Despite Second Half Rally, Arizona Cardinals Beat Detroit Lions 31-24
by Andrew602 on Dec 20, 2009 3:01 PM MST
in 2009 Season
42 comments
The Arizona Cardinals traveled to Detroit with the NFC West division title only two wins away. The only problem was that they may have over-looked the struggling Detroit Lions. After beginning the first half 17-0, the Lions made it uncomfortably close after a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown and a 64 yard rushing touchdown by Maurice Morris. The Cardinals offense responded with an 18 yard touchdown by Beanie Wells and a 5 yard touchdown by Anquan Boldin. In the end, the Lions were unable to drive for the game-winning touchdown, and the Cardinals improved their record to 9-5.
The positives
- Beanie Wells had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season and gave the Cardinals some explosive running when the passing game was faltering. Wells also scored a 4th quarter touchdown that swung some momentum back in the Cards favor.
- The passing defense gave their best effort for a second straight game. They didn't allow a 100 yard receiver and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had two interceptions on the day, making his season total 5. They also limited Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson to just 3 catches for 35 yards. Rashad Johnson saw his most action since the preseason and seemed to fill in fine for the majority of the game. He nearly had an interception on the Lions last offensive play of the game, but it luckily had no effect as it was 4th down.
- Anquan Boldin stepped up noticeably with Larry Fitzgerald not being 100%. Boldin was targeted 11 times and caught 6 passes for 72 yards and the go-ahead score to give the Cardinals the lead and eventually win the game.
- Despite some pressure from the Lions defense, the Cardinals offensive line held up well, only allowing 2 sacks and 3 QB hits.
- Mike Nugent filled in for the injured Neil Rackers and the Cardinals kicking game didn't skip a beat. Nugent made all of the extra points and knocked in a 48 yard field goal in the first half.
- Ben Graham played another spectacular game, punting 3 of his kicks inside the Lions 20, and also averaged 50.3 yards a punt.
The negatives
- Kurt Warner may still be suffering the effects of the hip pointer he tweaked against the Vikings three weeks ago. He wasn't limping around the field but he didn't have as much zip on any of his passes. Many passes fell at the receivers feet or were over-thrown. He also fumbled the ball to end the 1st half and threw an interception that resulted in a 100 yard return for a touchdown. Warner redeemed himself as he usually does, when he led the Cardinals on their game-winning drive and threw the touchdown to Anquan Boldin.
- The Cardinals rush-defense was slashed again, and gave up 126 rushing yards and a touchdown to the former Seahawk Maurice Morris. The Cardinals have allowed two 100-yard rushers the last two weeks since they held Adrian Peterson to 19 rushing yards.
- Mental errors and turnovers haunted the entire game. The Cardinals turned the ball over 3 times and the Lions capitalized by scoring 14 points. The Cardinals also committed 8 penalties for 65 yards. Two of them came from Bryan Robinson, for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that resulted in 30 yards. Turnovers and penalties have plagued the Cardinals lately, and isn't something they can continue if they want to make a run in the playoffs.
- Play-calling was questionable at times, mainly on 3rd and short situations when the Cardinals became very predictable. The Cardinals were 4-12 on 3rd downs, and that was one of the main reasons the Lions were able to stay in the game till the 4th quarter.
Final thoughts
While I am upset that the Cardinals couldn't dominate the now 2-12 Lions, I'll take a win know matter which way it comes. The Cardinals did show signs of life when most of the momentum turned in the Lions favor, and they were able to battle back to score on a game-winning drive. Kurt Warner needs to get healthy fast, and the Cardinals may need to show a stronger sense of urgency with the Rams coming to Arizona next week. What are your thoughts on the game?
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Good games by Beanie, Boldin, Warner and Fitz
Lions put up a real fight, but a win is a win
by WarWolf on Dec 20, 2009 3:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
New here
Long time reader first time poster. Being a cardinals fan in Cali can be a bitch seeing how I have to constantly refresh online to have any clue as to what is going on in the game. From what I saw are defense played well minus some that big run and the failure to get them off the field. Are pass defense was great in not allowing a 100 yard receiver for the second time. DRC coming up with 2 pics and Rashad did a pretty good job stepping in and of course Beanie had his first of soon to be many 100 yard game.
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 3:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to RotB.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Dec 21, 2009 2:55 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
today was a good day
Fitz got to 1000 yards Beanie got his first 100 yard game. DRC 2 interceptions and now has 5.I do believe the cardinals were able to win a game when they were not ahead in turn overs GO CARDS any landing you can walk away from is a good one! Again only know from what I could read during the game so correct me if im wrong.
