azdad1978
Championship!!!!
The Arizona Cardinals improved to a 2-4 record on the season following their 20-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon at Sun Devil Stadium.
1st Quarter
The Titans won the toss and elected to receive the ball. On their first possession of the game Tennessee drove 80 yards down the field in six plays, culminating in a 38 yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Brandon Jones from quarterback Billy Volek. The Titans took an early 7-0 lead with just over eleven and a half minutes left in the 1st quarter.
After a 40 yard return by Reggie Swinton, the Cardinals offense took the field and following a week of silence, Josh McCown was revealed as the starting quarterback. McCown connected with tight end Adam Bergen for a gain of 7 yards on his first attempt. After a loss of six on a run, running back Marcel Shipp redeemed himself and caught an 11 yard pass from McCown for a first down. Two plays later Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was hit with a roughing the passer penalty and the Cards followed that up with a 16 yard reception by Shipp. However on the next play McCown was looking to hit wide receiver Charles Lee but Titans cornerback Reynaldo Hill picked off the pass and returned it 22 yards. The Titans offense took back over at their 39 yard line.
Volek and the Titans offense continued to work their way down the field, but the Cardinals defense was able to hold them off and Tennessee settled for a field goal attempt. Kicker Rob Bironas connected on a 53 yard field goal to extend the Titans lead 10-0 with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter.
McCown and the Cardinals offense struggled to string plays together on their next possession. On the third play of the drive McCown was sacked by safety Lamont Thompson for a loss of 16 yards and the Cards were forced to punt the ball away with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
The Titans offense took back over but the score remained 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
The Cardinals defense was able to stop the Titans on a third and long situation to start the quarter and force them to punt the ball away. After a fair catch by Swinton the Cardinals offense took over at the 7 yard line.
On the first play rookie running back J.J. Arrington showed his potential when he broke through a hole for a 32 yard gain, the longest rush for the Cardinals this season. However, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize off the rookies big run, and were forced to punt the ball back to the Titans.
Penalties hurt the Titans on their next possession, starting with a holding call on the first play of the drive. Running back Jarrett Payton rushed for six yards followed up by a 7 yard reception by tight end Erron Kinney, but the Titans were hit with another penalty on 3rd and 7. Faced with a 3rd and 12 situation, the Titans were their own worst enemy again and had a false start. On 3rd and 17 Chris Brown rushed 8 yards but the Cards defense came up big. Safety Robert Griffith caused Brown to fumble the ball and safety Quentin Harris recovered the ball at the 21 yard line.
The Cards were looking to put some points on the board but McCown was unable to connect with his receivers in the end zone and Arizona settled for a field goal attempt. Kicker Neil Rackers was successful on a 33 yard attempt to narrow in on the Titans 10-3 lead. With that field goal Rackers also improved to 19 for 19 on the season.
Defensively, the Cards continued to pressure Volek and the Titans offense. They forced a quick three and out on the next possession and Tennessee was forced to punt the ball away.
The Tennessee offense was driving down the field again when the Cards defense came up with another big play. Quarterback Billy Volek’s pass, intended for wide receiver Brandon Jones was tipped up in the air by linebacker James Darling and then picked off by cornerback David Macklin. Macklin returned the ball 60 yards for a touchdown and after a Neil Rackers extra point the Cards tied up the game at 10 with 4:44 left in the second quarter.
The Titans were able to put some plays together on their next drive starting with a 5 yard run by Payton. Three plays later Volek hit tight end Ben Troupe for a gain of 6 yards but Arizona’s defense was able to force another punt. The Arizona offense took back over at the 20 yard line with 25 seconds remaining in the first half.
The Cards ran one play and headed to the lockeroom tied 10-10 with the Titans at halftime.
3rd Quarter
Both teams struggled offensively during the third quarter. There were six exchange of possessions before either team was able to put points on the board.
The Cardinals finally gained a first down on their fourth possession of the quarter when McCown hit wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 28 yard gain. McCown followed that big play up with another reception to receiver Bryant Johnson for a gain of 12 yards. Two plays later Anquan Boldin took a left end 9 yards for another Cardinals first down. The Titans rookie cornerback Pacman Jones was hit with a pass interference penalty giving the Cardinals a 1st and 5 situation. Arizona was unable to get into the end zone and were forced to settle for another field goal attempt. Rackers connected on a 24 yard attempt to give the Cardinals a 13-10 lead with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and to extend his streak to 20 successful attempts on the season.
