The Cardinals' defense had to be almost perfect on Sunday, and for a long time, it came close.
The Lions' passing game looked feeble and their running game average – until a pivotal fourth-quarter possession that iced the game. Detroit running back Zach Zenner punctuated a punishing 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run for the final blow in the Lions' 17-3 win over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Zenner carried the ball seven times on the possession for 42 yards. The Lions also gained 33 yards via penalty on the series, marching 75 yards without the benefit of a completion. The touchdown came immediately after the Cardinals pulled within 10-3 on a field goal.
"When the offense comes in bringing jumbo personnel like that, you pretty much know it's going to be a run," linebacker Haason Reddick said. "It's about who's getting more push on the line, who's stopping the A-gap and trying to build a wall so that there is nowhere to run.
"When situations like that come," Reddick added, "you handle it like grown men and do what you've got to do to get off the field."
The defense couldn't make the crucial stop, and attempting to overcome it proved fruitless for an offense which struggled throughout. Even though the late score was the knockout blow, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald put the onus on his side of the ball.
"The defense played a good game today," Fitzgerald said. "They played well enough for us to be able to win it."
One week after keeping Aaron Rodgers in check in Green Bay, the defense did another masterful job against the pass. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 15-of-23 for only 101 yards without a touchdown or an interception.
No player for Detroit had more than 30 receiving yards, and safety Budda Baker forced and recovered a fumble on a short pass to LeGarrette Blount in the first quarter.
The total rush defense wasn't bad, as the Cardinals gave up 122 rushing yards on 31 carries – an average of 3.9 per rush. The Lions' first touchdown of the game wasn't the defense's fault, either, as Detroit cornerback Darius Slay picked off quarterback Josh Rosen and returned it 67 yards for a score.
However, the late run-stopping issues on defense were magnified because of the situation.
"I thought the defense kept us in the game up until that point," coach Steve Wilks said. "They only gave up three points. When you look at that 75-yard drive, a lot of it was missed tackles. We were there. We just couldn't finish."
After a season's worth of offensive troubles, it would be easy for the defense to point fingers and lay blame on the other side of the ball, but safety Antoine Bethea said there is no frustration with the offensive hiccups.
"This is a team game – the ultimate team game," Bethea said. "There isn't going to be a situation where all three phases are going to be clicking every Sunday. If one phase isn't doing so well, another phase is going to have to pick them up."
The defense did so for much of the day but couldn't stop the Lions when it mattered most.
"Any time someone runs the ball, their line is getting push, we're not in our gaps and we're not tackling," Bethea said. "The formula is easy. It's not rocket science. On that last drive, that's what it really was."
Images from the Week 14 matchup at State Farm Stadium
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, in Glendale, Ariz. The Buffalo Bills (4-9) prepare to host the Detroit Lions (5-8) in a non-conference meeting of two teams under-going transitions. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) can't make the catch against the Detroit Lions during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal against the Detroit Lions as punter Andy Lee holds during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston defends during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 1,282nd career catch to surpass NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most receptions with one team in NFL history during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) defends, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back David Amerson defends during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) makes the tackle during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals RB David Johnson is short of the pylon
Detroit Lions strong safety Quandre Diggs (28) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Slay ran the catch back for a touchdown.
WR Larry Fitzgerald with his catch to move him past Jerry Rice for most all-time receptions for a single team
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) as linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) pursues during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks. left, greets Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) is knocked out of bounds by Detroit Lions defensive back Mike Ford (38) on a punt return during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cameron Malveaux (94) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals K Zane Gonzalez nails the field goal in the fourth quarter against the Lions
RB Chase Edmonds on the carry
Cardinals DE Cameron Malveaux sacks Lions QB Matthew Stafford
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) reacts to a dropped pass during the second half of NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 1,282nd career catch to surpass NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most receptions with one team in NFL history during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) defends, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws under pressure from Detroit Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) pulls in a pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) can't make the catch against het Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
WR Larry Fitzgerald holds onto the ball after his catch to move him past Jerry Rice for most all-time receptions for a single team
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) makes the stop during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson reacts after a punt return
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) for an incomplete pass during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis, left, during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals head coach Steve Walks watches from the sideline
Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) misses a field goal attempt as Detroit Lions defensive back Mike Ford (38) defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea, rear, and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick, center, during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cameron Malveaux defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Moore (56) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the first half of NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Bruce Ellington (12) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Game action between the Cardinals and Lions at State Farm Stadium
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Josh Rosen (3) talk it over prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks greets his players prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) greets fans prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon wears cleats in support of ALS research prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald wears cleats honoring the late U.S. Sen. John McCain prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals center Mason Cole (64) wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