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 3:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
The O-line was mauled much of the game, especially on run plays. The Lions repeatedly penetrated the backfield. Warner was off his game. That 3rd Qtr was just awful. Wells had a great game despite the lack of push the O-line was able to create. Dockett and DRC both played great on D. 2 big plays put Detroit back in the game. Nice to see the team respond the way they did for the win. Was glad to see them going for the TD at the end of the 1st half instead of playing conservatively. Really want to know what the deal was with Robinson.
by hadrarius on Dec 20, 2009 4:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Robinson wtf?
I view him as a smart player usually, but that was ridiculous. 30 yards. wow.
I agree the Lions weren’t even playing great football, we played down to their level.
That may be the most off I have seen Warner. Nugent played great. 48-yarder, nice.
How can the run defense look so awful after what they did to AP? its just boggling.
Still, 9-5 is sweet and the 9ers are about to go down in flames
http://undrafteds.com/
by Undrafteds on Dec 20, 2009 5:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
it was good to see they could battle through a game were that didn’t have everything go their way and come out with a win
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 4:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
If the Niners lose tonight
Start Leinart next game.
I thought our line play looked a little bit sloppy but overall I thought we played well. Warner was just off the mark today. I think the old boy needs a rest. If we secure the conference tonight Leinart must start and Warner and Fitz need to sit against the Rams
They are who we thought they were!
by Jessesb on Dec 20, 2009 5:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
have to agree it wouldn’t hurt to sit fitz as well maybe give DRC a rest for parts the last half of the game. We need are best guys playing healthy. It could be a good chance to see how some of are young guys would play give toler mor action as well i have high hopes for him
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 5:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
For future reference
are = our
“We need OUR best guys playing healthy,” which I must say, I agree with.
Until spring training starts - let's go Cardinals and Suns!
by b0rd3rline on Dec 20, 2009 5:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
resting
resting is a good idea, but getting their groove back is enticing too. We did not play playoff football today, but a win is a win
http://undrafteds.com/
by Undrafteds on Dec 20, 2009 5:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
the cards lose games they shouldn’t and win games no one gives them a chance in . in all their loses with the exception to indy who just embarrassed us the cards played below the competition they went up against teams everyone said they should beat and they blew it. Im glad they beat the lions hopefully they roll through the rams even if they rest some starters
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 5:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Warner’s proven he gets some time off he can come back and shred secondary’s. I dont think i understand turf toe really shockey sat out of the saint game last night with it and DRC had to interceptions.
Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!
by McCards010 on Dec 20, 2009 5:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Turf Toe is a bitch.
I had it playing in high school.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Dec 21, 2009 3:00 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Ugly win
But at least its a win. Kinda reminded me of the game against the Texans. Part of me thinks that they were getting bored after the 17-0 lead and they wanted to make things interesting.
Luckily the 49ers lost, and the Seahawks were blown out by the Bucs while the Rams were actually able to keep it close against the Texans.
Also, Beanie for Cardinal of the Week.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
by JoeCB1991 on Dec 20, 2009 6:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Beanie was MVP of that game. No Doubt.
by hadrarius on Dec 20, 2009 6:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
6-2 Road Record
Nice ratio regardless of how ugly the victories were getting towards “six”.
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
by Hawkwind on Dec 21, 2009 2:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Should be 7-1 if only Warner played in Tennessee
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:30 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Should be 8-0 if Stick'em was still legal
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
by Hawkwind on Dec 21, 2009 9:36 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 2:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Ugly
The Cardinals showed up today without any emotion, intensity, or focus. While watching the game I couldn’t help but feel like the whole team was still hungover from that horrible MNF showing. It was an ugly win, but we won the game and now the division (thank you Philly) so I will sleep well tonight. I just hope we can stay healthy so we can do some damage in the playoffs.
by clevercarbon on Dec 20, 2009 6:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Agree
the team just seemed like they were on cruise mode or something, 12 men on the field cause guys were just strolling to the sidelines. They played just good enough to win, Im really hoping their playing possum till the playoffs. One thing that was pretty amusing was seeing the lions Gandy play like the Cards Gandy. Divisionchamps go cards
by Dem_Cardz on Dec 20, 2009 6:56 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Whisenhunt needs to get on their ass about stuff like that
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:31 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
OL and play calling
This was on the verge of being a blowout and would have been if not for the interception return. That gave the Lions hope and then the OL had trouble, which after their problems last week raises some concerns. On a number of plays the OL was again being blown out. Not sure if this is an alignment problem without TE help on the line.
