Arizona Cardinals hang on, beat Washington Redskins 31-23

It was the culmination of a season filled with frustration and hope all combining into one game.

That was this Arizona Cardinals 31-23 win over the Washington Redskins.

It started out promising again, as the Arizona Cardinals and their offense started out fantastic. A drive lasting 8:17, resulting in a David Johnson touchdown set the tone for a back and forth, hard hitting, and quite frankly fun football game.

The Arizona Cardinals defense was bend but don't break for much of the game, giving up six points in the first half, and sneaking a field goal in just before the half taking a 10-6 lead.

It didn't last long, as the Skins came out and connected on a deep throw down the field to DeSean Jackson to set up the Skins first touchdown of the game on a Kirk Cousins run and give them a 13-10 lead.

Calais Campbell made the first big defensive play in a while, as he had a sack, fumble that Markus Golden recovered and brought down into the red zone for the Cardinals.

Palmer found Michael Floyd for six and the lead.

The Skins responded quickly with a touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder, recapturing the lead at 17-13.

Again, the Arizona Cardinals found a way to respond going down the field and running a successful screen, for the first time in what seems like franchise history, to go up 24-20.

The Skins responded with a long drive for a field goal and the Cardinals, clinging to a 24-23 lead, made plays we haven't seen them make all season.

After a gutsy 4-1 run up the middle, Bruce Arians went deep, and J.J. Nelson made the play, making an amazing grab and securing it, making 31-23.

It was slightly contentious on the last drive, but after two killer penalties gave the Skins life, back to back safety blitzes by D.J. Swearinger led to a Patrick Peterson interception, that keeps the Cardinals in the playoff race… someway… somehow.