.
This is Powers’ first time being our BirdGang MVP and, hopefully, it is not his last as he would have a large part in keeping Manning in check for the 1st half of the game on Sunday.
We have to also give props to defensive linemen, Calais Campbell, for getting his own interception on a screen play Campbell sniffed out. Campbell could have returned the interception for a touchdown but would be stopped by, who else, Peyton Manning.
Next week, the Cards take on the Washington Redskins at 3:25ET in Arizona.
Click here to see their full schedule