Analysis of Nick Rallis' Cover 6 Part 2: What Went Right

                                              photo courtesy of Arizona Cardinals

By Walter Mitchell

Yesterday we took a close look at the Cardinals early defensive flaws in their Cover 6 schemes. 

From the second quarter on, Nick Rallis was able to adjust with stickier coverages. 

As Sam said so aptly on the RRP, the stickier pass coverage led to a much-improved pass rush to the tune of generating 4 sacks on Justin Herbert, the first of which came here by Dante Stills in the clutch. 

We are going to let the pictures and play videos tell the story. See and enjoy for yourselves.

Play 1 

ARI 10 LAC 7

Q2 2:00

4th and goal at ARI 3-yard line



Result
 
Click here to watch play video:

https://x.com/NFL/status/2099249658052964493?s=20

Sack

(Shotgun) J.Herbert sacked at ARZ 13 for -10 yards (D.Stills).

Cardinals' ball, 1st and 10


Play 2


ARI 10 LAC 7

12:17 - 3rd

3rd & 5 at LAC 42


Result

Click here to watch play video:

https://x.com/SportsFanInAz/status/2099258240903389529?s=20

Incompletion

(Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete short middle to T.Harris (M.Melton).
Forces Chargers to punt

Play 3

ARI 16 LAC 14

0:23 - 3rd.

3rd & 16 at LAC 18


Result

Click here to watch play video:

https://x.com/AryePulliNFL/status/2099266306721620233?s=20

Incompletion

(Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete short right to L.McConkey (Ma.Wilson). LAC-L.McConkey was injured during the play.
Forces Chargers to punt

Play 4

ARI 23 LAC 14

9:50 - 4th

1st & 10 at LAC 40


Result

Click here to watch play video:

https://x.com/alex_m_taylor22/status/2099272478313140446?s=20
 
Interception

(Shotgun) J.Herbert pass deep right intended for D.Davis INTERCEPTED by A.Wingard at ARZ 5. A.Wingard to ARZ 5 for no gain (D.Davis).Penalty on LAC-C.Strange, Offensive Holding, declined.

Red Rain Question:

What's your assessment of what you saw and felt about the Cardinals' defense on these plays and throughout the game?








Comments

  1. Flash87September 19, 2026 at 4:48 AM

    It felt like we finally had a defense on the field. Between pass break ups big hits and defensive front pressure ...where has this team been? Some of our fundamentals seem better. Zach Ethridge from the U seems to have our secondary popping. Defemsive line coach Kwiakoski from. Texas looks like he reinvented the line. Nolen was getting double teamed a lot.Both he and Sweat are working themselves into game shape.Stills has reenergized the entire line. If we can pull off the win this week Cards fans are going to be staring at a 2-0 record and an entirely new horizon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyle LedbetterSeptember 20, 2026 at 8:15 AM

      Nolen has a chance to make All-Pro this year, the way teams are playing him!!!

      He might finally be the stud defender the Cardinals have been craving for since what... JJ Watt???

      Delete
  2. sneakyjobuSeptember 19, 2026 at 7:29 AM

    Excellent film breakdown! My assessment of the Cardinals D against LAC is that they were playing tighter coverage in the 2nd half and need to continue to work on the communication aspect. I believe the sample size for Rallis needs to be atleast 6 games before we can place a true evaluation on his offseason scheme adjustments.

    One common theme that I have noticed over the years is our corners passing off the WR or TE in zone, the CB picks up a ghost in the flat and then no one else(FS/SS) is assigned and then a wide open catch 15 to 20 yards down the field happens. We need to simplify our assignments, create man matchups after the first 5 to 10 yards downfield and reduce these easy catches. Teams are going to get their yards against us because lets face it we are running B- personnel at the corner position, that is one of our glaring weaknesses is that we don't have elite talent at corner. I think a nice hybrid mix of zone and man is the solution or playing man in off coverage to avoid the picks and double moves.

    Also another tidbit: Will Johnson always seems to be running with 3 to 4 yards of spacing against a WR in coverage, I am not sure if he is incapable of man coverage or this is just coaching but he is a vulnerability in our secondary right now and just looks lost most of the time. Now to go watch ASU in London today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kyle LedbetterSeptember 20, 2026 at 8:16 AM

    Watching both of these film breakdowns back again, Mack Wilson Sr was definitely the defensive MVP of this game!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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