The Arizona Cardinals snapped a six-game losing streak with a dramatic overtime win against the St. Louis Rams yesterday in Glendale.
The score was tied at 13 at the end of regulation -- then the Cards' first-round draft pick in last this year's draft, Patrick Peterson, got all Patrick Peterson on the Rams' special teams and ran back a punt 99-yards for an overtime touchdown and the 19-13 win.
"He's a special young man," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters after the game. "I'm glad that we have him on our football team -- my new son."
Peterson, a rookie, is now the only player in NFL history with three punt returns for scores in his first eight games.
Peterson's game-winning return came moments after he was called for pass
interference in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. The penalty
setup the Rams for what could have been a game-winning 42-yard field
goal. However, Cards' defensive tackle Calais Campbell blocked the kick,
sending the game into overtime -- and that's when Peterson struck.
"I was like 'This team needs a play," Peterson said. "I decided to catch the ball and just run for my life."
With the exception of Peterson's game-winning touchdown, the game was ugly for the Cards.
Playing without starting quarterback Kevin Kolb, the Cards headed into
halftime down 9-3. With B-squad QB John Skelton at the helm, the Rams
forced two safeties in the third quarter, which were the team's only
points in the third, marking the first time in NFL history that a team's
scored four points in a quarter.
"We just gave them four points in two possessions right there with those
plays," Skelton said after the game, "but no one lost faith on the sidelines."
Skelton and the Cards recovered, and tied the game at 13 with a 13-yard Larry Fitzgerald touchdown.
With about five minutes to play, the Rams drove the ball into Arizona
territory. Peterson's penalty pushed St. Louis into field goal range as
the clock dwindled towards zero.
Campbell's block sent the game to overtime -- and that's when Peterson showed off his wheels.
The Cards are now 2-6, and no longer in the basement of the NFC West.
The Cards head to Philadelphia on Sunday to face the 3-4 Eagles. For more info, click here.
