Arizona Cardinals Pull Christmas Eve Victory

On Christmas Eve, the 6 - 8 Philadelphia Eagles visited Sun Devil Stadium to play our 4 - 10 Arizona Cardinals. This game would be the last Cardinal Game played at A.S.U. Next season, the Cards will play in their own stadium in Glendale (or is that Avondale?). The Cardinals' ups and downs in Arizona are legendary. A fan sarcastically held up a sign that read "Thanks For the Memories -- Both of Them".
The Eagles have their own problems, Last season they went to the Super Bowl. Only a few years ago, they were the "Cinderella" team of the NFL. some were even calling them "America's Team". But this season the team has been rocked with discontent and strife. They were trying desperately to avoid their first losing season since 1999. There was the T. Owens controversy and then the injury to Rush Limbaugh's least favorite quarterback, Donovan McNabb. Injuries to key position players have racked this team and turned them from contenders into pretenders.
Cardinal Coach Dennis surprised many by starting quarterback Josh McCown over Jon Navarre, who had played so well last week after replacing an injured Kurt Warner and sick Josh McCown. McCown stepped up today and completed 27 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. The Cards face a difficult decision about the unrestricted free agent McCown and his future with this team.
The Cardinals dominated this contest's first half both offensively and defensively; but could manage six points on two Neil Rakers 32 yard field goals in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cards' wily veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby decided to take matters into his own hands. He blocked and then intercepted a Mike McMahon pass and returned it 11 yards for a Cardinal touchdown. With the Cardinals up 13 - 0, the Eagles got great field position on a kickoff return and drove the ball 66 yards on eight plays; but the drive stalled at the 32 yard line. The Eagles set up for a David Akers field goal. That's when Eagle Coach Andy Reid called for an audible. Instead of an Akers field goal, holder/quarterback Koy Detmer threw the ball 12 yards to Chad Lewis and an Eagle first down. Mike McMahon scrambled to score a much needed Eagle touchdown making the score 13 - 7.
In the third quarter, McCown connected with speedy receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a 25 yard touchdown putting the Big Red up 20 - 7. The Big Red's defense harassed the former Rutger's star Mike McMahon all day sacking him 4 times (2 times by Adrian Wilson and 2 times by Chicke Okeafor). Meanwhile, the Cardinals' defense managed to contain Eagles runningbacks Ryan Moats and Reno Mahe to only 18 years rushing for the game.
In the fourth quarter, the Card's offense drove 97 yards on 13 plays for their longest touchdown drive of the season. McCown connected with Anquan Boldin for a 20 yard touchdown. That's when things suddenly got crazy. Trailing 27 - 7. McMahon then hit wide receiver Billy McMullen on a 21 yard scoring strike making the score 27 - 14. A Cardinal drive stalled and the Eagles got the ball back. The Eagles then drove the ball down the field 49 yards on 6 plays. McMahon then scrambled into the end zone for another Eagle touchdown. With time running out and the Eagles trailing 27 - 21, the Eagles' David Akers tried an onside kick; but Eric Green recovered the ball to stop the Eagles comeback and to preserve a Cardinal victory. "Congratulations to the Cardinals. They outplayed us today," Reid said. "That's my responsibility. I take the blame for that. I did not have this group ready to go."
Next week, the Cardinals travel to Indianapolis to take on the 12 - 2 Colts in their final contest of the 2005 NFL season. The Cards will be playing for pride, respect and an opportunity to finish a distant second in the NFC Western Conference. The Colts have already clinched a playoff spot and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, the Colts have lost two games in a row after winning their first twelve and hardly want to limp into the playoffs.