Forget the Super Bowl loser hangover: The 2009 Cardinals are a better team than it was a year ago.
Arizona proved it Sunday night with a 24-17 victory in the Meadowlands. Luckily for the Giants, many of their fans were distracted by another game going on in the Bronx.
The Cardinals are winning this year with defense, which makes Ken Whisenhunt’s firing of defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast after last season look like one of the best executive moves of last offseason.
Kurt Warner has struggled to throw the ball vertically all year, but the Cardinals converted three plays over 20 yards Sunday night, including a 44-yard throw to Anquan Boldin. The passing game was solid, but hardly dominant.
Warner’s relative struggles makes Arizona’s success more impressive because the team is winning differently. Arizona took the lead in the third quarter and rookie Beanie Wells helped to maintain it with 14 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals defense confused Eli Manning all night, forcing three interceptions, including one on New York’s final possession.
The Giants head to Philadelphia next week in a tightening NFC East race, while the Cardinals head home for a date against the Panthers.
Considering how the 49ers are playing and the sense that Warner hasn’t played his best yet, the Cardinals suddenly look like heavy favorites to return to the playoffs. Imagine that.
Three interceptions? Must have been a strong wind in the Meadowlands. Eli is so overrated.
How does Florio spin this Cardinal win? You know this is killing him.
Pervyharvin doesnt know squat about football.
The first interception was not Manning’s fault. Well, I guess you can say it is his fault since he willingly threw the ball to a garbage receiver. Hixon had a one-on-one matchup on a deep post, and made no play on the ball whatsoever. Plaxico is laughing in his cell.
“the 1st INT was not mannings fault.” Please. You sound like the espn prognosticators explaining their way out of missing their pick on the winner of this game. Yeah, I’m sure there will be footmotes about how that INT shouldn’t be credited to Elly.
I think the Giants have the “REDSKIN’S SWINE FLU”, because they’re starting to play like the Redskins. Get Well Soon Giants.
It was an entertaining game and credit should go to Kurt Warner who made some very good passes.
The Giants defense is very good also.
You can’t blame a loss on anyone after a good game between two NFC division leaders.
I know this is rosenthal’s article, but florio plays dirty, and so do I.
To Florio;
All those words and all those other references regarding last year or your diluted opinions make no difference florio. Let’s be VERY CLEAR here. You said there would be a whipping of the cards by the giants.
A WHIPPING.
You were FLAT OUT wrong, and you know it. Man up and say it.
It’s a shame too. You were in heaven yesterday for a while…vikings lost, patriots won, girls won, and then…..oh too bad.
Enjoy the egg on your face once again.
@ hap
I’m not defending Eli. He deserves to have it count against him – maybe he will stop throwing deep to Hixon now.
The point I was trying to make is that the receiver needs to make a play. You got two wideouts on the other team who are pulling down tough catches routinely (not to mention that Boldin is doing it on a badly sprained ankle), and Hixon just watches as DRC jumps right across his face for the pick. Way to help out the quarterback.