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Carson Palmer knocked out of game as Cardinals fall to 1-3

frank schwab
NFL writer

A championship window can close quickly. The Arizona Cardinals are finding that out.

The Cardinals had a shot at a title last season, but fell short to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC championship game. A conference championship game seems a galaxy away a quarter into this season. The Cardinals fell to 1-3 with an ugly 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, who find themselves a surprising 3-1.

A pass to Michael Floyd gets broken up against the Rams (AP)
A pass to Michael Floyd gets broken up against the Rams (AP)

As television cameras showed quarterback Carson Palmer going back to the locker room to be evaluated for a potential concussion, Case Keenum hit Brian Quick for a 4-yard touchdown with 2:36 to go to give the Rams a 17-13 lead. Palmer’s replacement Drew Stanton threw two interceptions in the final two minutes, including one on a last-play Hail Mary attempt, to ruin any comeback hopes.

Palmer got hurt in the fourth quarter when Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald hit him low and fellow defensive lineman Eugene Sims hit Palmer high. Palmer’s head hit the turf hard. Palmer was checked out on the sideline, then left for the locker room. The Cardinals also lost running back Chris Johnson when he went down in a heap with a groin injury.

Even if Palmer is fine to play next week, he’ll be coming back to a situation the Cardinals never expected to find themselves in.

The Cardinals have lost two home games already, and aside from an explosion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, their offense hasn’t looked anything like it did last season. There have been way too many turnovers, and opponents are taking away the big pass plays that are a staple of Bruce Arians’ offense. And after a terrible NFC championship game performance, Palmer’s struggles have continued into this season.

The Cardinals were one of the best teams in football last season, then added pieces like pass rusher Chandler Jones to take the final step to a Super Bowl. They had every reason to believe they were a Super Bowl contender. Now they’re looking up at the Seattle Seahawks and Rams in the NFC West. They’re tied with the San Francisco 49ers for last place.

The season isn’t over in Arizona. But the Cardinals have a long way to go before they can be a considered a championship contender again.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!