Nov

13

Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals NFL Week 10 - Recap

Posted by Kevin Mack

November 13, 2007 |

  • NFL Week 10 Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals - Recap

Photos in article Source: Detroit News Kevin Jones, Jon Kitna, Roy Williams

In a NFL road game that could have cemented the Detroit Lions as legitimate playoff contenders in the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals dominated defensively and won 31-21. The score was closer then the game actually was as the Cardinals defense controlled the Lions offense throughout the game.  As impressive as the last 2 Lion wins were the performance against the Cardinals was just the opposite, very un-impressive. In the NFL it is very difficult to win games on the road and this game was another example. Included in the game by the Lions was:

  • Season high 10 Penalties
  • Season high 5 Turnovers
  • 4 Sacks of QB Jon Kitna
  • Negative 18 yards rushing, Lowest in NFL since 1948 but surprisingly only the Lions 2nd worst against the Cardinals 
  • Inability to get 1 yard on the ground on 3 attempts on 2 different possessions deep in Arizona territory one of those on a 4th and 1
  • Relentless pressure of Kitna by Arizona defenders
  • Only 8 rushing attempts and 49 passing attempts 

 

Next up for the Lions is a game against the New York Giants at Ford Field Sunday November 18th @ 1:00. Coach Marinelli has instructed the team to put the loss behind them and focus on what is ahead.

Arizona started the game with the ball and QB Kurt Warner quickly led the Cardinals to two 1st downs. Warner then tried a pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald that was intercepted by SS Kenoy Kennedy who returned it to the Cardinals 25. Detroit used just 3 plays to navigate the 25 yards and scored a TD on a 4 yard run by RB Kevin Jones. Detroit has a 7-0 lead very quickly. The Cardinals 2nd possession stalls near mid-field after two 1st downs and they punt to Detroit and the Lions start at their own 20. This Lion drive only lasts 1 play as Kitna threw a pass that was intercepted by LB Karlos Dansby and he was able to return the pick to the Lions 13. Arizona picked up a 1st and goal at the Lions 2 and then tried 2 running plays that Detroit stopped for 3 yards in losses. On 3rd and goal Warner threw and incompletion and K Neil Rackers kicked a 23 yard Field Goal to make it 7-3 Lions.  Detroit on the ensuing possession started a recurring theme for the day with the 1st of many 3 and outs. Arizona manages 1 first down as the 1st Quarter ends with Detroit leading 7-3. At the start of the 2nd Quarter Arizona punts back to Detroit and the Lions for the 2nd consecutive drive have a 3 and out. Now the Cardinals reciprocate and have a 3 and out of their own. Not to be outdone the Lions get the hat trick with their 3rd 3 and out in a row. Detroit punts into Arizona territory and an exceptional runback by returner Steve Breaston puts the Cardinals at the Lions 13. Using just 3 plays QB Kurt Warner is successful on a 1 yard pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald to put the Cardinals in front 10-7.  Detroit gets the ball back after the Cardinal kickoff at their own 20 and promptly execute their 4th straight 3 and out. Warner’s Cardinals take control of the game with a well executed drive covering 15 plays, 5 minutes and 90 yards. Warner is taken out and replaced by QB Tim Rattay when the Cardinals have 2 and goal from the Lions two. Reportedly this substitution is done to execute running plays better as Warner has a torn ligament in his left elbow. On the first play that Rattay is in he executes a beautiful play action fake and throws to a wide open TE Leonard Pope for a TD and a 17-7 Cardinal lead. Detroit gets the ball back with only 18 seconds left in the half and just run out the clock. At the end of the Half Arizona leads 17-7. Some interesting 1st half statistics for your review:

  • Lions have only 2 first downs and both are on their TD drive, 1 real 1st down and then they get credit for a 1st down on the TD run by Jones that covered 4 yards on 1st and goal
  • Lions have 4 straight 3 and outs
  • Lions have 17 offensive plays compared to the Cardinals 45Kevin Jones no room to run Arizona
  • Lions have 46 net yards compared to the Cardinals 196
  • Lions have -4 yards rushing on 4 attempts by Kevin Jones compared to the Cardinals 49 on 16 attempts 