The Tennessee offense took back over and was able to get three plays off to finish off the the third quarter, but were unable to gain a first down. The Cards defense for the third consecutive time held off the Titans offense. The Cardinals were holding onto a 13-10 lead going into the final quarter of the game, as the Titans prepared to punt the ball away.
4th Quarter
The Titans forced a quick three and out to start the fourth quarter. Scott Player punted the ball 42 yards back to the Titans but Jones returned the ball 32 yards down to the Arizona 23 yard line.
On the first play Payton rushed eight yards down the sideline. However, the Cardinals defense was able to hold the Titans on their next two attempts to force Tennessee to settle for a field goal attempt. Following a bad snap Titans kicker Rob Bironas picked up the ball and linebacker James Darling and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett tackled him after a gain of five yards. The Cards offense took back over with 12:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.
McCown continued to have a difficult time finding his receivers and the Titans forced another quick three and out.
The Titans did not gain a first down until under ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when Volek connected with Tyrone Calico for an 11 yard gain. The Titans followed that first down up with another one when Volek hit wide receiver Courtney Roby for a big 31 yard gain. After an offensive pass interference penalty the Titans were faced with a third and 22 situation. The Cards defense held off the Tennessee offense forcing another punt.
The Titans defense was able to keep the pressure on the Cards offense, forcing another three and out. Scott Player punted the ball back to Tennessee and the Titans offense took over at their 38 yard line.
On the first play of the possession, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby sacked Volek for a loss of 4 yards, while at the same time forcing and recovering a fumble. The Cardinals offense took the field again with 6:30 remaining in the game.
Running back Marcel Shipp rushed for 5 yards on the first play of the drive but the Cards were hit with an offsides penalty on right tackle Fred Wakefield during the second play. McCown through an incomplete pass to fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo on the repeat of second down and the Cards were faced with a 3rd and 10 situation. On third down, McCown threw his first completion of the fourth quarter when he hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 34 yard touchdown reception. Rackers connected on the extra point and the Cardinals extended their lead to 20-10 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Quarterback Matt Mauck replaced Volek near the end of the quarter after he suffered a concussion. Mauck and the rest of the Titans offense were able to gain three first downs before the Cards defense was able to stop them on fourth and one with 1:42 left in the game.
The Cards ran down the clock and Scott Player punted the ball back to the Titans with 46 seconds remaining in the contest. The Titans were able to get off two plays to end the game. With their 20-10 win the Cardinals captured their second victory of the season.
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=3156
1st Quarter
The Titans won the toss and elected to receive the ball. On their first possession of the game Tennessee drove 80 yards down the field in six plays, culminating in a 38 yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Brandon Jones from quarterback Billy Volek. The Titans took an early 7-0 lead with just over eleven and a half minutes left in the 1st quarter.
After a 40 yard return by Reggie Swinton, the Cardinals offense took the field and following a week of silence, Josh McCown was revealed as the starting quarterback. McCown connected with tight end Adam Bergen for a gain of 7 yards on his first attempt. After a loss of six on a run, running back Marcel Shipp redeemed himself and caught an 11 yard pass from McCown for a first down. Two plays later Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was hit with a roughing the passer penalty and the Cards followed that up with a 16 yard reception by Shipp. However on the next play McCown was looking to hit wide receiver Charles Lee but Titans cornerback Reynaldo Hill picked off the pass and returned it 22 yards. The Titans offense took back over at their 39 yard line.
Volek and the Titans offense continued to work their way down the field, but the Cardinals defense was able to hold them off and Tennessee settled for a field goal attempt. Kicker Rob Bironas connected on a 53 yard field goal to extend the Titans lead 10-0 with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter.
McCown and the Cardinals offense struggled to string plays together on their next possession. On the third play of the drive McCown was sacked by safety Lamont Thompson for a loss of 16 yards and the Cards were forced to punt the ball away with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
The Titans offense took back over but the score remained 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
The Cardinals defense was able to stop the Titans on a third and long situation to start the quarter and force them to punt the ball away. After a fair catch by Swinton the Cardinals offense took over at the 7 yard line.
On the first play rookie running back J.J. Arrington showed his potential when he broke through a hole for a 32 yard gain, the longest rush for the Cardinals this season. However, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize off the rookies big run, and were forced to punt the ball back to the Titans.
Penalties hurt the Titans on their next possession, starting with a holding call on the first play of the drive. Running back Jarrett Payton rushed for six yards followed up by a 7 yard reception by tight end Erron Kinney, but the Titans were hit with another penalty on 3rd and 7. Faced with a 3rd and 12 situation, the Titans were their own worst enemy again and had a false start. On 3rd and 17 Chris Brown rushed 8 yards but the Cards defense came up big. Safety Robert Griffith caused Brown to fumble the ball and safety Quentin Harris recovered the ball at the 21 yard line.
