SB Nation Arizona - Fitzgerald Leads Cardinals 21-19 Comeback Win Over 49ers https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2011-12-12T14:42:49-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23802352011-12-12T14:42:49-07:002011-12-12T14:42:49-07:00NFL Monday Morning Recap: Here Come the Arizona Cardinals
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<figcaption>Fans cheer as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 11, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 21-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals playoff chances are becoming real and a look at the narratives of Tim Tebow/Tony Romo</p> <p>NFL Week 14 is (mostly) in the books and we take a look at the difference in the fascinating narratives of <span>Tony Romo</span> and Tim Tebow. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> both lost their starting quarterbacks, but are heading in different directions. Of course, we start off with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. </p>
<p>The Cardinals vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> game started off and I honestly thought I was watching the Hangover 2. The movie was the exact same plot, but they just stuck it in a different place. The Cards and Niners played less than a month ago in San Francisco; the way this one started I thought I was watching the same exact game, but at University of Phoenix Stadium. </p>
<p>The 49ers were dominating time of possession, not letting the Cardinals offense sustain drives, but Arizona's defense was coming up big by forcing San Fran to settle for three instead of touchdowns. </p>
<p>Then the game started to take a different path. <span>John Skelton</span>, who replaced <span>Kevin Kolb</span> after the first series when Kolb went down with a head injury, connected with <span>Early Doucet</span> for a 60-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Unlike the first game when the Cardinals did not make the 49ers pay for not putting the ball in the end zone they were suddenly up 7-6. </p>
<p>The 49ers responded, but once again the Cards defense forced them to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. This is the risk San Fran takes when you play like they do, keeping games close and relying on your defense to win games. </p>
<p>The Cardinals offense made big plays in the second half and they didn't kick field goals, they scored touchdowns. Skelton hooked up with <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> for another long touchdown, this one 46 yards. They finished the game off with an impressive six play 78 yard drive capped with an <span>Andre Roberts</span> touchdown reception that gave them lead for good.</p>
<p>We <a target="_blank" href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/5/2612098/2011-nfl-monday-morning-recap-arizona-cardinals">mapped out the Cardinals path to the playoffs last week </a>and now Cardinals fans you can really start to think about it a little bit. The last three games of the season for Arizona vs. Cleveland, at Cincinnati, and vs. Seattle are all winnable. Step 1 of what opponents needed to lose took place today with the Bears falling to Denver and the Giants taking down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>. </p>
<p>Looking ahead you're rooting for the Giants to finish in first place and the Cowboys to lose two of their last three so you don't have to worry about a three way tie breaker. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> barely beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a>; I am fully confident they lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> the final week and drop one to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">Chargers</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a>. </p>
<p>I got to be honest, if the Cardinals win out I think they are going to make the playoffs. </p>
<p>Let's hit a couple notes from around the rest of the NFL....</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><b>Tony Romo can't do anything right and Tim Tebow is unbelievable.</b> These are the basic narratives, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but you get the point. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span>Tony Romo threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns Sunday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. He put <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>his team up 12 points, 34-22 with less than six minutes left with a TD pass to Dez Bryant. The Cowboys <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>defense and special tams failed Romo by allowing an 80 yard and 58 yard touchdown drive in those final six <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>minutes that gave up the lead. Not to mention Romo marched the Boys down the field in less than one minute <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>for a game tying field goal that was blocked. Yes, Romo missed a huge pass to <span>Miles Austin</span>, but to put all the <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>blame on him is completely asinine. </p>
