ADAM GREEN

Arizona Cardinals show toughness and composure in win over San Francisco 49ers

Sep 22, 2014, 1:34 AM | Updated: 1:53 am

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GLENDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco 49ers have played in bigger games than this one. Yet, when the pressure started to mount, they started to wilt.

On Sunday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium, it was the Arizona Cardinals who kept their composure; it was the Cardinals who rose to the occasion.

Arizona went into the afternoon looking to make a statement, and they did exactly that with a 23-14 win.

“We get hit, and we hit them right back,” safety Tony Jefferson said. “Harder.”

Indeed. While the 49ers dominated the first half en route to a 14-6 lead at the break, it was the Cardinals who took over in the second. Not only did Arizona keep San Francisco off the scoreboard during the final 30 minutes, but their four offensive drives resulted in two touchdowns, one field goal and one fumble at the Niners’ 5-yard line.

It was as dominant a half as you could ask for. San Francisco was the only NFC West team Arizona couldn’t beat last season, and with Sunday’s win, the Cards now have a 3-0 record and a two-game lead over their rival. But maybe even more impressive is how Arizona won this game — essentially by out-49ering the 49ers.

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