ATLANTA – Only a few days earlier, Steve Wilks explained that, even in the rough times, it made sense to keep playing rookie quarterback Josh Rosen.
The reps – and the experience – were invaluable. There were things to be learned, even with mistakes or getting hit.
Then Sunday, as too much time remained on the clock in a game long since over, the coach took his QB out, the pounding too much. "It was the smart decision," the head coach said, after backup Mike Glennon guided the offense at the end of an ugly 40-14 loss to the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But Rosen isn't going anywhere. He will start next week in the home finale against the Rams, and barring something similarly ugly, he won't be taken out again.
"I would be worried, but Josh is not wired like most guys," wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "Honestly, to see him on a good day, after a win, his emotions are the same. As a rookie, he's got a great disposition about him. I'm not worried about that. It was a rough game for all of us, but (Josh) is going to be fine."
The Falcons sacked Rosen six times (and got Glennon once), a season-high for a defense that had struggled to get to the quarterback. They got three turnovers, intercepting Rosen twice and getting a strip-sack, with the first interception a batted ball that linebacker Deion Jones returned 41 yards for a touchdown.
That came early, after the Cardinals (3-11) had a 7-0 lead when Rosen directed a 64-yard opening touchdown drive highlighted by a beautiful 40-yard deep ball to running back David Johnson.
Post-interception, the Falcons turned up the pressure. There were times Rosen could have thrown it sooner, but an inexperienced fill-in offensive line broke down and an equally struggling receiving corps was not enough of a threat. There was nothing good that was going to come of it.
"It was frustrating," Rosen said. "A couple were my fault … I've got to play better. We've all got to play better, but I don't want anyone to look into the stats and think everything is on the O-line."
Rosen completed 13-of-22 passes for 132 yards. Glennon, with the Falcons (5-9) knowing the game was in hand, was able to complete 10-of-14 throws for 111 yards and a late touchdown to Trent Sherfield, the rookie's first NFL score.
"It was not the ideal day at the office," guard Oday Aboushi said. "It had a lot to do with everybody, but at the end of the day (sacks) are a stat that falls on us."
Fitzgerald got some late work to finish with seven catches for 82 yards, one of his better games. But it was statistical filler in a game long decided. A more critical stat was the 215 yards rushing by Atlanta, a team that came into the game last in the league in running the ball. Falcons running back Tevin Coleman had only 11 carries but 145 yards.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, ran for a total of 60 yards. Outside of the opening 64-yard drive, the Rosen-led offense could only generate 89 yards before Glennon came in.
"I take full responsibility for what happened," Wilks said. "It's not acceptable. Not even close."
At this point in the season, victories aren't atop the priority list. It's Rosen, and taking him out of a game was about the Falcons, not about the rest of the season. Rosen wants that chance to work through mistakes, noting that they can sit with him during a game, they sit with him postgame and again Monday.
Then, Rosen said, he has to put it behind him. That's why he wants to play, why sitting out is important to him.
"Because I messed up a lot of reps," Rosen said. "Hopefully I don't mess those up in the future."
Fitzgerald insisted he didn't have the answer on how to deal with Rosen in the final two games. But he understands the thought process of getting the rookie out there, even in rough seas like Sunday.
"I'm not quarterback guru," Fitzgerald said. "I don't know the recipe for that stuff. I know he's the quarterback of the future here and getting reps and dealing with adversity will teach him.
"This is definitely not what you want, but this is his team. He is taking control of this offense, and we have to stand behind him."
Images from the Week 15 contest in Atlanta
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) runs back to the bench after he returned an interception for touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Atlanta. When healthy, Jones is a big-time playmaker the Falcons defense has sorely lacked. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Mired at the bottom of the NFL standings with two weeks to go in the season, the Cardinals go back to work on the practice field as they prepare to host te Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Mired at the bottom of the NFL standings with two weeks to go in the season, the Cardinals go back to work on the practice field as they prepare to host te Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) as he scores on a pass from Matt Ryan during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Bruce Irvin (52) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
QB Mike Glennon passes in the fourth quarter against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talk after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 40-14.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) fends off Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) leaps into the end zone as he scores on a pass from Matt Ryan during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich (left) speaks with QB Mike Glennon (right)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) recovered a fumble as Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Korey Cunningham defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald unleashes an epic truck stop in the fourth quarter
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) prepares to cause a fumble against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Marvin Hall (17) fends off Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals WR Trent Sherfield scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) falls into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson on the punt return in the second half against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works out of the pocket against Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
RB David Johnson on a carry in the second half against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a touchdown catch against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) falls short of the goal line against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks speaks to field judge Rick Patterson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
RB David Johnson with the 40-yard reception in the first quarter
Cardinals QB Josh Rosen is sacked
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) runs back to the bench after he intercepted the ball and ran it in for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
DE Markus Golden sacks Falcons QB Matt Ryan
RB David Johnson crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the first quarter
WR Larry Fitzgerald with the catch
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back David Amerson (38) defends in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons , Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
The Cardinals prepare to run out of the tunnel at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Cardinals fans in the stands before the game
Josh Rosen during pregame warm ups
RB David Johnson arrives for the game
CB Patrick Peterson arrives for the game
WR Larry Fitzgerald arrives for the game
Cardinals fans in the stands
