Arizona Cardinals: Game balls vs Chicago Bears
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears on Sunday 48-23 at Soldier Field
The Arizona Cardinals certainly had a day and contributions from many. It is very hard to pick the three game balls on Sunday, so I’m going with four guys who I thought deserved one. Players are represented from the offense, special teams, and defense.
The Cardinals didn’t look great on defense early on however they righted the ship at the end of the first half. The great play in all three phases continued into the second half.
First game ball on Sunday goes to running back/kick returner David Johnson. He earned the game ball just 12 seconds into the game. He ran the opening kickoff back 108-yards. It was a franchise record. It also gave him consecutive 50-plus yard touchdowns on consecutive touches going back to his 55-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of the game in week one against the New Orleans Saints.
He wasn’t done on Sunday though. He scored on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter for his first rushing touchdown of the season. He now has three touchdowns on the young season, one touchdown receiving, one on a kick return, and one rushing. That’s versatility.
Second game ball goes to receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz had a day we had been missing for awhile. He had eight receptions for 112 yards but he found the end zone as well.
Fitz had three touchdowns on Sunday. Believe it or not, that was the first time that had happened in his career. He still showed he has it at the age of 32. He’s still an exciting player to watch. He had a lot of hustle as well on Sunday. One one reception he carried a tackler about 10 yards on his back. Guy never stops working.
The third game ball goes to quarterback Carson Palmer. Outside of the one blunder at the end of the first half in which Bears defensive end Jared Allen made a great play and tipped a pass to himself for an interception, Palmer was nearly flawless. Palmer went 17-24 for 185 yards and four touchdowns on Sunday.
The last game ball goes to safety Tony Jefferson. He had a very important pick six late in the first half that gave the Cardinals a 28-14 lead at the time. He also lead the team with nine tackles and some of them were big play saving tackles. He did a great job of wrapping up the offense in the open field.