The Cardinals’ rebuilding effort comes to an end with a humiliating 42-14 loss to the Commanders

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kyler Murray had just a few moments to look downfield early in the third quarter before being manhandled by Washington’s Bobby Wagner and Daron Payne and another sack on a miserable day for the Arizona Cardinals plugged in.

One ineffective play later, the quarterback trotted off the field while boos rained down on him from the home crowd.

Arizona’s rebuilding took a step backwards a demoralizing 42-14 loss for the Commanders on Sunday. The Cardinals (1-3) took an early 7-0 lead but were outplayed in virtually every way over the next three and a half quarters.

“Something has to change,” Murray said. “We weren’t good enough today. They exploited our weaknesses, we didn’t play complementary football. We have to get better in every phase of the game. That wasn’t the type of football we want to play.”

Murray connected with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 2-yard touchdown on the opening drivebut Washington responded with two straight touchdowns and Arizona couldn’t respond before it was too late.

One reason the Cardinals’ offense stalled was that Harrison virtually disappeared in the second and third quarters. He finished the game with five catches for 45 yards.

“We have to get our best players the ball,” Murray said. “When we’re doing well, you can feel it.”

Murray completed 16 of 22 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. James Conner had a 6-yard touchdown run to cut the Commanders’ lead to 27-14 late in the third quarter, making things briefly competitive, but the Commanders responded with another touchdown run, capped by one Daniels topped off a 10-yard throw from rookie Jayden to Terry McLaurin.

Arizona’s defense had few answers to stop Daniels, the rookie who stunned the NFL in four games. He completed 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown and also ran 9 yards for a touchdown.

The Commanders ran for 216 yards and controlled the offensive line from the start.

“We didn’t stop the run well enough,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We play defense behind the 8-ball all day and it’s a tough road. Give these guys credit, this is a good offense. They are well coached and made a lot of plays.”

Gannon is in his second season leading the Cardinals’ rebuild, and this was one of the first real stinkers of his tenure. Even after losing games to the Bills and Lions in the first three weeks, players and coaches were generally thrilled with how they competed against two of the NFL’s better teams.

There wasn’t much positive to report from Sunday.

“That was the first time we got beat like that,” Gannon said. “If you keep doing the same thing, you demand the same result. We are very process-oriented and I trust our process, but everyone needs to take a hard look, point their thumb at themselves, starting with me, and we need to make some adjustments.”

The Cardinals have a 4-8 record since Murray – a two-time Pro Bowl player – returned from a knee injury midway through last season.

“It’s a game, the season isn’t over yet,” Murray said. “We just have to look in the mirror and get better. That’s what matters because no one panics. We were just beaten.”

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