The Cards were looking to put some points on the board but McCown was unable to connect with his receivers in the end zone and Arizona settled for a field goal attempt. Kicker Neil Rackers was successful on a 33 yard attempt to narrow in on the Titans 10-3 lead. With that field goal Rackers also improved to 19 for 19 on the season.
Defensively, the Cards continued to pressure Volek and the Titans offense. They forced a quick three and out on the next possession and Tennessee was forced to punt the ball away.
The Tennessee offense was driving down the field again when the Cards defense came up with another big play. Quarterback Billy Volek’s pass, intended for wide receiver Brandon Jones was tipped up in the air by linebacker James Darling and then picked off by cornerback David Macklin. Macklin returned the ball 60 yards for a touchdown and after a Neil Rackers extra point the Cards tied up the game at 10 with 4:44 left in the second quarter.
The Titans were able to put some plays together on their next drive starting with a 5 yard run by Payton. Three plays later Volek hit tight end Ben Troupe for a gain of 6 yards but Arizona’s defense was able to force another punt. The Arizona offense took back over at the 20 yard line with 25 seconds remaining in the first half.
The Cards ran one play and headed to the lockeroom tied 10-10 with the Titans at halftime.
3rd Quarter
Both teams struggled offensively during the third quarter. There were six exchange of possessions before either team was able to put points on the board.
The Cardinals finally gained a first down on their fourth possession of the quarter when McCown hit wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 28 yard gain. McCown followed that big play up with another reception to receiver Bryant Johnson for a gain of 12 yards. Two plays later Anquan Boldin took a left end 9 yards for another Cardinals first down. The Titans rookie cornerback Pacman Jones was hit with a pass interference penalty giving the Cardinals a 1st and 5 situation. Arizona was unable to get into the end zone and were forced to settle for another field goal attempt. Rackers connected on a 24 yard attempt to give the Cardinals a 13-10 lead with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and to extend his streak to 20 successful attempts on the season.
The Tennessee offense took back over and was able to get three plays off to finish off the the third quarter, but were unable to gain a first down. The Cards defense for the third consecutive time held off the Titans offense. The Cardinals were holding onto a 13-10 lead going into the final quarter of the game, as the Titans prepared to punt the ball away.
4th Quarter
The Titans forced a quick three and out to start the fourth quarter. Scott Player punted the ball 42 yards back to the Titans but Jones returned the ball 32 yards down to the Arizona 23 yard line.
On the first play Payton rushed eight yards down the sideline. However, the Cardinals defense was able to hold the Titans on their next two attempts to force Tennessee to settle for a field goal attempt. Following a bad snap Titans kicker Rob Bironas picked up the ball and linebacker James Darling and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett tackled him after a gain of five yards. The Cards offense took back over with 12:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.
McCown continued to have a difficult time finding his receivers and the Titans forced another quick three and out.
The Titans did not gain a first down until under ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when Volek connected with Tyrone Calico for an 11 yard gain. The Titans followed that first down up with another one when Volek hit wide receiver Courtney Roby for a big 31 yard gain. After an offensive pass interference penalty the Titans were faced with a third and 22 situation. The Cards defense held off the Tennessee offense forcing another punt.
The Titans defense was able to keep the pressure on the Cards offense, forcing another three and out. Scott Player punted the ball back to Tennessee and the Titans offense took over at their 38 yard line.
On the first play of the possession, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby sacked Volek for a loss of 4 yards, while at the same time forcing and recovering a fumble. The Cardinals offense took the field again with 6:30 remaining in the game.
Running back Marcel Shipp rushed for 5 yards on the first play of the drive but the Cards were hit with an offsides penalty on right tackle Fred Wakefield during the second play. McCown through an incomplete pass to fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo on the repeat of second down and the Cards were faced with a 3rd and 10 situation. On third down, McCown threw his first completion of the fourth quarter when he hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 34 yard touchdown reception. Rackers connected on the extra point and the Cardinals extended their lead to 20-10 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.
Quarterback Matt Mauck replaced Volek near the end of the quarter after he suffered a concussion. Mauck and the rest of the Titans offense were able to gain three first downs before the Cards defense was able to stop them on fourth and one with 1:42 left in the game.
The Cards ran down the clock and Scott Player punted the ball back to the Titans with 46 seconds remaining in the contest. The Titans were able to get off two plays to end the game. With their 20-10 win the Cardinals captured their second victory of the season.
http://www.azcardinals.com/news/news_details.html?iid=3156