<p><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Meanwhile <span>Tim Tebow's</span> offense scores zero points through three quarters. He leads one touchdown drive, <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>gets them in position for a 59 yard field goal, and benefits from <span>Marion Barber</span> giving the game away on two <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>occasions, but he is lauded for being a winner. Do people really not see the insanity in all of this? If Romo is <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the quarterback of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> they win that game by three touchdowns!!!!!</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">The<b> Chicago Bears and Houston Texans both lost their starting quarterbacks</b>, the Texans actually lost their back-up also.I thought both teams would be ok because of their running games and defenses. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span>The Texans ended up being fine and the Bears did not. With <span>T.J. Yates</span> at the helm, Houston pulled off an<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>impressive comeback victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> to give them their first playoff berth in franchise<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>history. Houston has a shot for not only a first round bye, but the #1 seed in the AFC with a 10-3 record. They <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>are currently tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>. </p>
<p>The Bears aren't going to make it through with <span>Caleb Hanie</span>. The defense is still playing great, but they just <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>can't get it done offensively. I really hope this helps people start to appreciate <span>Jay Cutler</span> as a quarterback a lot<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>more. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/12/2629830/nfl-monday-morning-recap-here-come-the-arizona-cardinalsBryan Gibberman2011-12-12T12:59:28-07:002011-12-12T12:59:28-07:00Cardinals vs. 49ers, Recap: Whisenhunt Not Focused On Playoff Scenarios
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> head coach Ken Whisenhunt had no information Monday morning on the biggest injury question facing the team after Sunday's win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. He had not yet spoken to <span>Kevin Kolb</span> or the training staff and therefore had nothing to say about Kolb's status following a blow he took to the back of his head that knocked him out of the game.</p>
<p>Kolb "didn't feel right" after taking the knee to the back of his head and was evaluated by the team doctors who made the call to hold him out for the rest of the game. He will undergo the concussion protocols this week which includes a number of different steps. We should expect to know more on his status for the next game on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The challenge for this week will be not to "get caught up in the win" and remain focused heading into a game against a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> (4-9). The Cardinals should be favored in this game, at home, by at least four points.</p>
<p>Whisenhunt says the team isn't paying attention to playoff scenarios and "scoreboard watching".</p>
<p> "None of it matters if we don't win this week and that's the approach we've taken the last six weeks and it's worked pretty good for five of them," he said.</p>
<p><b><span>John Skelton</span> and the game plan </b></p>
<p>The Cardinals were forced to adjust on the fly when Kolb was knocked out of the game on the first series. It helped that Skelton had started four other games which allowed the team to stick to the game plan and even create a few plays on the sideline based on what the Niners were doing.</p>
<p>Skelton handled it well, showed poise in the pocket, used his feet to make plays and completed some nice throws. The two interceptions need to be eliminated according to Whisenhunt. Bother were decision-making mistakes.</p>
<p>Whisenhunt provided an insight into the game plan:</p>
<p>"We had a number of different approaches we were going to try and we finally hit on one in the second half. We spread them out a little bit and went into some of our "sub" stuff which we thought was going to be good coming in. They tried to match us up with their base, with their regular personnel and that's when we hurt them with the shot to Early (Doucet) for the touchdown. That got them into matching with us and that gave us what we wanted as far as the plan goes and we were able to move it a little better in the second half."</p>
<p><b>Defense and a turning point</b></p>
<p>The Cardinals defense has played extremely well over the last six games. Here's a few notes assembled by the team PR staff:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Over the last six games, opposing offenses have 77 total drives. In those 77 drives, the Cardinals defense has allowed just six TDs. Below is a breakdown of the defensive performance over that time:</span></p>
