GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Kyler Murray had just a few moments to look downfield early in the third quarter before being mauled by Washington’s Bobby Wagner and Daron Payne for another sack during a miserable day for the Arizona Cardinals.

One ineffective play later, the quarterback trudged off the field as boos rained down from the home crowd.

Reconstruction of Arizona took a step backwards a demoralizing 42–14 loss for the Commanders on Sunday. The Cardinals (1-3) took an early 7-0 lead, but were outplayed in almost every way over the next 3 1/2 quarters.

“Something has to change,” Murray said. “We weren’t good enough today. They took advantage of our weaknesses, we didn’t play complementary football. We have to be better at every stage of the game. That wasn’t the type of football we wanted to play.”

Murray linked with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 2-yard touchdown on the opening drivebut Washington responded with two straight touchdowns and Arizona couldn’t answer before it was too late.

One of the reasons the Cardinals’ offense stalled was because Harrison essentially disappeared during the second and third quarters. He finished with five catches for 45 yards.

“We have to get our best players the ball,” Murray said. “When we’re doing well, you feel it.”

Murray completed 16 of 22 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown. James Conner had a 6-yard touchdown run to cut the Commanders’ lead to 27-14 late in the third quarter, briefly making things competitive, but the Commanders responded with another touchdown drive, capped by a 10-yard throw from rookie Jayden. Daniels to Terry McLaurin.

Arizona’s defense had few answers to stop Daniels, the rookie who has dazzled the NFL for four games. He completed 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, and also ran 9 yards for a touchdown.

The Commanders ran for 216 yards and controlled the line of scrimmage from the start.

“We didn’t do a good enough job to stop the run,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We play behind the 8-ball in defense all day and that is a difficult road. Give those guys credit, that’s a good offense. They are well coached and have played a lot.”

Gannon leads the Cardinals’ rebuild in his second season and this was one of the first real stinkers of his tenure. Even after losing games to the Bills and Lions over the first three weeks, players and coaches were generally excited about the way they competed against two of the NFL’s better teams.

There were not many positive points to be gained on Sunday.

“That was the first time we got beat like that,” Gannon said. “If you keep doing the same thing, you’re asking for the same result. We are very process-oriented and I trust our process, but everyone is going to have to look hard and hard, point their fingers at themselves, starting with me, and we have to make some adjustments.”

The Cardinals have a 4-8 record since Murray – a two-time Pro Bowl selection – returned from a knee injury midway through last season.

“It’s one game, the season isn’t over yet,” Murray said. “We just have to look in the mirror and get better. That’s what it comes down to, because no one panics. We just got beat.”

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl