This problem with Cardinals defense has caused 2-5 start

Cardinals pass rush stats:

• Pressure Rate: 28.1% (21st)
• Pressure to Sack Rate: 15.0% (29th)
• Sack Rate: 4.2% (28th)
• Blitz Rate: 19.3% (28th)
• Non-Blitz Pressure Rate: 28.3% (22nd)
• Pass Rush Win Rate: 40% (12th)

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis doesn’t blitz often and typically only rush four. Despite the talent in the front seven, Arizona isn’t able to create enough pressure to get into opposing quarterbacks airspace. This past Sunday, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love took advantage of a clean pocket by converting on a 4th-and-2 to tight end Tucker Kraft, while facing little pressure.

The defensive intensity takes a dip for Arizona. In the first three quarters, Green Bay was one-for-six on third downs, and in the final quarter was two-for-four. Against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, the Cardinals generated zero third-down stops in the fourth quarter.

If a team doesn’t generate pressure, it makes the secondary’s job much harder to cover their assignment for an impossible amount of time. Arizona’s cornerback room is already inexperienced enough, if a Pro-Bowl quarterback like Love is given more than three or four seconds to make a read, then it’s over.

The secondary isn’t completely innocent, allowing an obscene 105.9 4th quarter passing yards per game. Despite the high number, the defensive back room has been decimated with injuries, putting inexperienced players like fifth-round pick Denzel Burke and Kei’Trel Clark in positions they haven’t been in before.

This is when the Cardinals need $77 million man in edge Josh Sweat or old man defensive lineman Calais Campbell to make a play in the trenches. Through seven weeks, Sweat, Campbell and the rest of the pass rush hasn’t done enough to win their team games in the fourth quarter.