The Big Play Has Greatly Helped the Arizona Cardinals This Year

Last year the Arizona Cardinals had a ton of defensive touchdowns on turnovers, but they lacked the ability to convert the big play on offense.

What a difference a year makes!

This year the Cardinals have converted on a bunch of big plays on offense, and it is one of the reasons they have been able to win as many games as they have.

In the game against the 49ers, the Cardinals converted on a 60-yard, 53-yard, and 46-yard pass play, which combined was 56% of John Skelton’s passing yardage.

Throughout the season, they have been very strong on yards after catch, turning short passing gains into big ones.

LaRod Stephens-Howling is averaging 21.4 yards per catch on his ten receptions this year.  Larry Fitzgerald is averaging 17.6 yards per catch, up from last year’s number of 12.6 yards per catch.  Early Doucet is averaging 12.5 yards per catch.

Not to mention the four offensive punt returns by Patrick Peterson, which I also consider an offensive big play.

Sustained and steady drives are nice because they rest the defense and eat up the clock when you are ahead.  But there’s nothing like a big play to create excitement and emotion in a game.  It’s great that the Cardinals have had their share of big plays this season.