Brissett’s steady game powers Cardinals’ opener
The Arizona Cardinals opened the season with a 26-14 victory in Los Angeles, led by veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett and a game plan designed to control the clock and limit the opponent’s opportunities.
Brissett completed 27 of 37 passes for 277 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions. He also posted a 2.56-second time to throw — the second-lowest mark among quarterbacks in Week 1 — a quick release that helped Arizona keep drives alive and avoid negative plays.
That ball-speed showed up under pressure. “Yeah, I thought [QB] Jacoby [Brissett] did a heck of a job on getting the ball out, when they were starting to bring some pressure and stuff like that,” Mike LaFleur said after the game, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
The Cardinals’ ability to sustain drives was a decisive factor. Arizona held a roughly 15-minute advantage in possession time and effectively moved the chains when needed, using late-game rushing plays to run down the clock and seal the win.
LaFleur’s temperament and relationship with Brissett
First-year head coach Mike LaFleur has leaned into an intense game-day persona, and he credited Brissett’s calmness with helping the staff manage that energy. “His calmness helps me because I’m an absolute psychopath on game days,” LaFleur said on The Pat McAfee Show, as reported by Yardbarker.
LaFleur praised Brissett’s approach throughout preparation and on game day. “It’s been awesome, the way he approached it,” he added, and explained that building a relationship during training camp smoothed the transition to his system.
LaFleur also said he and Brissett developed familiarity in camp, which eased installation of the offense and minimized disruption as the season began. That continuity showed in both Brissett’s quick decisions and the Cardinals’ capacity to chew clock late in the game.
Up next: Seahawks at State Farm Stadium
The Cardinals return home this Sunday to host the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks. The matchup presents an immediate measuring stick for LaFleur’s group after the encouraging opener.
As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Seattle as a 3.5-point road favorite for the game, underscoring the challenge ahead for Arizona but also the stakes of maintaining the balance between an aggressive coaching style and Brissett’s steadiness.
With ball control and a quarterback who can get the ball out quickly, the Cardinals will aim to replicate the possession advantage that limited their Week 1 opponent’s offense. How LaFleur’s intensity pairs with Brissett’s composure will be a central subplot as Arizona prepares for a tough home test against the Seahawks.
