11-7-11: Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings - Rams Aftermath

What an ending. Here are some links to start off your morning after a win by the Cardinals.

Also, on Sportscenter's Top 10 plays, the you know what was the top play. Vote for it here under the "Best of the Best" section.

Cardinals News:

"Gutsy" Peterson Returns Cards To Win
Rookie's 99-yard romp beats Rams, 19-13, in overtime

Patrick Peterson's punt return snaps Cardinals' losing streak
Coaches have rules for most punt returners. Place your heels on the 10-yard line and never, ever catch one deeper than that. But there are no rules for Patrick Peterson, just suggestions. And because of that, the Cardinals beat the Rams 19-13 in overtime Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium. About 90 seconds into overtime, Peterson fielded a punt at the 1 and returned it for a touchdown. That gave the Cardinals their second victory of the season, snapped a six-game losing streak and prompted whoops and hollers from a locker room that had long been silenced by defeat. "I knew that was gutsy," Peterson said afterward. "I decided to catch the ball and run for my life."

St. Louis Rams vs Arizona Cardinals Recap - November 06, 2011 - NFL - SB Nation
Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for a touchdown in overtime, sending the Arizona Cardinals to a dramatic 19-13 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. After the Cardinals defense held strong on the first possession of overtime, Peterson fielded Donnie Jones' 54-yard punt all the way back at the one-yard line. He went straight up the middle, breaking a number of tackles before bouncing to the right sideline and racing to the end zone for the winning score. It was the second-longest punt return for a touchdown in NFL history and the longest in an overtime game. "I decided to catch the ball and just run for my life," recalled Peterson. "Once I get the ball in my hands, I'm just trying to make a play."

St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals - Recap - November 06, 2011 - ESPN
An ugly game turned gorgeous in the nick of time for the win-starved Arizona Cardinals. Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for a touchdown in overtime to give the Cardinals a stunning 19-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, bringing a dramatic end to Arizona's six-game losing streak. Peterson, the fifth pick overall in the draft out of LSU, became the first player in NFL history to have three punt returns for scores in his first eight games. His latest was the second in NFL history to come in overtime. The other was 86 yards by Tamarick Vanover of Kansas City to beat San Diego on Oct. 9, 1995. "He's a special young man," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I'm glad that we have him on our football team -- my new son."

Wrap-up: Cardinals 19, Rams 13 (OT) - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals following the Cardinals' 19-13 victory at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week 9:

Skelton Does Enough In Win
Notebook: Beanie struggles, Special teams shines in Rams' win

Cardinals QB John Skelton shows development in win
John Skelton's performance on Sunday won't ignite talk of a Cardinals quarterback controversy, as least not among sensible people, but it was a significant step forward in his development.

Arizona Cardinals-St. Louis Rams play of the game
The setup: The game was tied at 13-13. There was 13:30 remaining in overtime. The Rams had the ball. It was fourth and 7.

Word From the Birds Blog - Rams aftermath
He had just four catches for 43 yards – although he finally got another touchdown – and yet Larry Fitzgerald’s smile was wide, possibly the biggest he has sported since signing that contract extension in late August. Fitz stood at the postgame press conference podium with that smile and said, "You have no idea how hard it has been coming up here six weeks in a row. It’s a great feeling to come out of here with a ‘W,’ with the passion and the way we did it."

azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Post-game spread
Some notes and observations after Sunday's 19-13 victory in overtime over the Rams.

Arizona Cardinals-St. Louis Rams rewind: What we learned
Rewind: Kent Somers breaks down the Cardinals' 19-13 overtime win over the Rams. Despite the big victory, Arizona still has quite a few problems to work on.

Cardinals finally show some life, earn a much-needed reprieve
Strange, uncontrollable sounds were coming from inside the Cardinals locker room. Does anybody remember laughter? Moments earlier, Patrick Peterson had turned folly into history. The rookie bucked conventional wisdom that dictates you never field a punt inside your own 10-yard line. The ensuing touchdown triggered an oversized celebration on the field and in the stands, liberating a tortured team. Somehow, the Cardinals had cut off the head of the python, a six-game losing streak that was squeezing the life out of this team and the region.

Blocked field goal helps set up Cardinals' winning play
Before Josh Brown lined up for his 42-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation Sunday to try to sink the Cardinals, Calais Campbell had a quick conversation with teammate Darnell Dockett.

Skelton has good company on safeties - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The Arizona Cardinals' John Skelton has become the first player since Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers in 2008 to take two safeties in one game.

Patrick Peterson: Sunday's star, rising star - ArizonaSports.com
Most teams would not want to see their punt returner field a kick at the one yard line. Don't fair catch it and certainly don't try to return it. Then again, most teams don't have Patrick Peterson.

