NFL 2014 Week 1 Recap
The National Football League is finally back.
With that, here is the NFL 2014 Week 1 Recap.
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Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks was the Thursday night game to kick off the 2014 NFL season. Pass-happy Mike McCarthy actually came out running the ball, but it was Seattle that cracked the scoreboard first. A running into the kicker penalty gave the Seahawks a second chance, leading to Steven Hauschka kicking a field goal for the 3-0 Seahawks lead.
Green Bay caught a break when Earl Thomas fumbled a punt, setting up the Packers at the Seattle 34. Mike McCarthy continued playing smash mouth. From the one, John Kuhn barely stretched the ball over the goal line when it appeared he had been stopped by several defenders. The Packers led 7-3 after the opening quarter.
The Seahawks began the second quarter moving rapidly and took the 10-7 lead when Russell Wilson threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Lockette. Green Bay went bombs away on 3rd and 5 as a defensive pass interference penalty set up 1st and goal at the 8. The defense held as Mason Crosby tied the game 10-10.
A heavy dose of Percy Harvin led to a 9-yard run by Marshawn Lynch for a 17-10 Seahawks lead with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half.
In the third quarter a pass by Rodgers bounced right of the receivers fingers into the arms of Byron Maxwell, setting up Seattle with 1st and goal at the 8. Green Bay held again on defense but another Hauschka field goal gave the Seahawks some breathing room up 20-10.
Later on a good punt had the Packers pinned inside their own 10. Michael Bennett sacked Rodgers, forcing a fumble that went backward into the Green Bay end zone. The Packers fell on it for a safety as the Seahawks led 22-10. After the free kick, Wilson marched the Seahawks straight down the field. The fourth quarter began with Seattle facing 1st and goal at the Packers 3 after a 12 yard Wilson scramble. Lynch carried it in for a 29-10 Seahawks advantage.
Rodgers did throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to get the Packers within 29-16, but Wilson led a 13 play, 80-yard, 7 minute drive to turn out the lights. Wilson hit Coleman from 15 yards out to complete the decisive victory. 7 months after winning it all, the Seahawks are still every bit as super. 36-16 Seahawks
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons — Shane Graham had a pair of field goals from 31 and 50 yards as the Saints led 6-0 after the first quarter. Drew Brees then led an 80 yard drive that led to a 2 yard Robinson run to make it 13-0 Saints. The Falcons finally got going as Matt Ryan led a 14 play, 80 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. The 2 yard touchdown to Roddy White had Atlanta within 13-7.
Ryan had 146 yards passing in the first half, but Brees was a pinball machine, racking up 181 yards. Another 80 yard drive and a 3 yard touchdown pass to Cooks had the Saints up 20-7. Matt Bryant would hit a 40 yard field goal just before the half as the Falcons trailed 20-10.
In the third quarter Ryan led the Falcons 80 yards in 12 plays over 5 1/2 minutes. A one yard touchdown pass to Toilolo got Atlanta within 20-17. Ryan then threw a 54 yard touchdown pass to Smith as the Falcons had the 24-20 lead.
In the fourth quarter Brees led another 12 play, 80 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. Mark Ingram plowed in from the 3 as the Saints led 27-24 with 6 minutes left in the game. Ryan brought the Falcons back 94 yards, with Jacquez Rodgers running in the final 17 yards. The Falcons claimed the 31-27 lead with 3 minutes left.
Now Brees had his turn. 71 yards came quickly, with Ingram running it in from the 3. The Saints had reclaimed the lead 34-31 with 1:20 to play. From the 20, Ryan fired 13 yards to Douglas, 12 yards to Julio Jones and 21 yards to Devon Hester. With everything on the line, Bryant came in for a 51 yard field goal try to tie the game. Bryant drilled it and this thriller was tied 34-34 at the end of regulation.
The Saints got the ball to start overtime and disaster quickly struck. On the second play from scrimmage from the Saints 20, a pass to Marquis Colston gained 13 yards before Colston was hit and fumbled. Atlanta recovered at the Saints 38 as an angry Colston threw his helmet off and bounced it. Bryant came in for a 52 yard field goal, and again he leveled it.
