Arizona Cardinals shut out Chiefs in second half, end losing streak: By the Numbers
Dec 8, 2014, 12:43 AM | Updated: 12:44 am
While various media outlets around the country were preparing for the Arizona Cardinals’ fall from grace, the team itself was preparing to right the ship.
Despite coming into Sunday’s game on a two-game losing streak and falling behind early, the Cardinals rallied to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 17-14 and improve to 10-3.
Win No. 10 marks the eighth time in franchise history the Cardinals had a double-digit win season. It is the first time that has happened in back-to-back seasons since 1975-76.
Arizona weathered the early Chiefs storm, as Kansas City found the endzone twice in the first half while Arizona could only muster a pair of field goals.
Call it a team stepping up, call it halftime adjustments, call it what ever, the Cardinals shut the door in the second half. Arizona outscored Kansas City 11-0 in the third quarter and neither team scored in the fourth as the Cardinals held on for the three-point victory.
The winning formula on Sunday revolved around the running game, as the team ran more often than they passed (33 to 30), despite playing without starter Andre Ellington, who is out for the season.
Sunday’s win puts the Cardinals in firm control of their NFC West and playoff destiny.
Here is how the Cardinals won by the numbers:
0 (Part I)
Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith completed 26-of-39 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Smith has not thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver this season.
0 (Part II)
After giving up 14 points in the opening half, Arizona’s defense shut the door and shut out the Chiefs in the second half.
2 (Part I)
Number of sacks by Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker, the first multi-sack game of his career. Rucker came into the game with two sacks for the season and 14 for his career.
2 (Part II)
After starting his NFL career a perfect 17-for-17 on field goal attempts, Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro has missed four of his last nine kicks, including two misses on Sunday.
7
The Cardinals have yet to lose inside the friendly confines of University of Phoenix this season. Arizona is a perfect 7-0 at home in 2014.
13
The Cardinals forced a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter that allowed them to salt away the waning minutes of the game. Arizona leads the NFL with 13 fourth quarter turnovers this season.
63
Jamaal Charles’ big day began early, as he capped off the Chiefs’ opening drive with a 63-yard touchdown run just 4:05 into the game. Charles finished the day with 111 total yards and two total TDs.
100
Kerwynn Williams was promoted from the practice squad on Friday and he went on to lead the Cardinals in rushing yards with 100 on 19 carries. It was the first game in which Williams got a touch.
141
Thanks in no small part to Williams, the Cardinals rushed for 141 yards on the ground after coming into the game with the NFL’s 31st-ranked rushing offense, averaging 74.8 yards per game on the ground.
160
Larry Fitzgerald returned from his two-game absence to catch four balls for 34 yards. He now as at least one catch in his last 160 games played, the longest active streak in the NFL.
