Arizona Cardinals Shock the World and the Eagles 32-25
The 'worst playoff team ever' isn't ready to take off the glass slipper just yet. The Arizona Cardinals are headed to the Super Bowl following a seven point victory over the favored Philadelphia Eagles. It certainly wasn't an easy game, after all the Eagles are a very good team, but in the end the Cardinals made just enough plays to emerge victorious. The Cards jumped out to an early lead behind strong performances by the offense and defense. In the early part of the game, the biggest difference between the Eagles and Cardinals was that the Cardinals were putting seven points
on the board while the Eagles were settling for (or missing) field goals. By halftime the Eagles had driven into Cardinals territory, and once into the red zone, but they only had six points to show for it. The Cardinals on the other hand, drove into Eagles territory three times and produced 17 points out of those drives. The Eagles mounted a furious comeback and took the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Cardinals responded with a gutsy, championship-worthy drive that retook the lead and sucked the life out of the resurgent Eagles. We'll dive into detailed analysis of the game later today but for now, here's just a couple of the guys who played like Champions:
Kurt Warner: KW certainly played like a guy who had been here before and we couldn't have asked for a better performance from the seasoned veteran. Not only did Warner finish the game with great overall numbers, he was also amazing when the Cardinals needed him most. On third downs he was 6 of 8 for 82 yards and a touchdown and on the 4th quarter drive to reclaim the lead he was a perfect 5 for 5 for 56 yards (and he threw to Ben Patrick to complete a two point conversion). By the end of the game, he'd completed 75% of his passes for 279 yards, four touchdowns, zero turnovers and a sparkling QB rating 145.7. Folks, it doesn't get much better than that.
Larry Fitzgerald: What else can you say about the guy? He's simply the best wide receiver and quite possibly the best overall player in the entire NFL. For the fifth straight game, spanning back into the regular season, he's had over 100 yards and caught at least one touchdown. During the post season, all he's done is catch 23 passes for 419 yards (new NFL record) and five touchdowns. One thing that really stood out yesterday was his leadership. During the 4th quarter drive he not only caught three passes for 39 yards but he was also as animated as I've ever seen him trying to pump up the crowd and his team.
Edgerrin James: He didn't finish the game with spectacular numbers, like some of his teammates but he was productive and provided the offense with some much needed balance. He played a huge role on the Cardinals first drive that helped them put the first points on the board. He had back to back runs of 16 and 12 yards to move the ball from the Eagles' 40 to their 12 yard line. He also had a huge 16 yard reception on a 3rd and 3 early in the fourth quarter.
Adrian Wilson: A-Dub is finally getting a chance to play championship football and he's making the most of it each and every game. He tied for team lead in tackles yesterday with seven, recorded the only two sacks for the Cardinals and defended a pass. One of the longest tenured Cardinals had a great game when the team needed him the most.
Karlos Dansby: Dansby didn't have a great stat line, but it seemed like every time that guys were climbing out of the pile, he was right there in the middle of everything. He finished with seven tackles and batted down a pass on a third down that ended an Eagles drive.
Crowd at U of P: Watching the game at home, I couldn't believe the noise during the game. The Cardinals did a great job of scoring early and keeping the fans in the game, but the crowd did a great job of keeping the Cardinals adrenaline flowing. Props to all you guys who made it to the game and yelled your lungs out.
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That are countless other guys who deserve plenty of praise, including the entire offensive and defensive lines, but those are the guys who really stood. Who else had great games?
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13 comments
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Comments
Congrats Guys...
now kick some Steeler ass!
by Davejinxer on Jan 19, 2009 8:03 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations Cardinals
From a Giants fan. I picked against the Cards hesitatingly against the Falcons. I picked against them confidently against the Panthers. Finally, it was undeniable. I picked the Cards to beat the Eggles. And you did it! You gotta take your respect man. I can’t wait to see the line and know that Pitt is favored again, just what you guys are thriving on. Nothing against Pitt I actually like the franchise, but c’mon… football fans gotta love the Arizona Cardinals right now!
Good luck, best wishes, I’ll be rooting for you all. You really deserve it.
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 19, 2009 8:13 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Job well done...
Congrats, Arizona! Y’all sure are fun to watch. Before the playoffs, I would’ve taken issue with your statement that L-Fitz is the best wideout in the league (see Johnson, Andre), but even this Texans fan had to marvel at what the guy has pulled off in the postseason. Keep this streak going, Birds!
by clarky1661 on Jan 19, 2009 8:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Congrats Cards
As an Eagles fan, it pains me to offer up my congrats. The Cardinals outplayed the Eagle yesterday without a doubt. To me, the biggest factor in the win for the Cardinals was Warner’s ability to combat the blitz by getting rid of the ball quickly.
For my thoughts on went wrong on the game, you can check out my Website linked below.
Again, congrats and nice work here.
Chris Iafolla http://heardinthecheapseats.com/
by Chris Iafolla on Jan 19, 2009 9:07 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Still surreal...
Congrats to all of the Cards fans here and everywhere.
I think it’s about time Warner wins one of Andrew’s POTW.
Larry WTF?!?!
Clancy Pendergast, amazing play designs throughout the game. I do think when the run is working as well as it did yesterday, why not keep using it. The third quarter would have been a lot easier to watch than it was.
The entire team fought back from adversity to recapture the lead, and did what the good teams do – WIN! We all know that that in and of it self is a milestone for this organization and hopefully a tell of whats to come.
The fans…we have a fan base and city that has rallied around the team and is filling their role in the legacy that will be the Arizona Cardinals.
SUPERBOWLLLLLLLLLLLL BABY!
by badmatty53 on Jan 19, 2009 9:11 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
O-Line
Did better than I have ever seen them do at busting open some running lanes. And they kept Warner’s jersey pretty clean too. KUDOS!
Gives me hope
by badmatty53 on Jan 19, 2009 11:55 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
mixed up my Haleys and my Clancys
opps
by badmatty53 on Jan 19, 2009 12:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Im pulling for Warner too but we cant control who everybody votes for.
Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Jan 19, 2009 2:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats from Panther fans and CSR
I’ve never seen a defense up its game so well at the right time. The offense is awesome so good luck and we will be pulling for our NFC bretheren
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on Jan 19, 2009 11:42 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Jaxon
We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!
by Hawkwind on Jan 20, 2009 2:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations Cardinals
In this troubled times you couldn’t ask for a better story than the Cardinals. Hope you bring back the Lombardi trophy!
by dabluman on Jan 19, 2009 1:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I guess I'm alone here, but...
..I didn’t find anything shocking at all about the Cards post season run. They have the raw talent to match up with any team in the league, and have had for awhile. Essentially clinching the division back in November cut into the intensity with which they played the last half of the season. That is to be expected, and they are reaping some benefits now by being relatively refreshed spiritually and physically.
Do not underestimate the Cards or their restructured coaching staff in the final game of the season and in future seasons.
by robert ethan on Jan 19, 2009 1:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Good Show Cardinals!
It was a good game you guys played. Your unstoppable offense comes through yet again.
Beat the pants off those Steelers!
"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Jan 20, 2009 12:18 PM MST reply actions 0 recs






