Wells was fantastic and Warner played well when they needed him on the drive at the end. Not one of his better games, to be sure, but I sensed in addition to being banged up, he might have been a little frustrated with the play calling. I don’t understand what happened to our short passes to Hightower that have been so successful in the past. He had at least one today, but like last week the coverages seemed to be going long with Fitz and Boldin, which should free things up on the short passes. Our previously very imaginative offense has gotten a bit predictable and defenses are catching up.
Much will be said about how the Cards could only beat the Lions by a touchdown, but there is a tendency to think a team that is 1-11 somehow cannot compete and to anticipate a blowout. I don’t think the Lions are as bad as their record. Still, there are definitely areas that need work for the Cards.
A good day overall because they won the Division.
by BPaul on Dec 20, 2009 6:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Schwartz did make a few adjustments as far as personel and play calling in the 2nd half
I think they were more fired up. Plus the crowd finally got into the game.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:37 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
play calling
Any thoughts on what has happened to Hightower as a receiver out of the backfield? Just interested in your opinion about offensive strategies in general. We haven’t seen flea flickers or reverses much lately either. All of those things tend to spread the defense. We seem to be a bit stale on offense, despite the emergence of Wells, who gains yardage more from his own strength and ability than anything else.
by BPaul on Dec 21, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we're seeing a change on offense
With Beanie truly emerging as a star running back, I think we’ll see less and less of Hightower. I think a large portion of Hightower’s catches were dump-off passes early in the year, and I think that’s something the Cardinals are trying to eliminate.
Whiz has been known to throw some trickory in games which makes the Cardinals lack of creativity on offense surprising. You have to remember that Haley was calling the plays last year and that’s one major reason the Cardinals seem like a different team then what we’re used to seeing on offense.
I do agree with those that say the Cardinals may be playing possum. It makes sense considering the Cardinals did the same thing last year and turned on the jets in the playoffs. Part of me thinks that Whisenhunt is saving all the “good” plays for the playoffs as well. I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out of Whisenhunt really is the Whiz.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 2:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
really think whiz is showing as little as possible before the playoffs
They totally dominate the Vikings and didnt let em off the hook. They dominate the lions in the first half and dont let em off the hook but sure played with them a bit before reelin em in. Yes they lost the hook, line, sinker and the boat in the 49er game but you have to know Whiz is probably pretty good at poker and fishing.
by Dem_Cardz on Dec 21, 2009 9:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Levi really struggled yesterday.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
by JoeCB1991 on Dec 21, 2009 10:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
As much as it seems like next week would be a nice game to rest folks ...
I’d really like to see at least a 10-6 record. Better chance of beating the Rams than the Packers.
by jburning on Dec 20, 2009 6:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Rest vs. play
Congratulations to us all on the division title!
Would it make sense to rest the starters against the Rams to become healthy and play them against the Packers to become sharp?
We are red, we are white, we are Danish Dynamite!
by Thomaldo on Dec 20, 2009 6:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Tune up against the Rams and let them bleed-out at UoP...
…then go vanilla/misdirect against the Packers since they could be our first round opponent too (unless Dal/Phi keep winning).
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
by Hawkwind on Dec 21, 2009 2:38 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
10 wins is important. I’m sure the players want it as much as the fans. It’s been so long since the Cardinals had double digit wins in a season.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:38 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
BRob
I was very surprised to see a defensive leader react like he did. Does anyone know what had him so worked up?
by jallred350 on Dec 20, 2009 7:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
No idea
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
On the Cardinals website there is a brief explanation that it was about a holding call on Gabe Watson during the 64 yd td run.
by hadrarius on Dec 21, 2009 1:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Never seen him fired up like that.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 2:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
3 things...
•Adub was in on a sack. Was he credited for a full sack or a half sack? A full sack would put him in the 20/20 club.
•Whiz has not had a losing season since coming here. He also had a one game improvement which I see happening again this year. 8-8, 9-7 and 10-6?
•I think this team needs occasional loses and low expectations from everyone else. I don’t think we’re built to handle success yet. “Same ol’ Cards” seems to be excellent motivation for this team on a weekly basis. We are still a young team and handling success is part of our maturation process. But the good news is that we are growing up.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Dec 21, 2009 3:22 AM MST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
0.5 sack for Wilson, the other half going to Haggans.
Don't waste time or Time will waste you.
by Hawkwind on Dec 21, 2009 3:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
He's almost there. Seems like he should certainly get to 20
With the Rams and Packers offensive lines coming up next
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Dec 21, 2009 8:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
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