The Arizona Cardinals lost a late, close game for the fifth straight week. In front of a sea of Packer green at State Farm Stadium, Arizona squandered yet another fourth-quarter lead, falling by a final score of 27-23. For the second week in a row, a potential game-winning drive stalled on fourth down.

It was, however, another relatively successful day offensively for backup QB Jacoby Brissett. Though Kyler Murray is still considered the starter, and is expected to play against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, the questions surrounding the Cardinals’ QB play continue to grow louder.

Cardinals Drop Close Game to Packers

The unfortunate reality is Arizona is beyond the point of moral victories. For as good of a team as Green Bay is, the only outcome that would have satisfied understandably-disgruntled Cardinals fans would have been a win — something that has eluded Jonathan Gannon’s team for more than a full calendar month at this point.

The Cardinals’ passing attack gave a similar look to last week’s shootout, and their extremely-battered run game had its moments. Brissett was able to throw downfield with a high rate of success, finding chunk plays on critical third downs and, more importantly, getting the ball to his playmakers. Star TE Trey McBride had two receiving touchdowns — the first such game of his pro career.

Brissett finished with a robust 279 yards and two passing touchdowns with no interceptions. He was, however, sacked six times — once for a lost fumble. The Cardinals’ offensive line was incapable of keeping him safe from pressure, albeit against an impressive Green Bay pass rush.

Arizona continues to play the exact same game every week. The Cardinals are never “out” of a game until the very end, but it never quite feels as if the game is ever under control, even with a significant lead.

Five losses in a row and 2-5 at the bye is going to be a near-impossible task to overcome. In all likelihood, this is the unofficial end of Arizona’s playoff hopes, although more improbable runs have occurred.

Cardinals fans will get a much-needed break next Sunday, with an important Monday night matchup with the Dallas Cowboys and their high-flying offense looming in the distance.