<p> <b>Opponent's 77 offensive drives over the past six games</b></p>
<ul>
<li>47 drives totaled five plays or fewer</li>
<li>45 drives covered 25 yards or fewer</li>
<li>37 drives resulted in a punt-only Denver (42) forced more punts than the Cards in that span</li>
<li>8 drives resulted in missed FGAs, including three FGAs that were blocked by Arizona</li>
<li>Of the six TDs allowed, three came on drives that began inside Arizona territory, including two drives that followed turnovers</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>One other thing that's stood out is getting five sacks from five different players in each of the last two games.</p>
<p>"Listen, I would rather have five guys have five sacks than have one guy have five sacks because it makes you much more difficult to defend when you do that," Whisenhunt said.</p>
<p>Asked about a turning point on defense during the season, Whisenhunt said the one moment that stood out was in the first St. Louis game (Nov 6) when the Cardinals got stops on third and fourth and 1 late in the game:</p>
<p>"I believe at that point, in a critical situation where really it was tough, that we had to do something, that our guys stood up. And I really believe that at that point, because you had a couple of different guys in that series make plays and they did it the right way, they used the proper technique, they communicated, they got lined up right, and I think guys really started to buy in at that point. I don't necessarily think you can say there is one point, but it sure appeared that way to me. We were getting better the whole time but that was a point where our guys really needed to step up and they did and I think that certainly helped."</p>
<p><b>Other notes and quotes:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">"There's a great team chemistry right now with our guys. There's no offense vs. defense or anything like that...</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Guys are just playing football and they are expecting to be successful." - Whisenhunt</span>
</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Whisenhunt given a game ball by <span>Lyle Sendlein</span> on behalf of the team in recognition of winning his 42nd game as Cardinals coach which tied for the lead for the Cardinals franchise.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Whisenhunt on making big plays on offense this year: "It means that we're close. We're close to being a better, efficient team on both sides of the ball. Make plays and win a lot of games."</span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Whisenhunt said he was r</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">unning out of things to say about Larry Fitzgerald. The catches, the block during Doucet's TD catch and a touchdown-saving tackle on an interception all were huge.</span>
</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Whiz stressed how unselfish Fitzgerald is, rooting for teammates when they do great things, and how hard he works in practice each week to keep trying to get better. Despite his unselfishness, Fitz also wants the ball and often will lobby for certain plays and point out times he is open and what's working during a game.</span></li>
</ul>
<div><b><i>For more on the Cardinals, visit <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com" target="_blank">Revenge of the Birds</a> blog.</i></b></div>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/12/2630776/arizona-cardinals-vs-san-Francisco-49ers-recap-whisenhunt-playoff-scenariosSeth Pollack2011-12-12T08:01:32-07:002011-12-12T08:01:32-07:00Cardinals Vs. 49ers Recap By The Numbers: John Skelton Leads Cardinals To Upset Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> hosted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> on Sunday and were able to walk away with a come-from-behind, 21-19 upset win over the postseason-bound Niners. Here's a look at some of the key offensive performers that allowed the birds to come away with the victory.</p>
<p>Quarterback John Skelton did give up two interceptions, but was the outstanding passer in the game. While the Arizona defense held the San Francisco to four first-half field goals and a <span>Frank Gore</span> touchdown, Skelton helped keep the Cardinals alive offensively, heaving a 60 yard touchdown pass to <span>Early Doucet</span> midway through the second quarter that actually put Arizona ahead at the time. In all, Skelton contributed directly to all three Arizona scores, which the defense allowed to hold up for the win. Skelton finished the game 19-for-28 with 282 passing yards, three touchdowns, 25 rushing yards and 106.5 passer rating.</p>
<p><span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> led all receivers in the game with 149 receiving yards on seven catches. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a 46 yard pass from Skelton. Andre Roberts also caught a touchdown pass, a three yarder in the fourth quarter that put Arizona on top for good. Roberts only had two catches for eight yards.</p>
