GLENDALE, Ariz. -- All it took was one bad day of practice for the Arizona Cardinals' red zone defense on Wednesday for coach Bruce Arians to bring it up in his daily news conference.

Unprovoked, mind you.

That meant one thing: It was on his mind.

While he said that allowing too many red zone touchdowns during a practice has been an anomaly this camp, improving in the red zone has been a priority for the Cardinals’ defense this training year.

“I think it’s a combination of watching film and really, down there, you got to all be on the same page,” cornerback Justin Bethel said. “Any little mistake or any little breakdown in coverage is a touchdown. I think for us, it’s going to be a lot of communication and being where we’re supposed to be at."

Last season, the Cardinals allowed 27 touchdowns in the red zone, including 14 rushing. Defensive tackle Josh Mauro thought that was too high of a number.

“That’s a pride thing,” he said. “I think this year, just acknowledging that, working on that and going out and doing it is what we need to do to get the results we want.”

The Cardinals were ranked 13th in the NFL in touchdowns allowed in the red zone, fourth in passing touchdowns allowed (11) and 20th in rushing touchdowns allowed (14). They also allowed an interception and a fumble recovery get returned for touchdowns.

But how does Arizona fix it?

“Everyone just doing their job and just being accountable to each other, and winning your one-on-one matchups,” Mauro said. “That’s all the game of football is: 11 one-on-ones. Don’t worry about anybody else’s job, and just key in on what you have to do and get it done.”