Notes from the Nest: Cardinals vs. Eagles

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End of game

And that does it, officially. Time to head downstairs to hear from what should be a happy Cardinals team. They played well.

2:00 left in fourth quarter

Cardinals have the ball and are simply running out the clock. Ryan Williams has stepped up here in the second half, and this is a very, very good win for Arizona. Played well in all three facets of the game, and they’ll be 3-0 for the first time since 1974.

Very impressive performance.

3:52 left in fourth quarter

The Cardinals settle for a Jay Feely field goal, and he’s good from 27-yards out. Arizona is up 27-6, and this one seems to be in the bag.

4:03 left in fourth quarter

Score or not, the Cardinals are pretty much putting the game away with this drive here. Ryan Williams has stepped up big and Arizona is at the Philadelphia 8 with a 3rd and 7.

By the way, the Cards really need to remove the “shotgun pitch to the RB” play from the book. The next time it works will be the first.

10:26 left in fourth quarter

The Eagles don’t go anywhere, and Vick is called for intentional grounding on third down. Defense comes up big, and once again the Cardinals are a scoring drive away from putting this one to bed.

They’ll start on their own 29.

13:15 left in fourth quarter

The Cards elect to do that whole “pitch to Williams” thing on 3rd and 1, and he comes up a half yard short. Arizona punts, Eagles have the ball at their own 30.

Offense has been very conservative, very punchless this half.

End of third quarter

A short pass to Fitzgerald finishes off the third period.

The Cardinals looked meh. The offense was conservative (not good), and the defense was just OK. One more score from the Cards should put this one away, but until they get it this game will still be in doubt.

:02 left in third quarter

The Eagles do march down the field once again, but once again they are turned away and forced to settle for a field goal. Henery makes good from 40-yards, and it’s now 24-6 Cardinals.

Arizona is still in control, but can’t afford to get conservative on offense. This game isn’t over yet.

3:14 left in third quarter

The Cardinals offense comes out flat once again, and following a sack are forced to punt. The Eagles have the ball at midfield, and another drive here could make things pretty interesting going forward.

5:07 left in third quarter

Eagles move down the field but have to settle for a Henery field goal. It was from 36-yards out, and Arizona’s lead is now 24-21. Good stand by the defense, but worth noting that the last two times Philadelphia has had the ball they’ve moved it pretty well.

11:37 left in third quarter

Cards go nowhere and Zastudil is called on to punt. And punt he does. Eagles will start off on their own five. They’ve got a long way to go not only on this drive but in this game. They did show signs of life just before the half (and just before Rhodes crushed Vick), so we’ll see what happens here.

Halftime

Just as the Eagles seem ready to punch it in, Vick is blindsided by Kerry Rhodes (equal opportunity blaster today). He fumbles the ball, it’s recovered by James Sanders, and he takes it back 94 yards for the score.

It’s the third longest fumble return in Cards history, and Arizona heads into halftime up 24-0. Wow.

And just think, the Cardinals get the ball to start the second half…

2:26 left in second quarter

Eagles force a Cardinals punt, they have the ball at the 20. Philly badly needs a drive here, tough to see them getting it with the way things have gone thus far.

5:54 left in second quarter

If Kerry Rhodes and Brent Celek weren’t acquainted with each other before, they sure are now. Rhodes lights the TE up on consecutive plays, and the Cardinals force the Eagles into a three-and-out. A solid return by PP21 gives the Cardinals the ball at their own 40, and already up 17-0, have a chance to possibly put this one away here in the first half.

7:30 left in second quarter

Kolb hits Fitz for a 37-yard touchdown, which is something many thought would be a common sight when Arizona added the QB last year. Cardinals are up 17-0 and looking really, really good.

By the way, so is Kolb. This is the best half of football he’s played as a Cardinal, in my opinion.

9:06 left in second quarter

Yeah, how ’bout that defense. Daryl Washington gets to Vick on a play that was simply beastly, and the Cards force a punt. Arizona catches a break when the ball bounces off a blocking Greg Toler but is pounced on by Peterson. Arizona has the ball at its own 45.

10:14 left in second quarter

I’m thoroughly confused. The Eagles get a sack, there was a hold on the play, the penalty was accepted (why?), then declined (makes sense), then accepted again (huh?).

Kolb hits Fitz for a big gain on third and long, but it was third and too long. Cardinals punt, Eagles have the ball at their own nine.

14:22 left in second quarter

Refs get the call right on the review and the Cards get the ball at their own 35. Yep.

13:47 left in second quarter

Michael Vick, on what was one of the weirdest plays I’ve ever seen (weird as in: that was awful), fumbles the ball after a 1-yard gain. Refs rule him down, but Whiz throws the challenge flag and the Cards should get the ball back on their second turnover of the afternoon.

End of first quarter

Cardinals end the first period with a 10-0 lead, which is about as much as you could ask for. Kevin Kolb has looked good, the defense is making plays. The Eagles have the ball in Arizona territory, though, and could get right back in this thing.

1:04 left in first quarter

Eagles will begin their drive at the 20, and the Cardinals defense has a chance to really step up early in this game. Arizona has the momentum.

1:04 left in first quarter

Kevin Kolb hits Michael Floyd for the 8-yard touchdown, but not before a couple of Eagles defenders got their hands on the ball. The rookie shows great concentration to come down with the ball, and as Vince Marotta pointed out, when Floyd scores he does so in spectacular fashion.

Cards up 10-0, did a nice job taking advantage of Philly’s mistake.

4:45 left in first quarter

Cardinals look miserable in their series, gaining few yards and getting called for a delay of game. They punt, but Damaris Johnson fumbles and Arizona recovers at the Philadelphia 38. Big opportunity here.

6:33 left in first quarter

Eagles move the ball some but a sack pushed the Eagles back, and a Calais Campbell (he’s tall) deflection at the line leads to an Eagles punt. Peterson does not return it for a touchdown, and the Cardinals will start from their own 18.

10:18 left in first quarter

Cardinals move the ball down the field well, with Kolb looking accurate and Cardinals WRs getting open. Then Arizona runs the Wildcat with Patrick Peterson, loses a few yards and sees the drive stall.

Not a good playcall there — you are moving the ball well, why mess with it?

At any rate, the Cardinals get a 47-yard field goal from Jay Feely, who has been very accurate to start the season. Cardinals strike first.

14:05 left in first quarter

Eagles come out throwing and the Cards’ D steps up and makes some stops. Good pressure on the QB, and the Eagles punt. Cardinals offense, which is my greatest concern today, on the field at the Arizona 35.

1:00 to kickoff

Eagles won the toss and elect to receive. The Cardinals defense, which has played great through the first two games this season, will be tested early.

Pregame

About 11 minutes away from kickoff and the Cardinals are coming onto the field. Solid applause for everyone — including Kolb — though a media member to my right was wondering if that was from Eagles fans who are glad to see their former QB starting for Arizona.

Regardless, we’re getting closer to a battle of 2-0 teams here. I’m going to finish up this delicious cheesecake (thanks, Cardinals!) and get back to you at kickoff.

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