<p>The Cardinals chose to focus on the air attack in this game. Skelton was second in Arizona rushing yards behind <span>Beanie Wells</span>, who picked up 27 yards on 15 carries, averaging only 1.8 yards per.</p>
<p><i>For all news and information regarding the Arizona Cardinals, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Revenge of the Birds</a>.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/12/2629670/cardinals-vs-49ers-2011-recap-stat-john-skelton-larry-fitzgerald-early-doucetBill Hanstock2011-12-12T07:01:43-07:002011-12-12T07:01:43-07:00NFL Playoff Picture: Cardinals Could Still Make The Postseason
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> must be feeling pretty satisfied following their upset win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> on Sunday. But what the players themselves may not even have realized is just how much they helped their own chances at making the playoffs with that win.</p>
<p>As inconceivable as it may seem, the Cardinals are now in ninth place overall in the NFC with a 6-7 record. The top six teams from each conference earn playoff berths. At the moment, there are only two teams separating the Cardinals from the top six: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, both of whom own 7-6 records.</p>
<p>The Cardinals have three games remaining, all against beatable teams. On Sunday, they'll host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>. In Week 16 they will visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, then wrap up the season back at home against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. If the Cards manage to win all three games, they'll possess a 9-7 record. Combine that with some losses for Chicago and Dallas -- both teams who are far from dominant -- and Arizona may wind up in the postseason in 2011. It will be extremely interesting to see how these next few weeks play out.</p>
<p><i>For all news and information regarding the Cardinals, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Revenge of the Birds</a>.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/12/2629747/nfl-playoff-picture-2011-arizona-cardinals-dallas-cowboys-chicago-bearsBill Hanstock2011-12-11T19:20:14-07:002011-12-11T19:20:14-07:00Cardinals Vs. 49ers Post Game Reaction: Belief Never Wavered For Arizona
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> have climbed out of the deep hole they dug to start the season and are on a legitimate roll. After winning their first game (barely), the team went on to lose five-straight and quickly found themselves all but written off by most observers.</p>
<p>They struggled in all facets of the game and couldn't close out opportunities both on the road and at home. Since then, they've won five of six including wins over quality teams in the Dallas Cowboy and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
<p>The Cardinals now find themselves at 6-7 and somehow, still in the hunt for a Wildcard playoff berth. That turnaround might comes as a surprise to some, but inside the locker room, the belief was always there.</p>
<p>"We knew the whole time we weren't a 1-6 football team. That's what our record was and what everyone perceived us as, but we know in the locker room that we were much better than what our record showed," star wide receiver <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> said after the game.</p>
<p>This game was a microcosm for the Cardinals season. It was an improbable come from behind win with a back up quarterback who's struggled recently and turned the ball over three times against one of the best football teams in the league.</p>
<p>This win didn't just happen and it wasn't the result of a trick play, a bad call, or some other random act of sporting luck.</p>
<p>The Cardinals won this game in the second half when the offense dominated the time of position and field position battle. The Cardinals defense won this game in the first half when they held the 49ers to zero touchdowns despite four trips deep inside the scoring zone.</p>
<p>In other words, the Cardinals won this game because they always believed they would win this game and they never wavered.</p>
<p>Team leader <span>Darnell Dockett</span> described that belief: "There wasn't any bickering or yelling, we just said we were going to win the game in the fourth quarter...We knew it was going to come down to the fourth quarter. We did that. I'm proud of us. I'm proud of our team that stuck together and not complaining about anything."</p>
<p>Coach Ken Whisenhunt also remarked about the team's belief.</p>
<p>"We're resilient today and that's what it was all about. We fought field position but we didn't get down. We started the second half with a bug thud, but our guys, they believe in what we are doing and that's big. It was a team win for us," Whisenhunt said about Sunday's contest before later talking about the bigger picture of the season that's turned around.</p>
