Arizona Cardinals Win Another Thriller, Beat Seattle Seahawks 23-20
by Alex Mann on Jan 1, 2012 7:34 PM MST
in Arizona Cardinals Postgame Recaps
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PrintAnd with that, Arizona is 8-8. This caps off an improbable come from behind season. After falling 1-6, many fans thought the season was over. But behind John Skelton, the Cardinals went 6-2. This may just spark a quarterback battle this offseason. Hit the jump for the season finale of the "Cardiac Cards"
The biggest factor for today's win was yet again the defense. Daryl Washington finished up the season with a great game, notching up 11 tackles, recording one sack and knocking down two key pass attempts to Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch and TE Cameron Morrah. The defense recorded four sacks, an Interception and blocked a field goal attempt. After several weeks of watching the defense, we've come to love them. With a full season, and an entire offseason with Ray Horton, the Cardinals should be one of the best defenses next season, and possibly, seasons to come.
The offense had one of their better games this season. I say 'game' because we know them for their improbable fourth quarter and overtime wins. Today the Cardinals started off early scoring a one-yard touchdown by RB Chester Taylor. Other than that he was a no factor as LaRod Stephens-Howling ran 21 times for 93 yards. We got a sighting of Todd Heap as he caught two passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Larry Fitzgerald was a beast as usual, reeling in nine catches for 149 yards a no TD's.
Our special teams unit with another solid performance, Patrick Peterson broke the single season punt return yards previously held by Louis Lipps. Peterson came in with 636 yards and broke the record on his 42 yard punt return that nearly broke the single season punt return TD record. And to top it all off, Peterson also blocked his second field goal attempt this season, which if the Seahawks had made it, would have been the games winning points.
Time of Possession favored Arizona, 35:19 compared to Seattles 33:42. Arizona was penalized 9 times for 76 yards, acquired 20 first downs compared to Seattles 19, and converted 41 percent of their third down attempts while Seattle converted just 18 percent.
Arizona also broke an NFL record with this game, winning four overtime games in a single season.
So with a somewhat disappointing season behind us, we have a very important offseason ahead of us. It will determine who our Quarterback of 2012 will be, it will allow our defense to grow, and it will give us back our players who missed out this season.
*UPDATE* Forgot to add this as well... We ended Marshawn Lynches 100 yard rushing streak, and his 11 straight Games with a TD. Good thing Skittles were band from the game huh?
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Fitz was in GOD MODE today
They just couldn’t stop him.
Don’t know if they showed it on TV, but during the review of the OT catch the entire crowd was chanting his name for two or three minutes. It was so loud in that place too.
Skelton was still inconsistent as hell, but he really shows up when it matters.
And WOW at what Matt Flynn did today. Kinda makes Rodgers look like a system QB if he could do that.
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
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I'm excited for Flynn... I'd like it if we somehow brought in Matt Flynn this offseason so that we have 3 QB's to battle it out for starter.
Even if he doesn’t start he’s a great person to put on the Trade block… see what you can get for him.
That he did.
Nearly beating the Patriots last year, and then putting up franchise records this year. He’ll be great somewhere in the league… Just hopefully not in the NFC West.
That's an obvious speculation.
Wouldn’t be surprised but I’m not jumping to conclusions on it. Smith has a great chance to show up big in the playoffs with the 49ers holding the 2nd seed.
Flynn is proof,
System>Player
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
I made a post about the Cardinals QB Wishlist last off-season
And Matt Flynn was, I think #3, or something like that on the list. I’d love to have him. He’s an absolute boss.
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
Fitz was unreal today.
Amazing catches and tremendous effort after the catch. Showed why he is the highest paid receiver without a doubt. Only 80 catches this season but 1411 yards. 17.6 avg.
Regarding Flynn
Kinda made the case for Brees for MVP in my mind.
by Birdman from Mesa on Jan 1, 2012 8:26 PM MST up reply actions
Agreed, him or Brady
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
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What happened with the gamethread by the way?
Haven’t checked yet, but why is there only about 180 comments in each thread?
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
Leading the NFL in swagtangibles
Nobody was there,
I got tired of color commentary, the game was a total snoozer
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
I usually have like 150 comments, and I wasn't there
I probably comment way more than I should.
Joe Saunders: "They played a really good game, so hats off to us"
I always go over 100
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
Leading the NFL in swagtangibles
I can't be in game threads when I am watching with others
I am waiting for the cable to work in my room as well so I didn’t watch in my room. I also have to be at home because I don’t use the app for these websites.
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
Gotta love that comment and hey who knows ....
"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender
Is it me or did Fitz seem ill today?
Before the big hit his nose seemed to be leaking, and he looked woozy. The hit made him look worse
Apparently he injured a lung earlier in the game
And was spitting up some blood on the sidelines. It makes his performance today that much more spectacular!
Faith Focus Finish
by b0rd3rline on Jan 1, 2012 8:47 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I saw something about him getting a CT scan
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
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Congratulations to John Skelton and Ray Horton,
for digging the team out of the huge hole that Kevin Kolb and Mike Miller dug for them.
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
Mike Miller yes...
Kolb’s still inconclusive, but if we base it off of his 7 games prior to our improved Defense then yes his fault.