This game was expected to be a thriller and it was. Brees finished 29 of 42 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Matty Ice was 31 of 43 for a ridiculous 448 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The rematch of these teams cannot come soon enough. 37-34 Falcons
Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams — Blair Walsh hit a 52 yard field goal in the first quarter and a 46 yarder in the second quarter for a 6-0 Vikings lead. Matt Cassel threw an 8 yard touchdown to Greg Jennings to make it 13-0 Vikings at the half.
In the third quarter Greg the leg Zuerlein drilled a 56 yard field goal to get the Rams on the board. Minnesota then closed the door as Cordarelle Patterson broke free for a 67 yard touchdown run to make it 20-3 Vikings. Cassel would throw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Rudolph to make it 27-3 Vikings.
The Rams did finally throw a touchdown pass, but it went to Minnesota. The 81 yard interception return by Cook ended the Rams misery. St. Louis would tack on another field goal, but Jeff Fisher needs a quarterback in a hurry. Mike Zimmer got a win in his first game as a head coach. 34-6 Vikings
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers — Shawn Suisham hit a 36 yard field goal for the Steelers and Billy Cundiff responded with a 39 yarder for the Browns. Then reality set in. LeGuarrette Blount ran for touchdowns of 7 and 38 yards sandwiched around a 35 yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown to make it 24-3 Steelers. Suisham added a 34 harder as the Steelers led 27-3 at halftime.
Despite the Cleveland fans begging for Johnny Clipboard, Bryan Hoyer stayed in the game and led a pair of touchdown drives. Crowell ran it in from 3 and 15 yards to get the Browns within 27-17. Hoyer led another long drive that saw Cundiff hit a 25 yard field goal as the fourth quarter began as the Browns only trailed 27-20. Hoyer brought the Browns back again as 9 yard touchdown pass to Benjamin tied the game 27-27 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Hoyer did not play badly, finishing 19 of 31 for 230 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. Yet it was Big Ben Roethlisberger who went 23 of 34 for 365 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Despite overcoming a 24 point deficit, critical decisions by rookie head coach Mike Pettine hurt the Browns. With 4 1/2 minutes to play and the Browns facing 4th and 7 at the Pittsburgh 35, Pettine opted to go conservative and punt. Then with less than 2 minutes to play and the Browns at their own 20, Pettine got aggressive. Cleveland ended up punting on 4th and 21 from their own 9, and the Steelers got it back at their own 43 with 47 seconds to play.
Roethlisberger went to Wheaton for gains of 11 and 20 and Suisham nailed a 41 yard field goal as time expired. Mike Tomlin saw his team survive a scare as the Browns were left to wonder what might have been. 30-27 Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles were expected to roll over the Jaguars. Early on the Eagles just rolled over. Nick Foles was hit and fumbled, setting up the Jaguars at the Philly 44. Chad Henne threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Hums for a 7-0 Jaguars lead. Foles was then hit and fumbled again, setting up Jacksonville at the Eagles 21. Henne went to Hums again for another touchdown and a 14-0 Jaguars lead. In the second quarter Josh Scobee tacked on a 49 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Jaguars in front of a stunned home crowd.
Desperately needing a spark in the third quarter, Chip kelly decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Jacksonville 49. Darren Sproles got the first down and everything else as he raced for the touchdown to get the Eagles within 17-7. Nick Foles then threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Zac Ertz as the Eagles only trailed 17-14.
The fourth quarter was all Philadelphia. Parkey drilled a 51 yard field goal to tie the game. Then Foles went deep to Jeremy Maclin for a 68 yard touchdown to give the Eagles the lead. Parkey tacked on a 28 yard field goal to put the Eagles up 27-17. A 17 yard fumble return by Cox salted the game away. 34-17 Eagles
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets — The Jets took over at their own 40 yard line and Geno Smith went right to work. The Jets moved with ease until a perfectly thrown pass was dropped in the end zone. The Raiders dodged a bullet as the Jets settled for a 45 yard Nick Folk field goal and a 3-0 lead.
The Derek Carr era began from the Oakland 20 with a completion for 0 yards, a staple of the Dink and Dunk with Dennis Allen West Coast Offense. At least a traditional running play on 3rd and 1 failed to gain a first down as the Raiders punted.
