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In his four plus seasons in Arizona, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians usually has elected to receive when winning the coin toss. On Thursday, however, he deferred and the Cardinals kicked off to start the game against Seattle.

“Our defense has been bugging the s–t out of me to put them out there first,” Arians said. “I really had everything planned just the way it happened.”

Seattle didn’t gain a first down on the opening possession, and after a punt the Cardinals started at the Seahawks 48-yard line.

But Arians didn’t plan on running back Adrian Peterson losing a fumble on the first play.

“That was a huge, huge momentum shift,” Arians said. “The field position battle flopped drastically, right off the bat.”

CARDINALS SCHEDULE: Texans, Jaguars and Rams up next for Cardinals

Kicking woes

Phil Dawson made his only field-goal attempt on Friday, a 43-yarder in the third quarter, but Seattle blocked an extra point after the Cardinals last score.

Cornerback Jeremy Lane raced around right end to get a hand on Dawson’s attempt.

“It was a slow operation time,” said Arians.

All three specialists involved – long snapper Justin Drescher, holder Andy Lee and Dawson – share responsibility, Arians said.

Drescher has had low snaps in two games this season, and Dawson has missed six field goals, including one blocked. This was the Cardinals’ first missed point after this season.

Arians said the whole process needs to be evaluated before the next game.

“We always do,” Arians said. “We look at it.”

CARDINALS-SEAHAWKS: Cardinals can’t find redemption against Seattle

Dreaded Thursday

Not many players and coaches are in favor of Thursday night games, but Arians isn’t sure the short time between games had anything to do with season-ending injuries to tackle D.J. Humphries, safety Tyvon Branch and tight end Ifeanyi Momah.

“D.J. was freaky, Tyvon was freaky, Momah was freaky,” Arians said, “so I don’t know if it (Thursday game) had anything to do with it.”

CLOSE

azcentral sports’ Kent Somers and Jay Dieffenbach weigh in on Cardinals vs. Seahawks in our Shot Clock video.

Good call

The Cardinals’ first touchdown pass was a 14-yard screen pass to tight end Jermaine Gresham. Left tackle John Wetzel made a kick-out block, and center A.Q. Shipley cleared some space closer to the goal line.

Arians called the play when he saw former Cardinals defensive lineman Dwight Freeney in the game at right end.

“Dwight isn’t going to do anything but rush the passer,” he said, “so as soon as I saw him in there, I said, ‘We’re going to throw a screen to him.’

“They were in man coverage and John Wetzel did a great job of picking off (safety) Kam Chancellor.”

MOORE: Cardinals can still save their season

STAR WATCH: Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Jones stand out for Cardinals

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