What we learned in the Arizona Cardinals 20-10 victory over the 49ers

It's uncommon and in fact, it may not happen again.

Yet, for one game, the Arizona Cardinals became a team predicated on running the football.

Sure their greatest offensive success under Bruce Arians is when he has a good running game, but he's still Bruce Arians and he still loves to throw the ball around the yard.

That wasn't the case in the Cardinals methodical, plodding and sometimes boring 20-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon.

Arians handed the ball off to veteran running back Adrian Peterson 37 times, the most of his Hall of Fame career.

Peterson responded with a workman-like 159 yards for 4.3 yards per carry. His long run of 25 yards came late in the game when the Cardinals were by their own goal line and looking to run out the clock.

In all running backs carried the ball 39 times, while Drew Stanton threw the ball only 30.

Even if we count the couple of scrambles of Stanton the play calling was more runs than passes and it was the right call.

Is it a method the Cardinals can live by? Maybe. Maybe Adrian Peterson has enough left in the tank to carry the Cardinals near a respectable record.

Maybe Peterson can do enough to make life a little easier for Drew Stanton and the passing game.

Stanton was average, by almost every definition: 15/30 passing, 50%. Two touchdowns to one interception… 2:1 TD to INT ratio. Both… average.

Yet, that's all the Cardinals, in this game needed him to be.

This ship isn't sunk.

It may be taking on water, but the bands still playing.

Thursday night is another chance to stay afloat.

Whether it's that or time to abandon ship, we shall see.