By admin 
The most jarring stat from the Arizona Cardinals’ 36-30 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco last Sunday undoubtedly was the host’s point total. But there is another stat that may carry even more weight with defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ group.
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Nine. … The Cardinals have now gone nearly nine full quarters without a sack.
Locked On Cardinals host Alex Clancy argued that with that stat, combined with the final result in Week 3, the organization should fire Rallis immediately.
But this call goes beyond those two pieces of evidence. The signs can be seen throughout the game film. Exhibit C: With the 2-minute warning approaching and the Cardinals trailing by just 2, the 49ers faced a second and 10 from their own 46-yard line. The ball went to running back Christian McCaffrey, who appeared to be stopped at the line. Instead, he fought through a scrum for a 12-yard run. First down, ball on the Cardinals’ 42, and less than 2 minutes to play.
Four plays later, quarterback Brock Purdy hit tight end George Kittle for a 20-yard score to put the game away. Clancy viewed that sequence as an indictment of Arizona’s defensive urgency and preparation.
Clancy also cited the lack of pressure against Purdy, who shredded the Cardinals for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns without being sacked, as well as the 67 points allowed across the past two games — both against NFC West foes.
Rallis has served as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator since 2023, but Clancy argued the unit has neither produced nor developed players at levels sufficient to justify staying the course.
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The host acknowledged a midseason change would not instantly solve Arizona’s defensive problems. His point rests on the contention that a change would establish accountability before the schedule becomes more difficult, beginning with a road game against the New York Giants on Sunday and a home contest against the Detroit Lions a week later.
Regardless of whether the Cardinals agree with Clancy and let go of Rallis, the defense has to find a way to create pressure and make stops before the next stretch further tests the roster.
Cardinals News and Notes
– Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love became a focal point of the offense in Week 3, with Clancy highlighting his 26 touches and ability to turn apparent losses into positive gains. Arizona’s workload split at running back will be worth monitoring after Tyler Allgeier had a limited role.
– Quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw 52 passes, a volume Clancy said cannot become the norm. He credited wide receiver Michael Wilson’s production throughout the game and pointed to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 19-yard catch on third-and-11 midway through the fourth quarter as a pivotal play, but argued the offense left points on the field during a first half dominated by possession.
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This story was originally published September 30, 2026 at 11:31 PM.