Hat trick!!!
September 16, 2008
Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin connected for 3 TDs in a convincing 31-10 home victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Kurt Warner described Sunday as “one of those days when everything’s clicking and you feel like you can’t be stopped”.
The aerial assault began with Warner’s first pass of the day, a 79-yard TD completion to Anquan Boldin, and they were just getting started. Watch video highlights on NFL.com here.
Keys to Victory:
* Offensive Rhythm - Warner hit Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in rhythm, which allowed the athletic wide receivers to run after the catch for huge gains. Warner spread the ball around with completions to 7 different receivers, which kept the Dolphins’ secondary from successfully double teaming any one player. Warner’s quarterback rating of 128.5 is second best in the NFL (Ben Roethlisberger leads with a 136.3 rating).
Arizona Receiving
* Offensive Line Play - the Cardinals have allowed 5.0 sacks this year through the first two games (compared with 1.0 total last year at this time), but thus far the offensive line has been fantastic in protecting Warner, it’s just that he refuses to throw the ball away and takes coverage sacks. Similarly, the team is averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per rushing attempt (31st in the league), but the line has only allowed 4 drive-stalling tackles for a loss on running plays in 2008 (combined -6 yards), compared to 6 tackles for a loss (combined -20 yards) through the first two games in 2007. That’s a huge improvement.
* Quarterback Pressure - Bertrand Barry (1 sack) and the Cardinals kept the opposing team’s quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket for the second straight game.
The Boldin the Beautiful
September 8, 2008
No drama here, the Cardinals begin 2008 with a convincing 23-13 win over the 49ers and the NFC West lead.
They didn’t soar to victory, but the Cardinals sure knew how to play keep away from the 49ers in the second half. Tied 10-10 at halftime, Arizona controlled the ball for 22:38 in the second half (75%), keeping Frank Gore and the 49ers offense off the field, and cruised to a 23-13 victory. Full video highlights from NFL.com here.
Keys to Victory:
* Turnovers - last season the Cardinals lost the turnover battle 1-6 versus the 49ers and lost both games. In Sunday’s victory, the Cardinals won the turnover battle 5-0 (4 fumbles and an Adrian Wilson interception), and controlled the game.
* Quarterback Pressure - the Cardinals sacked J.T. O’Sullivan 4 times and forced him into 3 turnovers (2 fumbles and 1 interception). On numerous plays O’Sullivan was knocked down or taken out of rhythm by pressure from Darnell Dockett (5 tackles, FF), Bertrand Barry (1 sack, FF), and Travis LaBoy (2 sacks, FF, fumble recovery).
* Running Game - The Cardinal offense never fully clicked, but the rushing game did just enough to keep the chains moving. Edgerrin James rushed 26 times for 100 yards (3.8 yard avg), and Tim Hightower converted on the tough short yards, including a 1-yard TD plunge on 4th down.
Category: 2008 Season, Game Results | Tags: 49ers, Adrian Wilson, Anquan Boldin, Bertrand Barry, Darnell Dockett, Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald, Tim Hightower, Travis LaBoy, Wins