Why the Cardinals offense works under Brissett is simple

The Cardinals massive third down conversion improvement:

• Five five weeks: 27-68 (39.7%)
• Last two weeks: 16-28 (57.1%)

In the past three weeks, the offense is third in the NFL in third down conversions and it’s because of a drastic change in the passing game. The holes and weakness of the offense are still present. The run game is still stagnant, leading to short or zero yard gains on first and second down leading to third downs.

However, Brissett’s third down passing has been absurd, converting on multiple 3rd-and-long situations. The best example was on 3rd-and-23 vs. the Green Bay Packers near the end of the half. From previous weeks, the Cardinals are likely to throw a short pass or run to get off the field, but not with Brissett under center. Under pressure, Brissett lasers a 43-yard pass to Zay Jones to get the first down and eventually the touchdown.

Brissett’s pocket awareness and evasion of pressure has been sensational, especially against one of the toughest pass rushers in the game in Micah Parsons. The ability to keep plays alive, while having eyes down field, has allowed Cardinals wide receiver to illustrate their improvisation skills and find ways to get open that previously were unseen.

Third downs have become Arizona’s bread and butter. The offense has shutdown during those big plays and converting on 3rd-and-20 or 3rd-and-10 is deflating against opposing defense. Crushing the spirit of a defense by getting first downs is how teams win games, they find ways.

Unclear if Brissett will remain the starter of the team moving forward, but he has a serious case because the offense has never looked better on third down.