2008 Arizona Cardinals: Inches Away

2008 Arizona Cardinals: Inches Away

2008 Arizona Cardinals: A Game of Inches

The 2008 Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West, but they didn’t raise many eyebrows entering the playoffs. They earned a home playoff game, but not much was expected from this group. The Cardinals scored 26.7 points per game, which ranked third in the NFL. However, they allowed 26.6 points per game, which ranked 28th. No one doubted that they had the talent. With former league MVP Kurt Warner under center and two stud wide receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals had the ability to score in bunches. Despite their talent on offense, the Cardinals finished an unimpressive 9-7 in a weak NFC West. None of that seemed to matter once the playoffs began, as the team gelled and came within inches of winning the Super Bowl.

Kurt Warner’s Redemption in the Desert

When Kurt Warner came to the Cardinals, it was thought that he was in the twilight of his career. He was years removed from being the league MVP who led “The Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis. When the Cardinals drafted former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart 10th overall in 2006, it was assumed that Warner would take on a mentoring role for the future quarterback of the organization. Leinart couldn’t hold on to the starting job, and Warner stepped in to fill a full-time role in 2008.

The 37-year-old Warner looked rejuvenated. Todd Haley’s aggressive play-calling on offense took full advantage of his personnel’s natural abilities. Warner earned another Pro Bowl selection by completing 67% of his passes and throwing for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston each had over 1,000 receiving yards. Fitzgerald led the way with 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns, powering the 2008 Arizona Cardinals into one of the league’s most dangerous offenses down the stretch.

Cardinals Roll Through the NFC Playoffs

Dominant Win Over Carolina

After defeating the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the playoffs at home, the Cardinals traveled to face the Carolina Panthers, who had gone undefeated at home in the regular season. The two teams traded touchdowns early until Edgerrin James’s 4-yard rushing touchdown put the Cardinals ahead 14-7. Jake Delhomme’s five interceptions and one fumble spelled the end for the Panthers’ offense. Warner and Fitzgerald added one more touchdown to go with Neil Rackers’s four field goals to defeat the Panthers 33-13 and advance to the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Comeback for the NFC Championship

The Cardinals came home for the NFC title game against the Eagles. They jumped out to a 24-6 lead at halftime behind three Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns. The Eagles responded with 19 straight points in the second half to take a one-point lead. They weren’t able to hang on to that lead, as Tim Hightower and Kurt Warner connected for an 8-yard touchdown to seal the game for the Cardinals and send the franchise to its first Super Bowl.

Heartbreak in Super Bowl XLIII

Harrison’s Pick-Six Swings Momentum

The Pittsburgh Steelers held an early 10-7 lead in Super Bowl XLIII, but Warner had the Cardinals within striking distance to take the lead before halftime. Fortunes turn quickly in football, and within a few seconds, instead of leading 14-10 going into the half, the Cardinals trailed 17-7 thanks to James Harrison’s remarkable 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Holmes’ Toe-Tap Seals It

This gut-wrenching play to end the half didn’t crush the Cardinals’ hopes. After falling farther behind in the third quarter, the Cardinals rallied thanks to two more Larry Fitzgerald touchdowns and a safety. With less than two and a half minutes to play in the game, the Cardinals were ahead 23-20. Unfortunately, the Cardinals’ defense couldn’t stop Ben Roethlisberger from marching down the field. Roethlisberger found Santonio Holmes in the back of the end zone with a perfect pass for a touchdown. Roethlisberger placed the ball where only Holmes could catch it, and Holmes used his tremendous athleticism to keep his toes inbounds.

The Cardinals lost 27-23, but a few inches to the right and the 2008 Arizona Cardinals would have ended their incredible playoff run as Super Bowl champions.