Arizona Cardinal cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler both returned interceptions for touchdowns in the first quarter, John Skelton threw for his first career touchdown pass and Jay Feely hit a 48-yard field goal with five seconds left in the game to edge the Dallas Cowboys 27-26 on Christmas night.
It was not pretty, but it was exciting at University of Phoenix Stadium, where two big plays on defense bailed out a mostly stagnant Arizona offense. The Cardinals managed only ten first downs for the game and 271 yards of total offense, but moved the ball down the field in their final drive when they needed to.
John Skelton was 11/25 for 183 yards and a 74-yard touchdown to Andre Roberts. He was not intercepted. Larry Fitzgerald was only thrown to three times and caught only one pass, but it was when it was needed most -- a 26-yard reception on fourth-and-fifteen in the final and critical drive of the game.
The running game was not used much, but Beanie Wells ran strong late in the game, finishing with 47 yards on 11 carries. Rookie Andre Roberts, along with his touchdown catch, led the team with five catches for 110 yards. It was certainly strange to see Roberts and fellow rookie Max Komar combine for eight receptions while Fitz and Steve Breaston combined for one catch (Breaston was shut out and was on the sideline most of the second half).
Dallas put themselves in a hole early with the two interceptions and returns for touchdowns and starter Jon Kitna (who replaced injured starter Tony Romo because of injury) went down with injury. Even still, third-stringer Stephen McGee did his job, completing passes in key moments. Were it not for a David Buehler missed extra point, the game at worst would have gone into overtime.
Dallas was extremely effective on third down (8/18) and rushed for 183 yards. They had 24 first downs and dominated time of possession (the had the ball for over 38 minutes in the game).
McGee finished 11/17 for 111 yards and a score. Miles Austin had six receptions for 115 yards and a TD and Jason Witten had eight catches and a score.