The NFL is all about attrition and how a team can overcome problems over the course of the season. It was hard to get past that thought on Sunday as the struggling Cardinals tried to win on the road in a game they had to have and most assumed they would, but still couldn’t.

The fact that they were working overtime meant something. The way the Carolina game ended, the Cards seemed dead a few times, but CPR brought their chances back to life. However, getting into a 17-point hole can’t happen. That was the controllable part. Losing James Conner, among other things? That’s uncontrollable, and that was probably the crippling blow.

Jonathan Gannon won’t say that. He shouldn’t do it either. But Conner is Conner, and he was the reason the Cardinals got back in the game in the first place.

It’s a short week to prepare for the surging Rams, and fewer days for a Conner, a Jonah Williams, a Paris Johnson or a Mack Wilson to get healthy isn’t ideal.

“We’re going to give it our all and play hard in the next two games,” defensive lineman LJ Collier said after the playoff exit. “We won’t back down if that’s what you expect.”

That’s what Gannon – as always balanced in his post-game comments – wants. That’s the approach he needs from his team. Expectations will be high next year. But there are still two games left for this season.

– On Murray’s third-down interception in the fourth quarter when he rolled to his right and threw under Michael Wilson. He also had tight end Trey McBride over the line to get shorter. Murray admitted he had also seen McBride. He thought if he could get it to Wilson, it would be a touchdown.

– McBride was not a factor. He had three catches for 20 yards (although he did have an 11-yard catch on the first play of the game when Harrison was flagged for offensive offsides). Harrison said he checked with the official and would normally receive a warning if he was in an offside position. ) McBride drew a pass interference call in the end zone that led to DeeJay Dallas’ TD.

– The touchdown for Dallas was his first on offense since he scored two rushing TDs and had a receiving TD for the Seahawks in 2021. Dallas scored on a kickoff return for the Cardinals in Week 1.

– Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray are still trying to find total chemistry. On the first drive of the game, Murray threw a pass deep that Harrison interpreted as a short pass, another miscommunication that could have resulted in an interception. Harrison and Murray also failed to get an end zone fade. Harrison finished the game with four catches for 39 yards on eight targets.

– In addition to the loss of right tackle Jonah Williams to a knee injury and the loss of running back James Conner to a knee injury, the Cardinals also had both special teams star Joey Blount (ribs) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (neck) out of the game .

Bryce Young was by no means spectacular. But he had two TD passes, didn’t turn the ball over and managed 68 yards rushing – an issue that Gannon said was particularly a problem in the first half.

– Murray’s 20-yard TD run was a designed run and looked beautiful. He ran the ball well several times. It makes a difference when he does.

– Gannon said he really didn’t think twice about scoring fourth-and-2 in overtime on his own 19-point game. Michael Carter picked up four yards on the carry, although they stalled right after.

“I wanted to win the game,” Gannon said. “I knew that if we didn’t do it we would lose the game. But we had a good feel for the game and I thought if we got it done, we would kick a field goal to win the game.”

-The running back situation could get very interesting if Trey Benson’s ankle doesn’t improve and Conner can’t walk. Carter, Dallas and Tony Jones Jr. in LA?

– The final word goes to seasoned veteran Kelvin Beachum, who played left tackle for Johnson and will also have to start somewhere next week due to injury numbers.

“(Legendary coach) Bill Parcells says, ‘You are what your record says. Our balance sheet is what it promises. I won’t try to sugarcoat it.”

That’s all for tonight. Time to fly home.