A diving interception of Smith by Charles Woodson set up the Raiders at the Jets 28. After converting a 3rd down with a short pass, on 3rd and 5 from the 12 Carr hit Rod Streater, who raced to the end zone. Carr’s first ever NFL touchdown pass had the Silver and Black up 7-3.
Yet on defense, the Raiders could not get off the field. In the second quarter, with the Jets facing 3rd and 8 from their own 16, Smith threw for the first down. On 3rd and 13 from their 45, Smith ran for the first down. From the Oakland 30, a perfect pass over the middle set up 1st and goal at the 3. On 2nd down, Smith scrambled again. This time he got belted by 2 Raiders and fumbled. The Raiders recovered at their own 3, again getting a major break.
The Jets continued to do everything but score as Smith found wide open receivers and killed the Raiders on 3rd down. On 3rd and 8 near midfield, Smith scrambled, just barely reaching the marker. With 30 seconds left in the half, the Jets faced 3rd and 4 at the Oakland 5. A perfectly executed shovel pass went for the touchdown as the Jets led 10-7 at halftime.
A strong kickoff return and the Raiders starting the second half at their own 41. Then the referees got involved, or in this case failed to get involved. A simple handoff to Maurice Jones-Drew saw Jones-Drew get his head taken off by the defender. No penalty was called, and the resulting fumble meant an 11 yard loss for the Raiders. Then Carr was called for a delay of game. Shockingly enough, it was the first penalty against the Raiders all game. The Jets were flagged 8 times in the first half, and the Raiders of all teams had 0 flags for 0 yards at the break. Nevertheless, this drive was done as the Raiders punted again.
The Jets on 3rd and 17 from the Oakland 46 saw Smith complete another first down. However, this time offensive pass interference negated the play. The Jets punted again. The Raiders offense stalled, and the Jets continued to move straight down the field. Yet again the Jets hurt themselves as a critical offensive face mask penalty in the red zone stopped the drive. Folk hit a 42 yard field goal as the Jets led 13-7 late in the third quarter.
A major special teams mistake saw the Raiders return man call a fair catch at the 5 yard line rather than let the ball bounce into the end zone. Dennis Allen continued trying to dink and dunk, which meant death and another Raiders punt.
Despite giving up huge chunks of yards, the Raiders defense sacked Smith to end another drive. Once again, another third down meant Dennis Allen would call a dink and dunk pass that left the Raiders punting the ball again. Throwing past the first down marker is just not something he does. With the defense bending the whole game, it finally broke. Chris Ivory got through five mistackles and raced for a 71 yard touchdown. With 8 minutes left the Jets had a 19-7 lead. With Dennis Allen ordering Carr to throw 2 yard passes, another Raiders loss seemed assured.
The Raiders tried to fold but the Jets would not let them. A roughing the passer penalty followed by defensive pass interference gave the Raiders yardage. It didn’t matter. On 4th and 14 form near midfield, the Raiders decided to go for it. Then they burned a timeout. Then they took a false start. Then they decided to punt. Oakland got it back with 2 1/2 minutes left, plenty of time for Dennis Allen to call 3 more 2 yard passes.
When finally allowed to throw the ball due to necessity, Carr went deep to James Jones, who made an acrobatic 30 yard touchdown catch with 80 seconds to play. The onside kick failed and the Raiders were done. Dink and Dunk with Dennis meant death for the Raiders. Dennis Allen still has not been fired. 19-14 Jets
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens — Cincinnati moved the ball at will early on, but had to settle for Mike Nugent field goals. Nugent connected from 49 and 22 in the first quarter and from 26, 46 and 38 in the second quarter in powering the Bengals to a 15-0 lead.
In the third quarter the Ravens finally showed some life, as Joe Flacco led an 82 yard drive. Forsett ran it in from the 13 to get the Ravens on the board down 15-7. Justin Tucker hit a 38 yard field goal to get the Ravens within 15-10. With the Ravens facing 3rd and 14 form their own 20, Flacco then went bombs away to Steve Smith for an 80 yard touchdown. With 6 minutes left in regulation the Ravens had come back to take the 16-15 lead.
