Arizona Cardinals keep pulse after 31-23 victory
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Washington Redskins 31-23 on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium
The Arizona Cardinals keep their faint playoff hopes alive on Sunday. They found the win column against the Washington Redskins after a great offensive second half.
It was the see-saw game many expected to take place. The Cardinals, who lead 10-6 at halftime, fell behind 13-10, took a 17-13 lead, fell behind 20-17, then took the lead back for good 24-20.
The win takes the Cardinals to 5-6-1 and drops the Redskins to 6-5-1. They jumped the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, both at 5-7 on the season.
Quarterback Carson Palmer 30-46 for 300-yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who jumped to third on the NFL’s all-time receiving list, caught 10 passes for 78-yards.
The workhorse once again was running back David Johnson. He carried the ball 18 times for 84-yards and one touchdown on the ground. He also caught nine passes for 91-yards and a touchdown.
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The Cardinals had a few penalties that could have hurt them but they did not turn the ball over on Sunday. The two turnovers? They belonged to the Redskins. A fumble by Kirk Cousins lead to a short field and a Palmer touchdown pass to receiver Michael Floyd.
Then as the Redskins were attempting to drive in the final minute, Kirk Cousins missed an open Jamison Crowder and instead found Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson for an interception to seal the victory.
Now the Cardinals take their next step in running the table to hope to have a shot at the playoffs. They have the Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in front of them in the playoff standings.
The Cardinals did beat the Bucs earlier this season but they do have the loss to the Vikings. Next week, the Cardinals head to Florida to face the Miami Dolphins. Miami was demolished 38-6 on Sunday, so they will come in with a chip on their shoulder as they too are fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC.