Recapping the key plays in Washington Football Team’s 30-15 loss vs. Cardinals

The Washington Football Team struggled against the Arizona Cardinals, and these plays were the difference-makers in the game for the team.

Okay – it wasn’t good. But it was a game. And it had plays. Here’s a look at 20 (or so) key ones in the Washington Football Team’s 30-15 loss to Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.

A tough start for Washington

Opening kickoff. It was a short kickoff that Steven Sims Jr. did nothing with, being stopped at the 20. To make matters worse, Cam Sims made an illegal block to set up Dwayne Haskins inside the 10 on the opening drive.

After a three-and-out, Tress Way punts. Cam Sims had good coverage on the play, but rookie Khaleke Hudson’s holding penalty gives Arizona excellent field position in Washington territory. How often does a hold on a punt go against the kicking team? I’m guessing somewhere between 1-of-50 times and never. This is not a promising start.

Arizona has little trouble moving the ball into the red zone, and then, on first-and-goal from the 8-yard-line, Murray freezes Landon Collins with a lightning-quick move and scores on a QB sweep. The TD is called back by a holding penalty on tight end Dan Arnold, but we get a glimpse of just how fast Kyler Murray is. It will not be a fleeting glimpse.

Third-and-goal from the 4-yard-line, Collins is again frozen, this time in coverage on DeAndre Hopkins. He does not drop back as Hopkins crosses the back of the end zone, leaving the Cardinals’ most dangerous receiver all alone for the first score of the game. Less than six minutes in, 7-0 Arizona.