Only one minute late it was Red Rifle Andy Dalton going deep to AJ Green for a 77 yard touchdown. The Bengals retook the 7 point lead. Flacco led the Ravens from their 12 to a 3rd and 4 at the Cincy 16 with just over one minute to play. Consecutive sacks of Flacco killed the drive and allowed the Bengals to hang on for the win. 23-16 Bengals
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears — Jay Cutler needed only 4 plays and less than 2 minutes to move the Bears 66 yards, with a 12 yard touchdown toss to Michael Bennett making it 7-0 Chicago.
With this expected to be an easy game for the Bears, Buffalo stormed back. EJ Manuel led the Bills 71 yards, running the final deuce himself to tie the game 7-7. In the second quarter with the Bears driving, a fumble by Brandon Marshall led to a 50 yard Dan Carpenter field goal to put Buffalo in front. With the Bears driving again, Cutler was intercepted by Graham, who returned it 43 yards. From the Chicago 7, Manuel hit CJ Spiller for the score to make it 17-7 Bills.
In the third quarter Robbie Gould hit a 41 yard field goal to get the Bears within 17-10. Cutler then found Marshall for an 11 yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17. Cutler would finish 34 of 49 for 349 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Marc Trestman’s offense piles up yardage, but on this day did not convert those yards into many points.
With 4 minutes left, Carpenter hit a 33 yard field goal to give the Bills the 20-17 lead. With 45 seconds left, the Bears faced 2nd and 1 from the Buffalo 19. Cutler threw incomplete twice as the Bears settled for a 37 yard Gould field goal to tie it again.
The Bears got the ball first in overtime but punted. Buffalo took over at their own 22 and the ground game got the job done. Spiller gained 13 and Manuel hit Williams for 20 more. Fred Jackson broke off a 38 yard run down to the one. Carpenter hit the 27 harder to win it as Buffalo had the upset. 23-20 Bears
Washington Redskins at Houston Texans — A field position game was scoreless after the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter Washington began a drive at the Houston 46. Al Fred Morris had gains of 16 and 21 as Young plunged in from the one. The extra point was blocked as the Redskins led 6-0.
With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half, one play changed the game as Ryan Fitzpatrick went deep to Hopkins for a 76 yard touchdown and a 7-6 Texans lead. More special teams problems for Washington meant a blocked punt. Way was the punter, and the ball went the wrong way. Alfred Blue got the block, the recovery and the touchdown as the Texans now led 14-6.
Suffocating defense meant a lifeless second half. After closing the season with 14 straight losses last year, the Texans locked up the win for rookie Bill O’Brien with a field goal at the 2 minute warning. 17-6 Texans
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs — A defensive first half saw the Chiefs get on the board first in the second quarter with a 35 yard Santos field goal. Jake Locker then threw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Walker to make it 7-3 Titans. Ryan Succop was cut by the Chiefs this preseason in favor of Santos, and now Succop kicks for Tennessee. His 36 harder just before the half had the Titans up 10-3.
In the third quarter Locker threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Wright to make it 17-3 Titans. An interception of Alex Smith led to a 31-yard Succop field goal and a 20-3 Titans lead. Succop added a 46 yarder to make it 23-3 Titans.
Smith did throw a 5 yard touchdown to Anthony Fasano with 10 minutes left in regulation, but it was too little, too late. Succop tacked on a 47 yarder and Smith was intercepted again. Last year Walrus Lite Andy Reid led the Chiefs to a 9-0 start before they stumbled. This year it was Ken Whisenhunt winning his first game as the Tennessee head coach. Jake Locker was 22 of 33 for 266 yards two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Alex Smith was intercepted three times. 26-10 Titans
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots — With the Patriots expected to role over the Dolphins for the billionth straight time, New England started 3 and out and then saw their punt blocked. From the Patriots 15, Ryan Tannehill put the Dolphins up 7-0 with a 4 yard touchdown pass. Robert Kraft did not fire Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick on the spot to replace them with Joe Philbin and Tannehill.