<p>"You guys stuck a fork in us quite awhile ago, you know, and I think our guys never let it get to them. How many times did we say during those first weeks that we're going to stay the course and it was going to turn for us. We believed it, we believed in what we're doing and we still do and we're just seeing the benefit of that."</p>
<p>Where does that belief come from? </p>
<p>According to ILB Daryl Washington, "It comes from the leaders but also the whole team."</p>
<p>In training camp we heard this talk about what a great group of players this was and how good the chemistry would be. That was tested with a lot of adversity and this team passed.</p>
<p>Regardless of how the season ends, there's no way not to be optimistic about the future with a full offseason and the experience from this year with Ray Horton's defensive system.</p>
<p>The offense still lags behind and the unfortunate early head injury to <span>Kevin Kolb</span> robbed us of an important opportunity to see how he handled a test like this. The defense, however, is very much a bright spot for the first time in the Whisenhunt era. </p>
<p>According to DE Calais Campbell (who had another big game), if it hadn't been for the lockout the Cardinals would be 11-1 right now. That might be a stretch, but there's little doubt that this team's early season challenges were not a matter of personnel or bad coaching.</p>
<p>As Whisenhunt said, the team stayed the course and the team is now seeing the rewards of that faith.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/11/2629178/cardinals-vs-49ers-post-game-reaction-belief-never-wavered-for-arizonaSeth Pollack2011-12-11T17:35:55-07:002011-12-11T17:35:55-07:00Arizona Cardinals Rally Behind John Skelton, Larry Fitzgerald, Defense For 21-19 Win Over San Francisco 49ers
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<p>After Kevin Kolb left the game with a head injury after their first offensive series, <span>John Skelton</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> defense upset the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> 21-19. It was their fifth win in their last six games and kept their playoff hopes alive. </p>
<p>Kolb was kneed in the back of the helmet by 49ers linebacker <span>Ahmad Brooks</span> on a play in which he was blindsided as he was trying to make a throw. He fumbled on the play, but the Cardinals recovered, and Kolb left the game, never to return.</p>
<p>The first half was, except for one offensive play, complete domination by the 49ers. The Cardinals only had the ball on offense for just over seven minutes of the possible 30. It seemed that the entire half was played on the Cardinals side of the field. Two first quarter field goals gave the Niners a 6-0 lead. </p>
<p>The Cardinals did get one huge jolt of momentum in the second quarter. After a third down reception by Kyle Williams that was short of a first down, San Francisco lined up for a 50-yard field goal. They ran a fake and completed a pass that would have been for a first down, but the play was called dead because Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt had thrown his challenge flag to contest the catch. Because of an equipment malfunction, there was no replay available, so they did not get charged a time out and retain their challenge. The call would have been upheld, but it eliminated the fake play.</p>
<p>On the ensuing field goal attempt, <span>David Akers</span> missed wide right, so they gave the ball back to Arizona.</p>
<p>On the very next play, John Skelton hit <span>Early Doucet</span> in stride for a 60-yard touchdown that gave the Cards a 7-6 lead.</p>
<p>Two more field goals by Akers in the second quarter had the 49ers leading 12-7 at the half. </p>
<p>It is notable, though, that one of the biggest plays of the game was a special teams tackle by <span>Rashad Johnson</span> in the first quarter. Ted Ginn returned a punt and got past the first wave of coverage and looked like he was going to score. Long snapper <span>Mike Leach</span> closed the running lane and forced Ginn back toward the middle of the field, where Johnson made the stop inside the five-yard line. The defense held them to a field goal. </p>
<p>The feeling was that falling behind 10-0 would have been insurmountable.</p>
<p>The second half was a completely different story. </p>
<p>It didn't start that way, though. </p>
<p>San Francisco scored on a 37-yard <span>Frank Gore</span> touchdown run on their first play in the second half to make the score 19-7. The Niners would not score again. </p>
<p>The next possession for the Cardinals began the turnaround. They went six plays and 80 yards to score a touchdown to pull within 19-14. It was a bad pass from Skelton that looked like was going to be intercepted by San Francisco's Dashon Goldson, but <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> jumped in front of him, took the ball away and ran after the catch for a 46 yard score. </p>
<p>Arizona forced the 49ers to punt after three plays on the next series, and Arizona moved the ball enough to flip field position, as a punt had San Fran starting at their own 10. They would have another three-and-out.</p>
