ARIZONA CARDINALS

Tyrann Mathieu sets up Cardinals’ first win of 2017 season with INT in OT

Sep 17, 2017, 1:41 PM

The Arizona Cardinals needed a big play when they were trailing the Indianapolis Colts 13-3 in the fourth quarter.

They got that play when wide receiver J.J. Nelson caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to make it a three-point game with under eight minutes to go.

After three more points and a couple of crucial defensive stops, it all came down to a Phil Dawson 42-yard field goal to win the game.

Dawson missed, and with the Cardinals losing the coin toss to begin overtime, they needed either another big stop by the defense or another one of those aforementioned big plays.

Never fear, because the Honey Badger is here.

On the first play of overtime, Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett faked a handoff and threw a short pass over the middle to Kamar Aiken.

Karlos Dansby, the other Cardinal in the area, looked to have a decent chance at an interception himself, but Tyrann Mathieu came streaking in out of nowhere to pick the ball off and give the Cardinals a golden opportunity to win the game.

Mathieu revealed after the game his eyes were closed at one point during the play.

“On that play, I just seemed to get a great break on the ball,” Mathieu said to Arizona Sports’ Paul Calvisi. “I actually closed my eyes when I caught it because I thought ‘Los was about to hit me. And then I caught the ball and I looked up and I started to stumble.”

Mathieu showed great awareness of the current situation, as he slid down after picking up 15 more yards after the catch with the Cardinals only needing a field goal to win.

“He needs more plays like that,” Arians said of Mathieu’s big interception.

After a few plays by the offense, Dawson had another chance to win the game from 30 yards out. Dawson redeemed himself, giving the Cardinals their first win of the season and a 1-1 record instead of facing a 0-2 mark with two terrible losses to start the season.

“Great, great job by Phil coming back and making that last kick,” Nelson said to Arizona Sports’ Paul Calvisi. “That’s why he’s the captain, he’s the veteran.”

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano before an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck smiles as he runs off the field with his teammates before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett celebrates after a five-yard touchdown run by running back Frank Gore during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett celebrates after a five-yard touchdown run by running back Frank Gore during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett runs out of the tackle of Arizona Cardinals' Markus Golden during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Indianapolis Colts' Frank Gore (23) goes in for a five-yard touchdown run while being tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Antoine Bethea during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Kamar Aiken (17) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' John Simon celebrates after sacking Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Robert Turbin (33) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Justin Bethel (28) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts' John Simon (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Frank Gore (23) runs for a five-yard touchdown run against Arizona Cardinals' Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) tries to make a catch while being defended by Indianapolis Colts' Rashaan Melvin during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Quincy Wilson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Nate Hairston (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks at a replay during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) reacts with Andy Lee after booting a 27-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson, center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Malik Hooker (29) makes an interception on a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14), center, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. At left is Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson (31). (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Indianapolis Colts' Rashaan Melvin (30) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Jaron Brown (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) boots a 29-yard field goal out of the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez during the second half of an NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws while being pressured by Indianapolis Colts' Jabaal Sheard (93) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. Sheard was called for roughing the passer on the play. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indianapolis Colts' Hassan Ridgeway celebrates after a sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) smiles after a 45-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) celebrates with Ifeanyi Momah after scoring on a 45-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) kicks a 40-yard field goal out of the hold of Andy Lee during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) is chased by Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) celebrates after kicking a game winning 30-yard field in overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Cardinals' Phil Dawson (4) kicks a game winning 30-yard field goal out of the hold of Andy Lee (2) in overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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