Bird Bits: Cardinals edge Patriots for dramatic upset win in Foxborough
Sep 16, 2012, 7:47 PM | Updated: Sep 17, 2012, 1:03 am
Sure, you could read the box score and know who won, but we all know that won’t tell you everything that happened in a football game. So, we will give you Bird Bits providing you with the analysis, quotes and notes from the Cardinals’ 20-18 win over the Patriots. Final score: Cardinals 20, Patriots 18.
The Good:
The Cardinals went into Foxborough and upset the heavily favored Patriots, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Ray Horton’s defense rose to the occasion and made significant plays throughout the game. Quentin Groves blocked a punt in the third quarter and Kerry Rhodes made a fantastic play to prevent the Patriots potential two-point conversion, which would have tied the game, in the fourth.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb had an impressive day for the Cardinals. He went 15-for-27 for 140 yards with two touchdowns (one throwing, one rushing).
The Bad:
Ryan Williams nearly fumbled the game away when he turned the ball over late in the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots life.
It appeared Williams’ blunder would cost the Cardinals when New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski came on in the game’s final seconds. In a stunning finish, he missed the 42-yard field goal attempt and the Cardinals were able to hang on for their second win of the season.
Noted:
Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
He Said It:
“Nobody really gave us a chance,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “But our guys believed they could do it and it’s great to see them operate that way.”
Coming Up Next:
The Cardinals host the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 23rd at 1:05 p.m.