Cardinals GM Steve Keim: Sunday’s win could build team confidence

Winning ugly.

That’s what the Arizona Cardinals have done on two different occasions so far in 2017. Their latest duckling of a victory came Sunday, 18-15 in overtime over the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game featured nine field goals until Carson Palmer found Larry Fitzgerald on a 19-yard touchdown pass with only 32 seconds remaining in overtime.

A win is a win.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim believes a win such as Sunday’s could push the team in a positive direction.

“I think any time you can win a game, it’s a positive,” Keim told Doug & Wolf Monday morning on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “I certainly would have preferred to win 38-10, but I think winning a game like this, particularly early in the season, can do some things for your team internally that builds confidence.

“You know, when you face adversity, when the odds are stacked against you and you come up and make big plays in clutch situations. I think that confidence can permeate through your locker room and it can certainly serve you well as the season moves along.”

Keim offered his thoughts on individual players that probably did the most to gain confidence Sunday. He started with wide receiver John Brown, who missed the two previous games with a quad injury.

“Just from the standpoint that he’s battled injuries. He came back (Sunday) and not only did he make some clutch catches, I think he created two or three pass interference calls, which is exactly what John Brown brings to this offense,” Keim said. “The unique ability to take the top off, to put fear in defenders where they have to put their hands on him and try to disrupt his routes.

“And he just brings another element to our offense, which was sorely missed.”

Brown finished the game with three catches for 47 yards, but was able to draw two pass interference penalties on San Francisco, totaling 43 yards.

The Cardinals pack up for their third Eastern road trip of the young season and they’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We’ll have our hands full next weekend and our work cut out for us,” Keim said.

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