Cardinals survive in the desert on MNF!!!!

The game started with a kickoff return for a touchdown by the visitor’s, yes the San Francisco 49ers grabbed a 7-0 lead only twelve seconds into the game over the Arizona Cardinals.  This was just the start of a wild game between the NFC West Division leaders and a 49ers team playing with an edge and purpose that I haven’t seen in a few years.  This 49ers team was full value tonight and should have walked out of the University of Phoenix Stadium with a win for interim head coach Mike Singletary.

The decision to start Shaun Hill turned out to be a very good one as Hill engineered a couple of nice scoring drives, but like any QB starting for the first time this year, he had a few key mistakes too.   The INT he threw in the 4th quarter led to Arizona grabbing the lead for the first time all game long.  A failed 2 point convert left the Cards leading 29-24, which ended up being the final score.

The Cards had two INT’s returned for TD’s but both were nullified by players lining up offside. 

Kurt Waner had another outstanding game throwing for 328 yards and 3 TD’s on 32 of 42 passing.  The guy continues to get it done and push for a possible league MVP!  Who would have thought that to start the year?

The Cards inability to run the ball almost cost them the game after taking over on their own 15 yard line with a little over two minutes left due to a Adrian Wilson interception when Hill tried a shuffle pass.  The Cards had to punt the ball away and give the Niners one last crack at winning this game.  A poor punt that netted 28 yards gave the Niners great field position with just over a minute remaining.  But it was the Cards rush defense that rose to the occasion with two goal line stops, the last on 3rd and goal as time expired with San Francisco having no timeouts left.  Still the Cards had 46 yards rushing and that isn’t going to get it done as the Cards push for a division title.  Arizona needs to establish the run next week at Seattle or they will find themselves struggling on the road once again.

Edgerrin James, 2 carries for 4 yards!  How the mighty have fallen?

Zach

Like this post? Share it »

Last post (s) by Zach Smith

• Scarlett Red Zone - Cardinals look to ground Falcons - January 2nd, 2009
• Cardinals set to host Falcons in first round of the playoffs - December 28th, 2008
• Cardinals looking to snap 2 game skid - December 2nd, 2008
• Cards dominate the Rams and take stranglehold of NFC West division lead - November 2nd, 2008
• Better effort, same road result for Arizona - October 26th, 2008