Fake punts keep Cardinals in the game against Pittsburgh

Dec 8, 2019, 5:12 PM | Updated: 6:07 pm

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry (4) is hit by Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (42) on a fake punt attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals took over on downs. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

BY TOM KUEBEL

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals biggest advantage against the Pittsburgh Steelers may have been in the fake punt category.

Both teams attempted fake punts in the second half with the Cardinals converting on a fourth down to set up a touchdown and the Steelers, not so much.

A rushing attempt by Steelers punter Jordan Berry resulted in an eight-yard loss and fumble recovery by the Cardinals to set them up for a touchdown just three plays later.

How to execute a fake punt 101 #Steelers #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/s28UHxSnoU

— Take Your Base Sports (@takeyourbasepod) December 8, 2019

Arizona was at least able to get the ball out to a skill player as Chase Edmonds took a direct snap around the left end for a nine-yard conversion.

Another fake punt… Chase Edmunds gets the first-down…🤭🤭🤭#Cardinals #Steelers #NFL
pic.twitter.com/0dmXzGJ8tL

— Christopher Reiss (@NFL_ChrisReiss) December 8, 2019

Edmonds’ conversion resulted in naught for the Cardinals as the drive ended with a Kyler Murray interception.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Cardinals in the special teams department, however. The punt unit gave up an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown to Diontae Johnson in the first quarter, which gave the Steelers a 10-0 lead at the time.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson (22) breaks up a pass to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) leaves the field after a game-ending interception by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, left, greets Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, left, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) makes a game-ending interception intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers won 23-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws an interception in the end zone to Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers with fans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates his interception in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) blocks Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) pulls in a touchdown catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) celebrates his interception against the Arizona Cardinals with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches the clock during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) forces Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Steelers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) battles Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Matt Feiler during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) runs a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo (56) runs a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray leaves the field after a a failed third down against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton (28) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) runs after the catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer prior to the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) watches his field goal split the uprights during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) runs in an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kerrith Whyte (40) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Jalen Thompson (34)during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne (31) lines up against the Arizona Cardinals prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree, right, prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to the crowd prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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