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In Week 15 the Arizona Cardinals continued their unique winning style, but most important they continued a four game win streak. Finding just one play to call the play of the game differs from person to person and can depend on your favorite player, side of the ball, position, or anything else that makes you say "that was it, we'd have lost if not for that". This week there are a few plays that stand out as candidates; O'Brien Schofield's back-to-back sacks and forced fumble to set up the game tying points, Patrick Peterson's incredible punt return in overtime, or the following play when Larry Fitzgerald made the 32 yard catch and run to set up the game winning score. I've read an article this week that specifically said the PP21 run back aligned the stars for the Arizona Cardinals and put the focus needed into the team to finish the game. I like that line of thinking, but what about the argument for Schofield's sacks leading to the points on the board to get to overtime? What about Fitz nearly running the deep pass in for a touchdown in OT? His catch and run essentially sealed the win by getting Jay Feely into chip shot range.
What will be the play of the game this week? Let's discuss after the junp!
By now you've all learned that I hate to settle for one of anything, so I'll pick two. My primary play of the game has to go to O'Brien Schofield for getting those two sacks in the fourth quarter. With rookie Sam Acho stepping up and making a big name for himself at ROLB, Schofield has been a situational pass rusher sharing time with Clark Haggans and just unable to get over the hump learning Ray Horton's defense. He is performing well, but has not made his impact on the defense until Week 15. Those two sacks changed the momentum of the game, and the fumble caused by the second sack allowed the Cardinals to get into a position to win or tie the game. Without these two plays, the secondary play of the game doesn't happen.
The secondary play of the game has to go to Patrick Peterson for putting the game on his shoulders and showing patience and maturity as a player. He waited for the moment when he could unleash and make a play, and it happened in OT ... again. I thought he was going to the house, but his 30+ yard run back was good enough. The Cardinals started just outside Jay Feely's field goal range. After the Cleveland Browns kicked away from him all day you can't ask for anything more than a great run back at a perfect time.
What is your play of the game? Should it have gone to the Fitz catch in OT? Or something else?