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Bruce Arians supports Chandler Catanzaro despite another crucial miss

NFL, Arizona Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians still supports his kicker, Chandler Catanzaro, despite him missing two potential game-winning field goals this season, including one Sunday night in overtime against the Seattle Seahawks.

"Yes," Arians responded when asked if Catanzaro still has his full support.

Arians didn't hesitate even though Catanzaro missed a 24-yard field goal off the left upright with 3:26 left in overtime Sunday night that would've given the Cardinals their first win over the Seahawks at home under Arians. Seattle's Steven Hauschka missed a 27-yard attempt with seven seconds left in OT, resulting in a 6-6 tie.

Arizona's field goals and punting games struggled overall Sunday night. Seattle blocked a field goal and a punt before Catanzaro's miss. But Arians doesn't think changes are necessary to fix Sunday's issues.

"No, the kicker just needs to kick it through the two poles, and we'd be 5-2," Arians said.

He was referring to Catanzaro missing a 47-yard field goal with 41 seconds left in Week 1 that would've given Arizona a 24-23 lead over the New England Patriots. Had Catanzaro made his kicks against the Patriots and Seahawks, the Cardinals would have the second-best record in the NFC.

Catanzaro is 8-for-11 on field goals this season, matching his total number of misses from last season. As a rookie, he missed four field goals. His 72.7 field goal percentage in 2016 is tied for 29th in the NFL.

Arians called the Cardinals' special-teams play the past couple of weeks before Sunday night "fantastic." He said injuries affected other parts of special teams on Sunday.

And even though Arians has publicly supported Catanzaro, he's still critical of his kicker's mistakes.

"The field goal issue -- you just can't miss that kick," Arians said.

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