Kraft’s patience was rewarded as reality soon set in. Brady led the Patriots 80 yards in 13 plays over 6 1/2 minutes to tie the game. A 47 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal gave the Patriots the lead. In the second quarter, Brady moved the Patriots 94 yards in 11 plays, with a 6 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski making it 17-7 Patriots.
Sturgis hit a 38 yard field goal for Miami, but Gostkowski nailed a 45 yarder to put the Patriots up 20-10 at intermission.
In the third quarter Sturgis hit from 24 to get the Dolphins within 20-13. Brady was then sacked and fumbled, setting up the Dolphins at the Patriots 34. Tannehill threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace to tie the game 20-20 midway through the third quarter. Miami had all the momentum and again Tannehill led the Dolphins to the Patriots 3 yard line. Again Miami settled for a 22 yard field goal and a 23-20 Dolphins lead.
Brady would throw the ball 56 times in this game, completing only 29 of those passes. Tannehill was far more efficient, leading a 12 play, 6 minute drive that moved Miami 85 yards. Knowshon Moreno scored on 3rd and goal from the 4 to put the Dolphins up 30-20.
A sack of Brady meant another fumble and another field goal as 23 unanswered points led to the surprising upset. Despite the Patriots being much better than the Dolphins since 2001, Brady has had some of his worst games at Miami. 33-20 Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys — The 49ers set out to prove that off-field problems have not derailed them. The Cowboys set out to prove they were not as awful as the preseason suggested. Unless the triplets plan to come out of retirement, Dallas may very well be that bad. A 35-yard fumble return by Chris Culliver had the 49ers up 7-0 and they never looked back.
Tony Romo moved the Cowboys to a 2nd and 1 at the San Francisco 2. He was then sacked as the Cowboys settled for a field goal. Colin Kaepernick then found Vernon Davis for a 29-yard touchdown to make it 14-3 49ers. Romo was then intercepted at midfield by Reid, who returned it to the 2 yard line. Kaepernick hit Davis again to make it 21-3 49ers in the first quarter. In the second quarter Romo again moved the Cowboys to the 49ers 5 yard line before being intercepted in the end zone. Romo’s 3rd interception led to a 4-yard touchdown run as the 49ers led 28-3 at halftime. For some reason, the second half was played. The Cowboys turnovers on the field had Jerry Jones contemplating turnovers in his entire staff, except for himself. The Santa Clara Silicon Valley 49ers should change their name while the Cowboys should change everything. 28-17 49ers
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Carolina was supposed to regress. The Buccaneers were supposed to improve. Even with Cam Newton missing his first start, the script did not materialize. After a scoreless opening quarter, Derek Anderson led a nine-minute drive and threw a five-yard touchdown to Greg Olsen to make it 7-0 Panthers. Graham Gano tacked on a 28-yard field goal to make it 10-0 Panthers at halftime. Anderson threw a 26-yard fourth quarter touchdown to Benjamin on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 17-0 Panthers.
The Buccaneers mounted a furious late rally. Josh McCown threw a pair of touchdown passes, the second one just before the two minute warning. Tampa Bay held on defense and got the ball back at their own 32 with 1:36 to play. The Buccaneers quickly fumbled the ball away. Carolina had to settle for a 33-yard Gano field goal. Gano had missed one earlier, so with 23 seconds left the Buccaneers still had life. Needing 79 yards with five seconds left, the Buccaneers came up 70 yards short as Carolina’s defense gave Lovie Smith no love in his Tampa Bay debut. 20-14 Panthers
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos was the Sunday night game. Last year Peyton Manning failed to get revenge against the team that cast him aside. This year the game was in Peyton’s place. Two years ago Colts fans chanted “Suck for Luck.” On this night, even with Luck, the Colts just sucked. This game was the Suspension Bowl, with Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Broncos kicker Matt Prater, and Colts owner Jim Irsay all sitting out several weeks for violating the league’s drug policy.
As for the game, Manning moved the Colts on a staggering 16 play, 77 yard drive that consumed 6 1/2 minutes and led to a 1st and goal at the 3. Manning threw 3 straight incompletions, forcing Denver to settle for a field goal. It was the last time in the half they would settle. Manning began playing pitch and catch with Julius Thomas, hooking up for touchdowns of 3, 35 and 5 yards. Manning had nearly 200 yards passing in the first half. Trailing 24-0, Luck did work the 2 minute drill well. Luck scrambled for a 9 yard touchdown seconds before the half ended.
