Cardinals Report Card: John Skelton's passing numbers are deceiving
At this point, all talk of the Arizona Cardinals' 4-0 start can be stopped. This is a different team, a flawed team, and one that is vastly different from that squad. One that has lost five straight. One that is scrambling for good news. It won't find much here.
Offense: C-
When is a 300-yard passing game not a 300-yard passing game? When a 69.7 passer rating comes with it. QB John Skelton passed for a season-high 306 yards but completed just 23 of 46 passes and reached the end zone just once through the air. The running game, meanwhile, continued its pedestrian play, as RB LaRod Stephens-Howling was limited to 51 yards on 17 carries. The one glimpse of sunshine came in the form of pass protection -- the beaten-up Cardinals' line allowed just two sacks. Previous game's grade: D
Defense: D+
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is good, but his wide receiver corps is more bruised than a bag of apples after a bumpy flight. Still, Rodgers threw four touchdowns. The Cardinals held Rodgers to 14 of 30 passing, but Rodgers made the most of his throws, unlike Arizona's passing game. Rodgers got support from a similarly battered running game, as James Starks and Alex Green helped Green Bay total 176 rushing yards to Arizona's 54. Also, the Cardinals have been suffering from a recent lack of pressure, as they got to Rodgers for a sack just once. Previous game's grade: C-
Special teams: D
For every single absolutely fantastic moment that Patrick Peterson provided the return game last season, each ensuing dud game this year makes it that much worse. Peterson averaged just 4.8 yards per return and let a punt fall right between his hands and legs deep inside Arizona territory late in the game. Had the game been in doubt, the play would've lost it for the Cardinals. He needs to get his mojo back. Previous game's grade: C
Coaching: C-
We commiserate with coach Ken Whisenhunt. His Cardinals are just not in a position to compete with the Packers. But now that Arizona has lost five straight and things don't appear to be getting better, his seat must be getting warmer. Arizona was out of this game by halftime, and that's become an alarming theme. Previous game's grade: D
For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Jon Gold, follow @CBSCardinals on Twitter.
