ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Play: Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald give the Cardinals OT win

Oct 1, 2017, 6:46 PM | Updated: Oct 2, 2017, 12:26 am
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in the game winning touchdown as San Fr...
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in the game winning touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson defends during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 18-15. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — You’d have to say the Arizona Cardinals have worked hard for their victories in 2017.

In Week 2, they erased a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and went on to win 16-13 in overtime over the Indianapolis Colts.

Two weeks later, it looked different, but the result was the same — an 18-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers that took nearly a full 70 minutes to complete.

After Arizona’s Robbie Gould and San Francisco’s Robbie Gould traded field goals throughout regulation, the 49ers (0-4) won the coin flip and took the ball. And they kept the ball. Aided by crucial Cardinal penalties, Brian Hoyer took the Niners to the Cardinals’ 5-yard line where a 17-play drive stalled. Gould booted his fifth field goal of the game, giving San Francisco a 15-12 lead with only 2:24 remaining in overtime. A field goal wouldn’t do it for Arizona — the Cardinals needed a touchdown to win.

And they’d get it.

Carson Palmer took what the defense gave him, completing his first four passes to Andre Ellington and Jaron Brown to give the Cardinals life at the San Francisco 25-yard line.

A holding call on guard Evan Boehm acted as a speed bump, but Palmer connected with Ellington again on an 8-yard completion that gave Arizona a 2nd-and-2 at the 49ers’ 19.

The game would end on the next play.

As Palmer dropped to pass, he’d get a healthy rush from his left side by Elvis Dumervil, who had two of San Francisco’s six sacks on the day. Tackle John Wetzel did a nice job of moving his feet, however, and forced Dumervil behind Palmer, allowing the quarterback to step up into a clean pocket. He found his favorite target, Larry Fitzgerald, streaking to the end zone with coverage provided by Rashard Robinson. The veteran got a step on Robinson, and Palmer delivered a strike before safety Jimmie Ward could provide help over the top.

Ball game.

Palmer noticed something a little different at the line of scrimmage on the game’s final play.

“They got a little out of sorts on that last play at the end. There was some miscommunication, and they weren’t doing what they were doing earlier,” Palmer said. “There were a couple guys running back-and-forth trying to switch sides and (Fitzgerald) just got a free release and was one-on-one up the seam.”

Palmer liked what he saw pre-snap, and thought the game could end on the play.

“I was hoping,” he said. “Two guys switching sides and the safety was out of place, and obviously (Fitzgerald) made a great play.”

Fitzgerald saw something similar.

“I saw single-high, and when I started running vertical, I saw the nickel back,” he said. “He didn’t really drop too much, so I knew it was zone, so I knew I was a viable option on that play call.

“I didn’t see all the rotation and stuff. I was just watching my safety and the corner. They were playing a two-to-one coverage on me and I just bent it in there and Carson gave me a good ball to make a play on.”

Fitzgerald only had three catches for 13 yards in the game prior to the touchdown, but when the game’s on the line, he wants the ball coming his way.

“Never surprised,” head coach Bruce Arians said. “In critical moments, he’s like ‘give me the ball.’ And I say, ‘I’m trying, brother. I’m trying.'”

This time the try paid off.

Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem as others stand prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem as others stand prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem as others stand prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem as others stand during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem as others stand during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) is hit by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel as others stand during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is hit as he throws by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Aaron Lynch (59) to force an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) can't make the touchdown catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) pulls in a catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers as punter Andy Lee (2) holds during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (81) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) kicks a field goal as punter Bradley Pinion (5) holds against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (81) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) is pulled away from San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (81) after a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel as others stand during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to throw as San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks a field goal as punter Andy Lee (2) holds as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) and defensive back K'Waun Williams (24) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) runs back an interception as San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) and ffensive guard Laken Tomlinson (75) pursue during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) kicks a field goal as punter Bradley Pinion (5) holds against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner shows his Football Hall of Fame ring during his ring ceremony at half time of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner as linebacker Dekoda Watson (97) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) celebrates his sack of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks a field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks celebrates his field goal against the San Francisco 49ers wth teammates during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Corey Peters during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) celebrates his field goal with offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) walks to the bench during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) kicks a field goal as punter Bradley Pinion (5) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer looks to throw as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) and outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) pursue during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea, left, and strong safety Tyvon Branch, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is hit by San Francisco 49ers free safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Aldrick Robinson (19) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kicks a field goal as punter Andy Lee (2) holds against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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