Robert Nkemdiche rumbles in for the score against Giants

Dec 24, 2017, 5:18 PM | Updated: 8:18 pm

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) runs back a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY TYLER DRAKE

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals were already rolling as they headed into the fourth quarter against the New York Giants Sunday.

Then Deone Bucannon and Robert Nkemdiche happened.

Robert Nkemdiche fumble recovery for a touchdown pic.twitter.com/5KoRUy83xB

— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) December 24, 2017

On the opening play of the fourth quarter, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning stepped back to pass. As he finished his dropback, Bucannon was right there to greet him, jarring the ball loose. That’s where Nkemdiche comes into the equation.

The 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive tackle showed he could move down the field, taking the fumble recovery 28 yards for the score.

“He looked like a running back running to the end zone,” Bucannon said. “He made a great play.”

The touchdown pushed the Cardinals even further toward the win column in Week 16 as they led 23-0 early into the fourth quarter.

“It felt like a breakthrough,” Nkemdiche said. “I appreciate that I have dudes like (Corey Peters) I can actually look up to and keep growing with. It’s only the beginning.

“We’re a brotherhood and a defense. We all know the work that we put in since training camp all the way to this point. That brings you together and gives you a cohesiveness.”

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New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas (2) unsuccessfully attempts a field goal as punter Brad Wing (9) holds during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (20) forces New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis (18) to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals recovered the football. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown as New York Giants defensive back Brandon Dixon (25) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) eludes the reach of New York Giants defensive back Darryl Morris (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants tight end Rhett Ellison (85) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates a first down as New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) look away during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown with offensive guard Alex Boone during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Jay Bromley during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea is hit by New York Giants tight end Jerell Adams (89) after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores a touchdown as New York Giants defensive back Brandon Dixon (25) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores as New York Giants defensive back Brandon Dixon (25) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game agains the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) is hit by New York Giants free safety Darian Thompson (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians holds his grandson Asher prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo watches his team prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws as New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) runs as Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) kick a field goal against the New York Giants as punter Andy Lee (2) holds during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) can't make the catch as New York Giants defensive back Darryl Morris defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as New York Giants defensive back Brandon Dixon (25) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as New York Giants linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (47) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) runs as New York Giants linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (47) makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes the catch as New York Giants defensive back Darryl Morris (23) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) is chased down by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) is tackled Arizona Cardinals defensive end Rodney Gunter, left, and nose tackle Corey Peters, on ground, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (20) unsucessfully lunges for the football intended for New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Giants wide receiver Hunter Sharp (84) tries to avoid the reach of Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) celebrates a New York Giants missed field goal during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer wears a pink flamingo suit after losing the weekly quarterback challenge prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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