Arizona Cardinals Burn the Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeremiah O. Sarkett |Oct 01,2007
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 Arizona Cardinals Burn the Pittsburgh Steelers
Thankfully the Steelers selected Tomlin and Coach Whiz and Grimm found their way to the Valley of the Sun.
Rookie Steve Breaston returned a punt 73 yards for an electrifying touchdown and Darnell Dockett and the Cardinals defense frustrated and contained the powerful Steelers offense for most of the game. Arizona handed Pittsburg their first loss of the season Sunday winning 21-14 and advanced to 2-2 for the first time since 2002. Breaston’s burst and big special teams touchdown was the Cardinals’ first punt return for a touchdown in 14 years.
The Cardinals played terrific defense, again as they limited Willie Parker to only 37 yards on 18 carries. Parker had been on a tear with four consecutive 100 plus yard games but was a non factor Sunday in Arizona. The Cardinals were led on defense by Dockett who had three monster sacks and Ralph Brown and Adrian Wilson sealed up the secondary, adding interceptions. In the third quarter, Wilson intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone and Brown sealed the deal in the fourth quarter for Arizona.
Whisenhunt again utilized the two quarterback system and this approach worked well enough to keep the Steelers off guard and guessing on defense. Kurt Warner directed Arizona on the game tying touchdown drive in the third quarter and Matt Leinart returned in the fourth quarter and led Arizona on 13-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that Edgerrin James capped off with a 2-yard blast up the middle. Leinart finished 7-of-14 for 93 yards and Warner went 14-of-21 for 132 yards and touchdown.
On the Steelers next possession, Big Ben found Santonio Holmes on a seven yard strike for Holmes’ second touchdown cutting the lead to 21-14 late in the fourth quarter. Arizona took advantage of two key Steeler injuries – safety Troy Palamalu injured his abdomen and Casey Hampton hurt his hamstring in the third quarter and both players were non factors in the second half. Whisenhunt attacked the Pittsburg secondary with Palamalu sidelined and Larry Fitzgerald made some impressive catches down the stretch to help lift the Cardinals offense late. Fitzy finished the game with 11 catches for 123 yards.
From My Note Pad
• The Edge had a strong game with 77 yards on 21 attempts with a big fourth quarter touchdown that put the Steelers away.
• New addition to the receiver corps, Jerheme Urban had a solid afternoon with five big catches for 53 yards and a third quarter touchdown that tied the game 7-7.
• Darnell Dockett was a beast as he recorded three sacks while Antonio Smith added his second sack in as many games.
• Calvin Pace, Karlos Dansby and Terrance Holt led the Cardinals with five tackles each.
• Arizona was focused throughout the game and did much better on special teams and in penalties. Arizona had only five penalties for 30 yards.
• Both teams were without their top receivers as Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward sat out Sunday’s game but are not expected to miss more action.
• Ben Roethlisberger finished the game 17-of-32 for 244 yards and two touchdowns but added two costly interceptions as well.
• Santonio Holmes was Big Ben’s favorite target – Homes torched the Cardinal secondary for six catches and 128 yards and two big touchdowns.
• The Cardinals held the Steelers to only 77 net rushing yards on 26 attempts.
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