THE STORY: Paris Johnson Jr. is one of the Cardinals who is there, win or loss, every game to explain himself to the media (and public) of what happened in the game just completed.
Sunday, after a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium that for a third straight defeat came on a field goal on the game's final snap, the left tackle was there again. Again, he knew he was saying many of the same things.
"Finish, finish, finish," Johnson said, adding, "at the end of the day, why we do we have to be close? That's the thing we are allowing to happen."
The Cardinals (2-3) were left stunned after another close loss, one that looked nothing like the fiery start when Marvin Harrison Jr. had a highlight 43-yard catch over two defenders and the team built a 21-6 lead.
Then running back Emari Demercado had what should've been a 72-yard game-clinching touchdown run become a 71-yard turnover when he let the ball go right before he crossed the goal line, turning it into a touchback. And then a Rabbit Taylor-Demerson interception – again, a play that could've (or should've) sealed things up, turned into a fumble in the Titans end zone that Tennessee recovered.
That made it a two-point game before the Titans (1-4) managed to force a punt and drive for the game-winning points.
"I don't know what to think about that," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "That was 'How to lose a game 101.' That was crazy."
The quarterback later said his emotions were raw. Asked how this loss felt for him over the ones he has had in his career, he acknowledged "this may be number one."
"That's three games in a row where I am saying the same thing," coach Jonathan Gannon said, taking the bulk of responsibility.
"I've got to go back to my drawing board."
The Cardinals got 300 yards of offense for the first time this season (361). They were efficient in the red zone, with touchdowns on 3 of 4 trips. But they had penalties that ruined what could have been an epic showing, like a hold that cost tight end Trey McBride a 32-yard catch.
Guard Will Hernandez returned to the lineup after a year away and played the first four series, within which the Cardinals scored their three touchdowns. On a snap count after so much time away, Jon Gaines II replaced him in the lineup afterward. The Cardinals rushed for a season-best 169 yards, a number buoyed by Demercado's long run.
"We have spurts in the game (when) we can do whatever we want," Gannon said.
Prior to the Titans' final possession, the Cardinals, nursing a two-point lead, generated a first down, but their final three plays, three runs netted three yards.
"I understand what we were trying to do there but we just have to look, did we give them the best chance to get a first down there?" Gannon said. "We have to look at it. Typically you are trying to make them burn timeouts where that was on the clock. I get it. I just have to do a better job trying to get a first down."
Gannon added, "(Offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) obviously is calling the game, but I know what he's calling."
Gannon emphasized the game did not come down to one play, a reference to Demercado's turnover. That went back to Johnson's point of finishing, which only becomes more crucial with games against the 4-1 Colts in Indianapolis and the 2-1-1 Packers at State Farm Stadium the week after.
"The clock is ticking," Gannon said. "It doesn't matter if you are a number one overall pick, a Pro Bowl safety a third-year head coach, a first-year assistant. It doesn't matter."
The Cardinals don't want to be in position to have Johnson have to give the same answers after another game.
"The goal right now is to not let this deflate the energy," Johnson said. "This is Week 5, we have 12 games to go. The story of the Cardinals is not done yet."
TURNING POINT: The fumble by Demercado stung, but it was actually a takeaway by the Cardinals – the thing defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has been stressing – that shifted the game. The Taylor-Demerson interception was a fantastic pick in the red zone off a tipped pass by linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. But the body control needed to make the grab by Taylor-Demerson also meant he was off-balance. He put the ball away to secure the play, but fell down, with the ground popping the ball loose.
Fellow defensive back Kei'Trel Clark went to grab the ball, but accidentally kicked it toward the Titans end zone, where veteran receiver Tyler Lockett fell on it for Tennessee. From getting the ball with a nine-point edge to a sudden two-point deficit was a jarring turn of events.
THE STANDOUTS: Harrison started with a bang and ended up with a season-best 98 yards receiving on four catches. Trey McBride's numbers weren't great (5-41) but he made an outstanding 12-yard third-down conversion at one point. Josh Sweat had two more sacks and now has five on the season.
INJURY UPDATE: Tight end Tip Reiman was carted off with an ankle injury. He had a brace on his right leg after he slid to try and make a catch in the third quarter. Rookie linebacker Cody Simon left the game in the first half with a knee injury, the second time he's had to leave a game this season. (He suffered a concussion last month.)
Murray left the game with a foot issue and went to the locker room but returned after one play. Asked about the issue, Murray said "we'll see."
