Arizona Cardinals Start Slow But Lead Niners 7-6
By Scott Allen
Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back for a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Well, it was another slow offensive start for the Arizona Cardinals. However the Cards defense came up big after a 53-yard interception by San Francisco 49’ers safety Eric Reed. The Cards defense held the Niners to two field goals and they grabbed a 6-0 lead. Then receiver Larry Fitzgerald happened. Cards quarterback Carson Palmer threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Fitz to give them a 7-6 lead.
Palmer had another disappointing quarter up until the touchdown pass though. On the first possession he threw three yards to his receiver, on a third and four. It still boggles the mind that the Cards receivers don’t run to the marker. On the second drive, Reed intercepted Palmer and put them in scoring position. He almost threw a second interception trying to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. However, then he did throw his second interception on the very next play after the near miss. It was another forced shot at getting the ball to Fitzgerald.
The Cards defense has played well though, which is no surprise. Linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive end Calais Campbell shared a sack of Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Cornerback Patrick Peterson and Yeremiah Bell along with safety Tyrann Mathieu all came up with big defensive plays.
Now going forward the Cards offense needs to continue to help the defense. The defense can’t do it on their own. The Niners are moving the ball headed into the second quarter.