Bird Bits: Cardinals hit historic rock bottom in Seattle

Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a football game. So, we will give you Bird Bits providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Cardinals’ 58-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Story:

The Arizona Cardinals turned back to John Skelton in Week 14, but it only seemed to make matters worse in Seattle. The Seahawks defense forced an astounding eight turnovers, and Pete Carroll’s squad coasted to a 58-0 laugher over the hapless Cardinals.

The 58-0 loss was the worst in franchise history. The previous mark was set in a 49-0 beat down by the Kansas City Chiefs on December 1, 2002. Arizona has now lost nine games in a row for the first time since moving to the Valley back in 1988.

In the victory, Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns.

In defeat, Skelton — who was pulled in the third quarter — threw for just 74 yards to go along with a career-high four interceptions. Three of those interceptions came on throws intended for Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald finished with only one catch for two yards.

The Good:

It’s not easy to find silver linings in the team’s worst loss in franchise history.

Patrick Peterson recorded his team-high sixth interception on the season in the second quarter. It was only the second pick Russell Wilson had thrown over his last six games.

The Bad:

Where to begin.

In addition to Skelton’s turnover-filled day, Patrick Peterson had a horrific afternoon in the return game.

In the second quarter alone, Peterson muffed/fumbled two punts, one of which was returned by Malcolm Smith for a touchdown. It was the first muffed punt returned for a touchdown since Quincy Butler of the St. Louis Rams pulled off the feat in 2009.

The six first half turnovers speak for itself, but even when the Cardinals weren’t handing over the football, they weren’t exactly moving the football. After going 0-for-15 on third down conversions in Week 13 against the New York Jets, the Cardinals followed it up by going 4-for-13 against the Seahawks.

Arizona had 29 rushing yards in the first half and down big coming out of halftime ran sparingly over the final 30 minutes. For the game, the Cardinals finished with 43 yards on the ground.

Noted:

• Arizona gave up a franchise-high 58 points Sunday. Previously the team had given up 56 to the New York Jets (2008) and Philadelphia Eagles (1954).

• The current nine-game losing streak is the longest in franchise history since the team was still in Chicago back in 1944.

• Speaking of records not set since their Chicago days, the 38 points given up by the Cardinals were the most given up by the franchise in the first half of a game since the Chicago Cardinals gave up 38 to the Washington Redskins on November 9, 1958.

• The Seahawks set franchise records for most points (38) and turnovers forced (6) in a half.

• The Cardinals were last held scoreless back on September 14, 2003 by the same Seattle Seahawks.

• Stat of the afternoon: Arizona had only two more first downs (10) than turnovers (8).

• During their nine-game slide, the Cardinals have given up six non-offensive touchdowns.

Coming Up Next:

The Cardinals will return home to University of Phoenix Stadium to face the offensive-minded Detroit Lions next Sunday at 2:25 p.m. Arizona is already 0-2 against NFC North teams this year.