Arizona Cardinals Blow Late Lead, Defeat Titans in 37-34 in OT
By Scott Allen
Dec 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) celebrates with Cardinals tight end Cody Sperry (83) after scoring scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. It was a pretty bad defensive effort overall Sunday but the Cards found a way to defeat the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime in Nashville.
It is hard to describe this one. Early on, the defense couldn’t do much and the offense did enough. It was a 10-10 game at halftime. Then the fireworks started. The Cards got a field goal after a surprise pooch kickoff to start the half resulted in Arizona ball. It was 13-10 at that point.
The Titans went down the field after four penalties against the Cardinals kept the Titans drive alive, and scored on a touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to receiver Delanie Walker. It was a 16-play drive and gave the Titans a 17-13 lead. It didn’t last long.
The Cards went down the field and quarterback Carson Palmer threw a six-yard pass to tight end Jake Ballard to give the Cardinals a 20-17 lead. Rashard Mendenhall added his second touchdown of the game to give the Cards a 27-17 lead and then cornerback Antonie Cason seemed to lock the game with a 20-yard interception return for touchdown, giving the Cards a 34-17 lead.
However, nothing is final until all zeroes on the clock. Give the Titans credit, they tied the game at 34-34 with 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter after the Cards defense couldn’t come up with a stop and the special teams couldn’t recover an onside kick.
The Titans won the overtime toss but Fitzpatrick threw another interception to Cason and the Cards got into position for a Jay Feely field goal to give the Cards a 37-34 win. It is never easy but the Cards are now 9-7 and give a first-year coach a winning record in his first season for the first time in franchise history since 1925.