Detroit starts the 2nd half with the ball and does not go 3 and out. QB Jon Kitna leading a drive with 8 straight passes has the Lions down to the Cardinals 26 and a chance to get the Lions back in the game. On 1st down Detroit tries and end around to WR Shaun McDonald and Cardinal LB Karlos Dansby chases McDonald back for a 15 yard loss. As McDonald’s arm with the ball cradled in it, hits the turf the ball pops out and the Cardinals recover the fumble. The Lions challenge the ruling of the fumble but the play is upheld and the Cardinals start with the ball at the Lions 49. In your ‘Lion Eyes’ blogger’s humble opinion that play should have been overturned and was a big turning point in the game. Not that it turned the game in the Cardinals favor, it was already in their favor, but that it kept the Lions from getting back in the game early in the 3rd quarter. QB Kurt Warner led the Cardinals on quick 5 play TD drive culminating with a 16 yard TD pass to TE Leonard Pope his 2nd TD of the game. Arizona has extended their lead to 24-7 half way through the 3rd Quarter. The Cardinals at this point have scored TDs on their last 3 possessions. Detroit gets the ball back at their own 33 after the kickoff. Kitna quickly moves the Lions down the field with only passes and hits WR Roy Williams with a 7 yard TD pass to make it 24-14 Cardinals and give the Lions some hope. Arizona again starts in Detroit territory when Steve Breaston returns the kickoff 52 yards to the Lions 43. Detroit’s defense gets another turnover when Warner fumbles trying to handoff. Detroit’s possession only last 2 plays as Kitna fumbles the snap on 2nd and 10 and the Cardinals recover at the Lions 36. The 3rd Quarter ends and the Cardinals lead 24-14. Warner takes the Cardinals the 36 yards in 3 plays and finishes the drive with a 20 yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald for his 2nd TD of the game. Arizona leads 31-14 just 2 minutes into the 4th Quarter. Detroit starts the next drive and Kitna throws a pass intended for WR Roy Williams that is intercepted by LB Karlos Dansby and returned to the Lions 35. On the 2nd play for the Cardinals TE Leonard Pope fumbles after a reception and T Cory Redding recovers for the Lions. Kitna throws for a 1st down and Jon Kitna Sacked by Arizonathen on 3rd and 8 the Cardinals sack Kitna forcing a fumble and Arizona recovers. Detroit’s 5th and final turnover of the game. Arizona returns the favor when on 3rd and 16 with Warner in shotgun formation the snap is way over his head and DT Shaun Rogers beat Warner to the ball and recovers the fumble. Arizona’s 4th and final turnover of the game. Detroit has 1st and 10 at the Cardinal 23 and seemingly a chance to get back in the game. Kitna is sacked on 1st down and then completes a pass to WR Mike Furrey to setup 3rd and 2 at the Cardinals 15. RB Aveion Cason gains 1 yard on 3rd down and T.J. Duckett is stopped for no gain on 4th and 1. Really any hope the Lions had to make a game of it ended there. Arizona went 3 and out but gave the ball back to Detroit Roy Williams TD catch Arizonawith only 3 minutes left. Kitna led Detroit down the field and a TD. WR Roy Williams caught his 2nd 7 yard TD pass of the game from Kitna to cut the Cardinal lead to 31-21. Kicker Jason Hanson executed a perfect onside kick and the ball hopped over the Cardinal hands team. WR Shaun McDonald had an opportunity to catch the ball and looked like he would have sprinted a long way, but the ball eluded him and went out of bounds.  Arizona ran out the last 1:15. Final Score Arizona 31 - Detroit 21.

Complete NFL Game Statistical Summary can be seen here.
National Football League Game Summary Source: NFL

Stats for Detroit vs Arizona NFL Week 10

Passing Attempts Completions-Yds-Int TDs Rating/Sacks
Jon Kitna - Detroit 45 32 - 294 - 2 2 84.9 - 4
Kurt Warner - Arizona 36 26 - 259 - 1 3 108.4 - 2
Tim Rattay - Arizona 1 1 - 2 - 0 1 118.8 - 0
Receiving Catches Yards TDs Yards/Catch
Kevin Jones - Det 8 45   4.5
Shaun McDonald - Det 6 73 12.2
Roy Williams - Detroit 6 45 2 7.5
Mike Furrey - Detroit 5 64   12.8
Calvin Johnson - Detroit 3 37 12.3
Larry Fitzgerald - Ari 8 74 2 9.3
Leonard Pope - Ari 5 52 2 10.4
Bryant Johnson - Ari 4 40 10.0
Anquan Boldin - Ari 3 25 8.3
Time of Possession 3rd Down Efficiency
Detroit 24:32 Detroit 4-10 40%
Arizona 35:28 Arizona 5-11 45%
Rushing Carries Yards TDs Avg Per Carry
Kevin Jones - Det 4 -4 -1
Shaun McDonald - Det 1 -15   -15
Edgerrin James - Ariz 18 60 3.3

Cast your vote in this weeks Poll, Please.

Which Team will Win the Game on Sunday November 18, 2007?

  • Detroit Lions (61%, 27 Votes)
  • New York Giants (39%, 17 Votes)

Total Voters: 44

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  1. arizona cardinals on May 24, 2008 1:59 am

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