<p>The next possession could have been disastrous. Skelton threw an interception, but the Arizona defense forced another punt. </p>
<p>Skelton and the Cardinals offense went 78 yards on six plays in the fourth quarter and scored on a three-yard reception by Andre Roberts. That gave the Cardinals their final lead at 21-19. </p>
<p>From there, the defense shut down the Niners. San Francisco did not get another first down the rest of the way. They had two more three-and-outs and turned the ball over on downs with the final drive.</p>
<p>Skelton finished the game 19/28 for 282 yards, three TDs and two picks. Larry Fitzgerald led the team in receptions and yards. He had seven catches for 149 yards and a score, and he surpassed 1000 yards on the season. It is the fourth straight year he has done so and the fifth time in his career.</p>
<p>Running the ball was difficult. <span>Beanie Wells</span> rushed 15 times for only 27 yards. </p>
<p>The defense kept Frank Gore in check. He ran for only 72 yards, but 37 of those came on his scoring run. Alex Smith threw for only 175 yards and Arizona sacked him five times. </p>
<p><span>Darnell Dockett</span> and <span>Adrian Wilson</span> had great games, as they made plays all over the field. </p>
<p>The Cardinals are now 6-7 on the season and, with three winnable games left on the schedule, have fans believing that the playoffs are really a possibility. </p>
<p><i>Head on over to </i><a href="http://revengeofthebirds.com" target="_blank"><i>Revenge of the Birds</i></a><i> to get more Cardinals coverage.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/11/2629026/arizona-cardinals-rally-behind-john-skelton-larry-fitzgerald-defenseJess Root2011-12-11T16:38:45-07:002011-12-11T16:38:45-07:00Cardinals Vs. 49ers Score Update: Arizona Finds End Zone But Still Trails
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<p>The Arizona Cardinals are certainly showing signs of life against the San Francisco 49ers team that's beat them in their last five meetings but they still trail 19-14 heading into the fourth quarter. John Skelton, playing in place of Kevin Kolb who left the game in the first quarter with a head injury, has two great touchdown passes but has also thrown two interceptions and fumbled the ball.</p>
<p>The Cardinals started the third quarter with a series of penalties on offense and once again were forced to punt from their end zone. On the ensuing play, the 49ers started their drive on the Arizona 37 and thanks to Frank Gore's run ended the drive with a touchdown run. </p>
<p>That put the Cardinals down 19-7 and they seemed to be on the ropes. The defense held, however, and John Skelton put together an 80-yard scoring drive. The drive culminated with a 46-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald who beat his man over the middle and ran in for the score. With the play, Fitzgerald went over 1,000 yards receiving for the sixth time in his career.</p>
<p>The Cardinals defense is playing well, holding the 49ers to just 207 total yards in the game. Arizona has 227 yards offense.</p>
<p><a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/11/2628943/larry-fitzgerald-arizona-cardinals-vs-san-francisco-49ers-video" target="_blank">Here's video</a> of Fitzgerald's great catch and run for a touchdown. </p>
<p><i><b>To talk about the game with Cardinals fans, <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" target="_blank">head to Revenge of the Birds</a>. To discuss things with 49ers fans, <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/" target="_blank">go to Niners Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/11/2628924/arizona-cardinals-vs-san-francisco-49ers-score-updateSeth Pollack2011-12-11T16:33:21-07:002011-12-11T16:33:21-07:00Cardinals Vs. 49ers Video: Larry Fitzgerald Incredible TD Catch
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> were holding onto a two touchdown lead against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, but then <span>John Skelton</span> finally got them going on a crucial drive early.</p>
<p>Instead of playing the receiver, 49ers defender <span>Dashon Goldson</span> gambled for the football against <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span>, which is never a good idea against a receiver of Fitz's caliber. Because Fitzgerald is pretty good, and he can do things like this, Arizona got their second touchdown of the game to make it a 19-14 game. Check out the video here.</p>
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<p>Arizona is right back in it with San Francisco, and it's a one score game going into the 4th quarter. Fitzgerald has four catches for 83 yards and one touchdown, and Skelton and the Cardinals are still very much in this game.</p>
<p><i><b>To talk about the game with Cardinals fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com">head to Revenge of the Birds</a>. To discuss things with 49ers fans, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com">go to Niners Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2011/12/11/2628943/larry-fitzgerald-arizona-cardinals-vs-san-francisco-49ers-videoAvinash Kunnath