Back in 1849, some settlers in the California territory had found gold up in them hills. After news spread across the young nation, about 300,000 gold-seekers made decisions to travel out west and stake their own claims to this new, booming prospect. History was in the making and these historic “gold-seekers” were famously dubbed the 49ers, and-blah, blah, blah. This isn’t a history lesson, this is about NFL football and the Arizona Cardinals.
Santa Clara, Calif.-The table was set when the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. Two teams 1-3 for the season, both seeded at the bottom of the NFC West Division, and both teams in dire need of a victory. One team’s poor record, a valid indication of the flaws and failures that draw out and make for a very long and fruitless season. The other team’s record, maybe not so much. Only time will dictate the future for either squad, but or the most part, the best team won the game.
Arizona Cardinals Week Five, 33-21 Victory Over San Francisco 49ers
The first part of the division match-up was very 1-3 football and nearly unwatchable for even the most avid of fans. Evident from both teams and from both sides of the ball, were a lot of mistakes, some missed opportunities, some bloops and blunders, and a handful of three and outs. The Cardinals had Drew Stanton as their starting quarterback, and the 49ers chose Blaine Gabbert. Back-up quarterback for the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, did not play.
Finally, in the second quarter, both teams started clicking and it became a very watchable match-up. Credit to the 49ers, Blaine Gabbert is a very good quarterback. Desperation created most of the mistakes he may have made throughout the game. Gabbert finished 18 of 31 for 162 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Gabbert also rushed his rear-end off for 70 yards.
More About The Win
With quarterback Carson Palmer out because of concussion protocol, Stanton did his part as game manager for the Cardinals and even sealed a victory. Stanton should be named “Mr. Reliable” as his overall 8-5 record shows, when he is needs to be the starter, he gets the job done. Stanton finished the game 11 of 28 for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
“Once I got settled down and felt good about everything, I was very comfortable,” Stanton said. “My whole goal of this entire day was to come away with a win, we did that and I feel very good about accomplishing that goal.”
Not enough can be said about the performances of wide-receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running-back David Johnson. Each scored two touchdowns and each player probably deserves to be in contention for the Player of the Week award.
With 14 overall, Fitzgerald has the most touchdown receptions among all wide-receivers ever against the 49ers. Along with the two touchdowns, “Fitz” caught six receptions for 81 yards. With no signs of him ever slowing down, it surely puts to rest any rumors of Fitzgerald retiring after this season.
Johnson was the work-horse he needed to be against the 49ers. Running for 157 yards on 27 attempts and his two touchdowns, he now holds the season record for most yards in a game. Johnson also caught three-of-six targets for 28 yards.
How About That Defense?
Well, how about it? It was nice to see Calais Campbell make it to the table, and man did he feast. Securing a tipped pass by Gabbert in the first half for an interception, Campbell created the momentum the Cards needed to win the game. Campbell was also responsible for the safety at the end of the fourth quarter, which will pad his season stats, but the game was already out of reach for the 49ers. Overall, the swarming Cardinals defense did what was expected to seal the victory and finished the day with a whopping seven sacks, two interceptions, and a safety.
“The big thing was (to do) whatever it took to get a victory,” said Campbell, “Find a way to get it done.”
The Take Away.
If there was any glaring take-away from the Cardinals performance, it would have to come from the defensive back-field. Wide-receiver for the 49ers, Jeremy Kerley, was wide open several times throughout the matchup. Kerley finished the game with eight receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Not to mention any names, but someone isn’t doing their job.
Issues in the back-field seem to be recurring for the Cardinals in the first five games of the season. These issues must be addressed and rectified by Coach Bruce Arians and his staff, if he plans on having a winning season and taking his team to the play-offs. Play-offs? Who’s talking about play-offs?
Looking Ahead
Now at 2-3 for the season, the Cardinals cannot grow complacent with their recent win. There are still 11 games to be played on the regular season schedule. Coming off of a Thursday game, the Cards will have a couple of extra days to rest up and prepare for their next opponent.
Next Sunday the Cardinals host the match-up at University of Phoenix Stadium against the New York Jets. Head coach for the Jets, Todd Bowles (former Cardinals defensive coordinator) will be more than happy to see his old team again. I’m sure the feelings will be likewise for the Cardinals. Mind you, this upcoming match-up has nothing to do with kissing and hugging. This ain’t gonna be no friendly meet and greet. This is about football, and football is all that matters.
