The Hapless Arizona Cardinals
OK, so Matt Leinart looked good on the first drive. He led them down the field to a TD. (Rex Grossman picked a Monday Night Football game as his opportunity to look like a true Bears QB.) True, Leinart had a second TD pass in the 1st Quarter. But, that drive started on the 25 yd-line after an interception and return of a Grossman pass. It was a gift. And then there's the fact that da Bears had 5 more turnovers (for a total of 4 Grossman INTs and 2 Grossman fumbles--someone call Canton, OH; tell them to stop payment on the check for Rex's Hall-of-Fame statue), and yet the Cardinals managed just 9 more points on 3 FGs.Did I go to bed at halftime with da Bears down 20-0? Of course not. Did I go to bed with less than 2 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter and da Bears down 23-3? Of course not. That's just when the fun was beginning...
0:02 remaining in the 3rd: Rookie phenom, Defensive End Mark Anderson brutally blindsided Leinart, jarring the ball loose for a fumble, which All-World Safety Mike Brown scooped up and returned 3-yards for a defensive TD. Score: 23-10
5:00 remaining in the 4th: Da Bears "D" stymies an Edgerrin James run up the middle. Urlacher rips the football out of James's arms for a rare James fumble. Defensive Back Charles Tillman picks the ball up off the turf and returns it 40 yards for a second defensive TD. Score: 23-17
2:58 remaining in the 4th: Arizona punts after yet another defensive stand by da Bears. Rookie Devin Hester returns the punt 83 yards for a special teams TD. Score: Bears 24-23 over Arizona
Then, just to show the truly hapless nature of the Arizona Cardinals, Leinart leads them on a decent last-minute drive. Da Bears stand firm on a late 3rd and 1, forcing a 41-yard FG attempt with 53 seconds remaining, and normally-reliable kicker Neil Rackers kicks it wide...no good...DA BEARS! [ Final Score: Bears 24-23 over Arizona ] So, then it was bedtime. This morning I'm tired but happy. Thank heaven for the Arizona Cardinals.
posted by haahnster at 5:57 AM
5 Comments:
On an exciting night of football where the liquor was flowing in the midst of a tornado that touched down a mile from my house, I was watching in amazement as the Bears did something amazing and all I could think of was how happy Eric would be today.
So I'm glad your post reflected that.
Count me on the bandwagon this year with you - all I ask is that you turn an eye towards my Saints that are even more amazing.
Did you enjoy Da Bears with lots o' Da Beers?
My 100-0 prediction fell short.
The only thing that makes me mad, is the fact that the Cardinals won't fall apart for the Niners, the same way they did for the Bears. I mean, they used to for us, two seasons ago.
I thought they had the thing in the bag and I changed the channel. I didn't find out first thing in the morning, either. I checked out Cold Pizza and I flipped out. I think you have to go all the way back to beginning to either the Harbaugh era, or the Erik Kramer era to find a similar Bear comeback.
When the usually automatic Reikers missed yet another field goal, the Bears decided that they are a team of destiny and I just might start to believe it, bad Arizona offensive coordinator or not.
BTW, I'm not trying to take away from the victory, I mean it sincerely.
KK: Thanks. The Saints are off to a great start, as well.
Mat: Nice bet.
Beth: Fortunately, no. I probably would've destroyed the TV, ruining my chances to see the comeback.
Jeremy: Mine also.
WP: "...bad Arizona offensive coordinator or not."
Arizona gave us a gift. They didn't convert our 6 turnovers into nearly enough points. You are absolutely correct that their offensive coordinator was way too conservative.
Post a Comment
<< Home