In the third quarter a questionable defensive pass interference call against Denver had the Colts knocking on the door again. A completion to the goal line looked like a touchdown until the receiver got stacked up by three defenders just short of the goal line. On 4th and goal from inches away, Luck went for the quarterback sneak and got belted backward by the entire Denver defense. Late in the third quarter the Colts again got inside the 10 yard line but settled for a field goal to trail 24-10.
With 10 minutes left in regulation, Monte Ball ran it in from 3 yards out to make it 31-10 Broncos. Luck mounted a furious rally. A 41-yard touchdown pass to Allen and a successful onside kick was followed by an interception of Luck off a deflected ball with 5 1/2 minutes remaining. The Broncos punted and Luck threw a 9-yard touchdown to Hakeem Nicks with 3 1/2 minutes left to get the Colts within 7. Indianapolis got it back again and at the two minute-warning the Colts faced 4th and six at the Denver 39. Luck’s pass was batted away incomplete. Luck had 370 yards passing, 100 more than Manning. The Broncos got the win. 31-24 Broncos
New York Giants at Detroit Lions was the first Monday night game. The Lions under Jim Caldwell were supposed to be improved, especially under Jim Caldwell. The Giants were supposed to be a mess, perhaps driving Captain Grumpy Tom Coughlin into retirement. Coughlin is as demonstrative as Caldwell is expressionless. Sometimes results deviate from the script. This was not that game. Caldwell likes to put pedal to the medal, just as he did when he coached Indianapolis. In this game Matthew Stafford followed up a 67 yard touchdown bomb to Calvin Johnson by going back to Megatron for a 16 yard touchdown as the Lions led 14-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter Eli Manning led a 13 play, 79 yard drive that ended up with a one yard touchdown pass to Donnell as the Giants only trailed 14-7 at the break. However, the Lions turned out the lights in the third quarter. Freese nailed field goals of 28 and 27 yards and Stafford ran it in from 5 yards out as the Lions led 27-7 after three quarters. Manning did lead a 14 play, 80 yard, 7 minute drive that finished with Rashad Jennings plunging in from one yard out. Yet Stafford responded with a 12 play, 80 yard, 7 minute drive that saw Bell run it in from 3 yards out to finish off the Giants for good. 35-14 Lions
San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals was the second Monday night game. A scoreless first quarter became a game only kickers could love in the second quarter as Catanzaro connected from 22, Nick Novak responded from 36, and Catanzaro hit from 44 to put the Cardinals up 6-3 at halftime. In the third quarter the Chargers got going on offense as Phillip Rivers hit Malcolm Floyd from 6 yards out to give San Diego the lead. A sack of Carson Palmer forced a fumble that led to a short field and a 20 yard Ryan Mathews touchdown run to make it 17-6 Chargers.
Early in the fourth quarter Palmer found Taylor for a 5 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion failed but the Cardinals were within 17-12. San Diego had a chance to put the game away midway through the fourth quarter when the Chargers faced 3rd and 8 at the Arizona 29. A snap out of the shotgun was fumbled, resulting in a 14 yard loss out of field goal range.
The Cardinals took over at their own 9 yard line and soon faced 3rd and 10. Palmer may be old, but he scrambled for 12 yards. He hit Floyd for 9 and Ellington added 18 more. Palmer then went deep to Larry Fitzgerald for 22 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Chargers 29, Palmer found Floyd for 16 and Brown for the 13 yard touchdown. Despite the 2 point conversion, the 91 yard drive gave the Cardinals the one point lead with 2 1/2 minutes in regulation. However, this was one of those situations where had the Cardinals not tried the first two pointer they would not have needed the second one. So a field goal would win it for the Chargers rather than tie the game. San Diego took over at their own 20 and Rivers hit Allen for 12 and Antonio Gates for 8 more to the Chargers 40 at the 2 minute warning. A pair of incompletions led to the critical 4th and 2. Rivers threw incomplete again and the Cardinals hung on for the comeback win. 18-17 Cardinals
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