LOS ANGELES – Despite talk of a more involved Patrick Peterson this season, Week 1 came and went with him mostly a spectator.
That changed in Sunday's 34-0 loss to the Rams, as the Pro Bowl cornerback was around the ball plenty. He finished tied for the team lead in tackles with eight and added an interception.
"I wish I could take that tackle I missed back (on a Todd Gurley touchdown run) but for the most part it feels good to be involved in the game and try to help my team win ballgames," Peterson said.
The interception came near the goalline when Jared Goff rolled to his right and tried to sneak a throw past Peterson.
"He came up with a big play," coach Steve Wilks said. "I thought we needed that. They were going in and had a little bit of momentum, so stopping them, that was great. We just couldn't capitalize off of it."
Peterson was a bigger part of the action because he did not track Los Angeles' No. 1 wideout, Brandin Cooks, but it was a double-edged sword.
Cooks took advantage of avoiding Peterson, catching seven passes for 159 yards. Goff finished 24-of-32 for 354 yards and a touchdown, regularly finding holes in the Cardinals' zone defense, often from a clean pocket.
"I've got to look at the tape, but when you're playing zone you have to rely on the front getting pressure there, getting hands up," Peterson said. "We weren't able to create pressure up front, and a quarterback as good as Goff, as he's shown so far, it's tough. There are going to be holes in the defense. We just have to continue fighting up front to make sure we get to him, get him off his spot."
FITZGERALD LEAVES GAME WITH HAMSTRING INJURY
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald aggravated a hamstring injury that had been lingering the past 10 days and missed the end of the contest. Coach Steve Wilks said he didn't want to put Fitzgerald back in the game because of the lopsided score.
"I don't know how effective I would have been, but I could have managed my way through," Fitzgerald said. "I don't know if that would have done anybody any good."
Fitzgerald, who finished the game with three catches for 28 yards, said the issue came up as he dove for a pass.
"I didn't feel it pop or anything like that, but it grabbed good enough where I know that if I kept going at it, it could have gotten much worse," Fitzgerald said. "I didn't want to add insult to injury."
GERALD HODGES STARTS ON DEFENSE
Linebacker Gerald Hodges started the game in place of Deone Bucannon. The Cardinals were hoping to be better against the run, and it had the intended effect as the Rams only averaged 2.7 yards per carry after the Redskins gashed the Cardinals in the opener.
Gurley finished with 19 carries for 42 yards, although he did score three touchdowns. Hodges finished with four tackles. Bucannon played in passing situations and finished with one tackle.
Images from the Cardinals' Week 2 matchup in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, right, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods, right, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley scores past Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
S Tre Boston arrives
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jamar Taylor during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
WR Larry Fitzgerald
QB Sam Bradford
The Cardinals run out of the tunnel at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford looks too pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
The Cardinals' pregame huddle
RB David Johnson on the carry
Cardinals QB Sam Bradford drops back to pass
WR Larry Fitzgerald corrals the catch
The Cardinals and Rams at the line of scrimmage
Sam Bradford
DE Benson Mayowa lays a hit on Rams QB Jared Goff
WR Larry Fitzgerald on the sideline
Rams WR Brandin Cooks is tackled by Cardinals CB Jamar Taylor.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp is tackled by Cardinals LB Gerald Hodges.
Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks a field goal during the first half.
Rams wide receiver Robert Woods is tackled by Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston.
Cardinals QB Sam Bradford gets sacked by Rams LB Samson Ebukam during the first half.
Rams RB Todd Gurley
Cardinals QB Sam Bradford passes against the Rams
Rams WR Cooper Kupp is tackled by Cardinals S Antoine Bethea.
Rams running back Todd Gurley scores against the Cardinals
Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks
The Cardinals line up against the Rams
Rams WR JoJo Natson is tackled by Cardinals S Rudy Ford
QB Sam Bradford
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is tackled by Rams defensive back John Johnson (bottom) and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.
QB Sam Bradford at the line
Rams RB Todd Gurley scores
Rams WR Brandin Cooks catches a pass over Cardinals S Budda Baker during the second half.
Cardinals LB Josh Bynes tackles Rams WR Cooper Kupp
Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals exit after the loss
