Imagine a Different Ending in Last Week’s Arizona Cardinals Game…

Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (3) reacts after missing a field goal during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bills defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

Imagine, for a moment, a different ending to the Cardinals-Bills game last Sunday…

Jay Feely‘s field goal splits the uprights as time expires, and the Cardinals win, 19-16.

The Cardinals are 5-1, with sole possession of first place in the NFC West.  Everyone would have been talking how the Cardiac Cards did it once again.

John Skelton would have again been crowned a fourth quarter magician.

Oh, how sweet it would have been!

Ironically, even if that scenario had occurred, it does not change a basic reality: the Cardinals have a terrible offensive line, their quarterback situation is a mess, they have yet to establish a reliable running game, and even their strong defense has been uneven at times.  Few people would have been talking about all of those shortcomings had they won, but it still doesn’t change the facts.

Ultimately, though, football is about W’s … and if you can find a way to put up enough wins, you have a chance of making the playoffs.  That’s why even with all of their problems, the Cardinals at 4-2 are still in position to make a playoff run.

But wouldn’t it have been even nicer if Feely had made that last second field goal!