Crushing Christmas As Cardinals Fall To Colts

It wasn’t the Christmas the Cardinals wanted.

There is still no playoff spot, after the Cardinals fell to a much-depleted Indianapolis Colts team, 22-16, Saturday night at State Farm Stadium.

The Cardinals (10-5), who have lost three straight, can clinch a playoff spot Sunday if either the Vikings or Eagles lose, or Monday if the Saints lose. Pending the Vikings game against the Rams, the Cardinals are in second place in the NFC West for the the first time this season.

The Cards only punted once and did not turn the ball over, but continue to struggle to find offensive consistency. They took a safety on a bad snap, and penalties were a problem — 11 for 85 yards, including four false starts.

The Colts were missing four starters on defense — including Defensive Player of the Year candidate Darius Leonard — and three starting offensive linemen, the latter number growing to four in-game (plus top tight end Jack Doyle.)

But the Cardinals were without punter Andy Lee, who also holds for kicker Matt Prater. Prater ended up missing two field goals and an extra point against the Colts (9-6).

The Colts came into the game 8-0 when running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for at least 100 yards and 0-6 in games he did not. The defense didn’t do a bad job, but Taylor ended up with 108 yards on 27 carries.

More to come on azcardinals.com.