If you're going to win, that's how you should do it.
In a game dominated by Chris Beanie Wells and Patrick Peterson, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the St. Louis Rams 23-20 to improve their record to 4-7. Although parts of the game got downright disgusting, in the end, the Cardinals powered through for the win.
Hit the jump for details from one of the few good games the Cardinals have had this season.
On the offensive side, QB John Skelton struggled for much of the game. Completing 12 of 23 passes for 114 yards and two interceptions, Skelton didn't have his best performance of the season by far. But RB Beanie Wells definitely had a good performance. In fact, he had the best performance of his career. Rushing for 228 yards on 27 carries with one TD, Beanie Wells set a franchise mark. Another positive is in the 4th Quarter, Skelton showed his clutchiness yet again by driving the Offense down the field for a Jay Feely FG to take the lead.
The Defense had yet another impressive game. Letting Rams QB Sam Bradford complete only 17 of 31 passes for 203 yards and only one TD, Bradford and the Rams Offense were contained all day. Even more impressive is the fact that star RB Steven Jackson was held to only 64 yards on 17 carries. OLB Sam Acho also had two sacks, further cementing his spot as a starter. The Cardinals also recovered two fumbles from the Rams, one recovered by LB Paris Lenon, and the other by Acho.
Another big story for the Cards was the Special Teams. Although they gave up an 88 yard punt return TD to Nick Miller, CB Patrick Peterson answered back with an 80 punt return TD of his own, tying the NFL single season punt return TD record. Interestingly enough, commentator Sam Rosen has been the commentator for all four of the games where Peterson returned a punt return of a TD. I say we sign him to a 10 year deal?
The time of possession for the Cardinals was 33:59, vs. 26:01 for the Rams. They had 16 1st Downs, 5 punts, and 4 penalties, which resulted in 39 yards for the Rams.
Next week, the Cards take on Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys at home. In a rematch from last Christmas, this is sure to be a close game. But in the end, even if things go bad, we always have the NBA to turn to...Finally!