2008 Arizona Cardinals: A Game of Inches

2008 Arizona Cardinals: A Game of Inches

[paypal_donation_button]2008 Arizona Cardinals: A Game of Inches

The 2008 Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West, but they didn’t raise many eyebrows entering the playoffs. They earned a home playoff game but not much was expected from this group. The Cardinals scored 26.7 points per game which was 3rd in the NFL. However, they allowed 26.6 points per game which was 28th. No one doubted that they had the talent. With former league MVP Kurt Warner under center and two stud wide receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals had the ability to score in bunches. Despite their talent on offense, the Cardinals finished an unimpressive 9-7 in a weak NFC West. None of that seemed to matter when the playoffs began as the team gelled and came within inches from winning the Super Bowl.

When Kurt Warner came to the Cardinals, it was thought that he was in the twilight of his career. He was years removed from the league MVP who led “The Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis. When the Cardinals drafted former Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart, 10th overall in 2006, it was assumed that Warner would take on a mentoring role for the future quarterback of the organization. Leinart couldn’t hold on to the starting job and Warner stepped into fill a full-time role in 2008.

The 37-year-old Warner looked rejuvenated. Todd Haley’s aggressive play calling on offense took full advantage of his personnel’s natural abilities. Kurt Warner earned another Pro Bowl selection by completing 67% of his passes, and throwing for 4583 yards and 30 touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston each had over 1000 receiving yards. Fitzgerald led the way with 1431 yards and 12 touchdowns.

After defeating the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the playoffs at home, they traveled to face the Carolina Panthers who went undefeated at home in the regular season. The two teams traded touchdowns early until an Edgerrin James’ 4-yard rushing touchdown put the Cardinals ahead 14-7. Jake Delhomme’s 5 interceptions and one fumble spelled the end for the Panthers offense. Warner and Fitzgerald would add one more touchdown to go with Neil Rackers’ four field goals to defeat the Panthers 33-13 and advance to the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cardinals came home for the NFC title game against the Eagles. They jumped out to a 24-6 lead at halftime behind three Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns. The Eagles responded with 19 straight points in the second half to take a one point lead. They weren’t able to hang on to that lead as Tim Hightower and Kurt Warner connected for an 8-yard touchdown to seal the game for the Cardinals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers held an early 10-7 lead in Super Bowl XLIII, but Warner had the Cardinals within striking distance to take the lead before halftime. Fortunes turn quickly in football and within a few seconds instead of leading 14-10 going into the half, the Cardinals trailed 17-7 thanks to James Harrison’s amazing 100 yard interception return for a touchdown.

This gut-wrenching play to end the half didn’t crush the Cardinal’s hopes. After falling farther behind in the 3rd quarter, the Cardinals rallied thanks to two Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns and a safety. With less than two and half minutes to play in the game, the Cardinals were ahead 23-20. Unfortunately, the Cardinals defense couldn’t stop Ben Roethlisberger from marching down the field. Roethlisberger would find Santonio Holmes in the back of the end zone with a perfect pass for a touchdown. Roethlisberger placed the ball where only Holmes could catch it and Holmes used his tremendous athleticism to keep his toes inbounds.

The Cardinals lost 27-23, but a few inches to the right and they would have ended their incredible playoff run as Super Bowl champions.