Consecutive possessions result in safeties for Cardinals - ArizonaSports.com
While talk of one of the most memorable plays anyone has ever seen will be the 99-yard game winning punt return by Patrick Peterson, it cannot be forgotten that earlier in the game the Cardinals' offense had a very rare and odd sequence of possessions. In the middle of the third quarter, with the score 9-6, the Cardinals had back-to-back possessions resulting in a safety. The going-backwards possessions stretched the Rams' lead to 13-6 going into the fourth quarter. They outscored the Cardinals 4-3 in the third quarter. Not something you usually see in the box score. Or ever.

Cardinals defense bends but never breaks - ArizonaSports.com
To put it simply, the Arizona Cardinals defense did a lot of bending but never broke in their 19-13 overtime win against the St. Louis Rams. On paper the Cardinals defense had a rough day. Between the lines -- where it counts -- the Cardinals defense was strong and resilient.

Cardinals finally have something to celebrate with win over Rams - ArizonaSports.com
For the first time since Week 1, fans leaving University of Phoenix Stadium did so with smiles on their faces. Their joy, while measurable, paled in comparison to how the Cardinals reacted in their locker room, 19-13 winners over the St. Louis Rams. The cheers could be heard from a couple rooms away.

PHOTO: John Skelton Is Happy To Be Alive - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
This isn't what I'd look like if I were being chased down by a bloodthirsty opponents. John Skelton isn't wired right.

PHOTO: Lyle Sendlein Leap-Frogs Praying Teammate - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
This is, by far, the photo of the day. As Reagan Maui'a knelt down to pray -- or Tebow, or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days -- after the Arizona Cardinals' win on Sunday, offensive lineman Lyle Sendlein decided it'd be a great time to engage in a childhood game.

Rams vs. Cardinals highlights
Patrick Peterson returns a punt for 99 yards to help the Cardinals win 19-13 in overtime.

Peterson's walk-off winner
Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson takes a punt 99-yards to the house in overtime to give the Cardinals the victory over their division rivals.

Campbell's 4th Quarter FG Block
Cardinals DE Calais Campbell blocks a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation to send the Cardinals-Rams game into overtime.

Cards Daily - Postgame Reaction St. Louis
In spectacular fashion, the Cardinals outduel the division rival Rams in overtime. Listen as the team gives their thoughts from the locker room.

Arizona Sports News:

ASU football tumbles out of BCS rankings after loss
ASU dropped out of the rankings after losing 29-28 to UCLA on Saturday. It also fell out of the Associated Press and USA Today polls.

NFL News:

Wrap-up: 49ers 19, Redskins 11 - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' 19-11 road victory over the Washington Redskins in Week 9:

Wrap-up: Cowboys 23, Seahawks 13 - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' road defeat to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9:

NFL Week 9 Debrief: Packers, 49ers Cruise (Again) And Things Look Ugly In Indy - SBNation.com
At the halfway point, we know the Packers are the best team in the NFL, the 49ers could wrap up the NFC West before November ends and the Colts are making a strong run at the league's worst team.

(Peterson's return is mentioned here)

NFL Week 9 Scores, Highlights: Giants Win In New England; Ravens Beat Rival Steelers - SBNation.com
Scroll down for all the scores and highlights from NFL Week 9, which included the Giants upsetting the Patriots and the Ravens taking down Pittsburgh at night.

NFL Week 9 Injuries: Hines Ward Takes Head Shot; Miles Austin Hurt Again - SBNation.com
With Week 9 of the NFL schedule almost in the books, SBNation.com's Medical Expert Dr. Ali Mohamadi discusses some of the most significant injuries from this weekend's games, and their potential impact:

NFL Week 9 Highlight Videos: Fancy Catches, Goal-Line Fumbles And More - SBNation.com
The best highlights from Week 9, including Dez Bryant's goal-line folly, Miami's rare aerial dominance and Arian Foster's runs.

Week Nine Monday 10-pack | ProFootballTalk
Midseason report cards and awards be damned, Week Nine is the exact middle of the football season. And if the second half of the season is anything like the second half of Sunday’s action, it’ll be a year to remember. So what better way to wrap up the day than by looking at 10 things we’ll remember from the ninth Sunday of the season?

VIDEO: Mark Sanchez And The Best Holding Call Ever - SBNation.com
Mark Sanchez will probably never live this down. With the New York Jets in the wildcat, Sanchez lined up at wide receiver on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. It just wasn't a good idea. Not only did Sanchez get called for holding, he was on the wrong end of one of the more hilarious incidents you'll see.

Ball So Hard University: Getting To Know Terrell Suggs' Alma Mater - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Terrell Suggs has been a hellbeast all year long, and that didn't change Sunday night, when he and the Ravens harassed Ben Roethlisberger all night long and Baltimore walked away with a crucial win. But it was the top of the broadcast where Suggs really stood out. In case you missed it, here's Suggs introducing himself and his alma mater to America.

Sunday’s five most valuable players, Week 9 - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more

Sunday’s five least valuable players, Week 9 - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Comprehensive National Football League news, scores, standings, fantasy games, rumors, and more