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Welcome to the weekend. We have some stories from Friday. Read on and click through the ones that interest you.
Pasch Factor: Mathieu Defensive POY candidate
Safety has a chance to earn NFL's highest defensive award
Cardinals Blogs | QBs, bucket tosses and Gatorade chaps
On Fridays, the Cardinals quarterbacks (and cornerback Patrick Peterson) take part in a bucket competition — heaving passes at a trash can from about 15 yards away. It’s a friendly way to battle. But there are very real consequences. Here, let’s let Carson Palmer explain.
Paul Calvisi brings you all the news and notes leading into Sunday's game against the Rams.
Cardinals Chronicles - Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson chronicles the big win in San Francisco and welcoming his new born baby girl on Thanksgiving.
Wired: Jerraud Powers at San Francisco
Get wired into the Cardinals' win with Jerraud Powers against the 49ers.
Cardinals to replace David Johnson on kickoff returns - ESPN Video
With rookie RB David Johnson now the Cardinals starting running, he won't be returning kicks Sunday in St. Louis.
Cardinals' Andre Ellington ruled out for Sunday, seeing specialist - Arizona Cardinals Blog- ESPN
Also ruled out were cornerback Jerraud Powers (calf) and defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (ankle).
Leadership of Arizona Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson on display - Arizona Cardinals Blog- ESPN
Last season Patrick Peterson wasn't the leader he has grown into. This season the Pro Bowl corner is more vocal and is holding teammates accountable.
It's not time for Larry Fitzgerald and Cardinals to "start smelling (the) roses" - NBCSPORTS1060.COM
Fitzgerald needs eight yards to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the season. It would be his seventh career 1,000 + yard receiving season. He also needs 56 yards to pass Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed (13,198) for 15th place on the NFL’s all-time receiving yardage list. He also needs eight catches to reach 1,000 receptions for his career.
Patrick Peterson's playing football at a level he's never been to before - NBCSPORTS1060.COM
"I knew what held me back last year: I was fat, and I couldn’t make any plays," Peterson said. "I was one or two steps behind making a play. I knew what kept me back last year of hindering my play."
NFL analyst Albert Breer says coaching staff is key to Cardinals' success - Arizona Sports
While Palmer gets a lot of credit for this team, Albert Breer thinks what Arians and Co. are doing with their talent is what makes this team so special.
Cards G Cooper 'obviously not' playing as well as he needs to
This was supposed to be Jonathan Cooper's breakout season, with the third-year pro finally making good on the potential that led the Arizona Cardinals to pick him seventh overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Dominating NFC West a step toward Cardinals' ultimate goal
Rashad Johnson didn't pull punches when asked about the importance of winning division games like Sunday's game in St. Louis against the Rams.
NFL:
Chart Party: Aaron Rodgers threw a Hail Mary that never, ever, ever happens - SBNation.com
Last night's Packers-Lions game finished with one of the weirdest endings to a football game in the 21st century. Let's make some charts.
Brett Favre once drowned a deer - SBNation.com
As a boy, Brett Favre did everything that you're not supposed to do when you go deer hunting.
The NFL says the Lions didn't get screwed - SBNation.com
Head of officiating Dean Blandino defended close calls on the final plays of a controversial finish on Thursday night.
YO, THAT'S A REALLY HIGH THROW.
The Lions did their best Browns imitation on Thursday night - SBNation.com
A last-second, walk-off Hail Mary gave the Packers a big win and prevented the upset. So how did the Lions blow a 20-0 lead to let that happen?
Calvin Johnson melted into a puddle of tears after the Packers' Hail Mary win - SBNation.com
Heartbreak city.