NFL NUGGETS : Cardinals rise from 61-year-old ashes
Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009
PAUL CONNORS Associated Press Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) gains a first down during the fourth quarter of the Cardinals' 30-24 win Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.
Congrats, Cards, it was a
long time coming.
The fact that Saturday's 30-24 win over Atlanta was the Arizona Cardinals' first home playoff victory in 61 years should tell you something about the history of the franchise. But right row, the Cardinals are doing just fine and find themselves headed into the divisional round of the playoffs to face Carolina.
Arizona has a great new stadium, and the fans have actually made it an uncomfortable place to play (except when Dallas visits).
On Saturday, I expected Arizona to win a shootout on the strength of its great pass attack. I was surprised at how well the Cards ran the ball and played defense against Atlanta. They'll have to keep doing both if they want to keep winning.
The Cards may have stumbled their way into the playoffs, but they seem sure-footed right now.
Will they have their legs under them after another long trip east? We'll know more on Saturday night in frigid Charlotte.
Horrible refs update
The refs again tried to ruin some great games last weekend. The Colts really got it stuck to them hard in overtime against the Chargers.
But one call really chapped my haunch. There was a phantom holding call against Philadelphia on a punt return early in the second half against Minnesota on Sunday. The Jets got burned on one of these a few weeks back.
These calls are just inexcusable to me. Unless the ref is absolutely sure he's seeing a hold, why would he throw a flag? Officials should always err on the side of letting the players play.
I can live with some holding not getting called - like when Cardinals DE Bertrand Berry was blatantly held in the end zone against Atlanta on Saturday. But why throw the flag if you're not sure?
True perfection
That's right, I went 4-0 with my playoff picks last week. No, I don't work for Vegas or the NFL officiating department. I'm just really, really smart.
My preseason Super Bowl pick of the Giants over the Chargers still looks pretty good right now, too. I must be some kind of brain genius.
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Week 15 Golden Nugget: Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego. The little guy came up big on Saturday night. Using his other-worldly acceleration, Sproles zipped through the Colts for 105 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, 106 kickoff yards, 72 punt return yards and two rushing touchdowns, including the 22-yard gamewinner in overtime.
Sproles can share his nugget of glory with Chargers punter Mike Scifres, who pinned the Colts deep all night.
Week 15 Chicken Nugget: Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami. The Ravens' defense was at its ravenous best on Sunday, smashing the Miami ground game for the second time this season. Baltimore stuffed Brown for 19 yards on 12 carries, with a long run of 6 yards. Served.
By the way, Ed Reed should be the Defensive MVP. Just my two cents.
Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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