Kolb is conclusive...
He shows flashes, but can only survive half of a season at best. We can’t possibly move forward with someone like that at QB
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
That's ridiculous,
and proof of how much you love Kolb, I have a scenario in the unfortunate event that Kevin Kolb is still a Cardinal for Week 1 next season. He gets to be the starter until he loses a game. Good thing 1 loss is better than 6
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
I was just messing around.
But I say both QB’s get 2 games each in the Preseason, whoever wins more, or puts up more points in the Preseason wins the battle.
There will be a competition
I am pretty sure of it. Both players showed me they aren’t ready just yet. Let them duke it out!
"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!
Miller gets too much criticism.
Neither quarterback had a completion percentage over 60%. (Kolb 57.7, Skelton 54.9). Neither has really had the time to master the offense either. The starting running back was gimped out since game two. The #2 back we lost for the entire season. The play of the offensive line was second rate. They gave up over 50 sacks. Aside from Fitzgerald the only receiver with any kind of consistant production was Doucet. There were a lot of let downs on offense this season. A little better execution on the field this season and the Cardinals win a few more of those tight games.
Miller may not have impressed but let’s not forget that this was his first year as an offensive coordinator. I think it’s fair to question how much control and freedom he has over the offense to begin with. It’s Whisenhunt’s system he is implementing, not his own. It’s a bit premature to call for a replacement. I’d hate to see the kind of thing Alex Smith went through happen here in Arizona.
Only as a WR coach
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
A top notch OC by any name would be beneficial.
While there have been a number of questionable play calls this season there have been many more failures in execution. Whenever a play works the OC looks good. When it doesn’t they take some heat, deserved or not. Making a change at this point is unwarranted. It creates a greater chance of a backwards step rather than progressing. I’d prefer to see what the offense can achieve with healthy players and a full off season for Kolb and Skelton without making an unnecessary change at coordinator.
I agree with your assessment.
I think Miller should stay, and see what an offseason will do for both Skelton and Kolb. Although, Todd Halely would look mighty fine back as our OC.
by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 2, 2012 12:48 AM MST up reply actions
I prefer Miller as my scapegoat.
However I get what your saying, but Beanie wasn’t Gimpy until Lewis, Ngata, and Suggs beat him up. Our Oline wasn’t helped by Kevin Kolb scrambling around like a spazz either.
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
sack numbers we about the same with either QB back there
bad OLine play throughout the whole season
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Beanie, though, runs over people rather then making cuts. He seems to
struggle with this even when he’s healthy.
by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 2, 2012 1:11 AM MST up reply actions
I agree with you, it wasn't Miller's fault that there wasn't an
offseason. It wasn’t his fault that he lost Ryan Williams and Todd Heap either. It also wasn’t his fault that Kolb didn’t feel comfortable passing it to Fitz in double coverage. Most of the play calls I feel have been good. The only question I have is why Miller doesn’t run more no huddle offense with Skelton.
In regard to receivers, you forgot about Andre Roberts, I felt he really came on during the last half of the season and could turn into a legitamite number 2 receiver next year.
by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 2, 2012 1:06 AM MST up reply actions
I thought Roberts started to show up when Skelton took over at QB and finished the season pretty well
Whereas Doucet dropped off at about the same time.
I'll give Skelton credit
for digging himself out of his own holes so often. He never gives up.
by Birdman from Mesa on Jan 1, 2012 8:28 PM MST up reply actions
Success can only be measured,
by the amount of failures one has.
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
You obviously don't work in sales.
That is the most backwards philosophy on achievement I’ve ever heard.
Just ask Gordon Ramsay,
or any other millionaire, you’ll find most of them failed the first few times they had their own endeavors
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
I misunderstood what you were trying to express then.
Thought you were making a point about the lack of failures rather than the overcoming of them.
I do everything,
but what i was getting at is you have to fail and figure out why you failed to become great at anything.
Formerly known as Cardsfan928, If you wanna grab a quick game of madden, my screenname is also my Xbox name.
seems a bit early to draft Burfict
unless he blows up the combine and shoots up the boards. Martin or Rieff should be available
Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68
Nice victory today!! Much more balanced offense in
the first half. Our D was AWESOME and Washington and Fitz were both FREAKS today!!!! This team has a lot to be excited about for 2012. Next year we’ll have Ryan Williams back to add some competition for Beanie and hopefully give are running game a good one two punch.
I don’t think there is a qb battle right now. Clearly, Skelton should be the starting qb. He has the confidence to throw the ball to Fitz when he’s double covered. Kolb, however, does not feel comfortable throwing the ball to Fitz when he’s double covered. This was very evident early in the season when Kolb started and Fitz wasn’t getting his touches. Fitz MUST be involved in this offense for this team to win.
by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 2, 2012 12:43 AM MST reply actions
That was the problem with Warner when he started in Arizona.
I’m not comparing the two but Kolb will learn to trust Fitz in time.
And it's not like Kolb didn't get Fitz the ball
JoeCB1991 had a FanPost a few weeks back that showed how similar the numbers were.
Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68
Fitz getting 9 catches yesterday will help change those numbers into Skelton's favor a little bit
Catches per game should still be pretty similar though.
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Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
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