In a game that lived up to the 1-6 record of both teams for four quarters, overtime gave this game a highlight. Patrick Peterson set a franchise record by returning a punt for a touchdown for the third time this season, taking it 99 yards in overtime to give the Cardinals a 19-13 overtime win, snapping their six-game losing streak.
The first half of the game was a story of complete ineffectiveness for the Cardinals. John Skelton marched them down the field in their first drive into the red zone, but the drive halted and they had to settle for a 27-yard Jay Feely field goal.
From there, it was about the Rams moving the ball well but stalling. They relied on Josh Brown for three field goals to lead 9-3 at the half. The Rams held the ball on offense for over 20 minutes in the half.
The second half, Arizona's defense improved, but the offense had only one really good drive. The offense for the Rams consisted of the defense. Thanks to a sack of John Skelton in the end zone and, in their next drive, a Skelton intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, St. Louis scored four points on two safeties.
They scored three on a Feely field goal in the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter, Skelton was able to put it together for one drive. The Cardinals drove 84 yards in nine plays to score a touchdown. Skelton hit Larry Fitzgerald in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 13.
The drama didn't end there. The Rams were stuffed in field goal range on fourth down, giving the Cardinals a chance to win the game, as they have had chances several times this season. After a sack and fumble of John Skelton that he recovered and a short completion, they punted it back to St. Louis.
The Rams moved down the field into field goal range, in part because of a questionable pass interference call on Peterson. Josh Brown came in to kick the game-winning 42-yard field goal, but had it blocked by Calais Campbell, which sent the game into overtime.
The Rams started OT with the ball but were forced to punt. That's where the magic happened.
Peterson caught the ball inside his own ten to return it (going against conventional football wisdom), got past the first wave of coverage, then broke tackles, spinning around, running backwards and taking it to the house for the 99-yard score.
The Rams fall to 1-7 on the year. Sam Bradford threw for 255 yards on 23/36 and a pick (also by Peterson). Steven Jackson rushed 29 times for 130 yards.
For the Cardinals, Skelton was 20/35 for 222 yards and a TD. Beanie Well rushed for only 20 yards. Skelton led the team in rushing with 38 scrambling yards.
On defense, Sam Acho had a sack for the third game in a row and Calais Campbell had 1.5 sacks and six totals tackles to go with his blocked field goal.