Cardinals Beat Eagles in 2009 NFC Championship

Arizona Headed to First-Ever Super Bowl

Jan 19, 2009 Justin Harrington

37-year-old Kurt Warner has led another team to an improbable appearance in the Super Bowl. Will he be able to deliver a win like he did in 1999 with the St. Louis Rams?

Heading into Sunday's NFC Championship game the Philadelphia Eagles defense wanted all eyes on Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald. Once the whistle blew, those eyes must have shifted elsewhere. Fitzgerald was on the receiving end of all three Cardinals' touchdowns in the first half as Arizona jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead. The Eagles missed several opportunities to put points on the board in the first 30 minutes of play due to inaccurate passing from Donovan McNabb, key drops by Philadelphia receivers, and a missed FG by David Akers that snapped his NFL postseason record of 19 straight. It was looking like a romp for the Cardinals and another failed NFC Championship game for the Eagles. It was Philadelphia's fifth appearance in the game in eight seasons, with their only win coming in 2005. It appeared as if history was repeating itself ...

Third Quarter Belongs to Philadelphia

If ever there was a time for the Eagles to begin mounting a comeback it was the third quarter. As the defense began to come around so too did the offense. McNabb connected with TE Brent Celek on 6-yard and 31-yard TD receptions a little over three minute aparts and brought the Eagles within five points, 25-19. Akers, who missed the FG earlier in the game, uncharacteristically missed the extra point conversion on the second TD, something he hadn't done all season. Regardless, it was a one-score game and the once loud University of Phoenix Stadium crowd had become quieted by worry. Arizona gained just eight yards the entire quarter.

Eagles Take Lead in Fourth

If the Cardinals thought that the 13-point swing was just a empty threat by the Eagles it got worse when it became a 19-point swing early in the fourth quarter. On first-and-10 from the Eagles 38-yard line, McNabb heaved a deep pass to DeSean Jackson that tipped off CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromarti's fingertips and into the hands of Jackson. Bobbling the ball, Jackson was able to achieve possession and backpedal into the end zone for 62-yard TD. The Eagles failed on a subsequent two-point conversion attempt but now had the lead, 25-24, and the Cardinals on their heels. How would Arizona respond?

Warner Leads Cardinals to Glory

This entire NFC Championship game was built on improbability. First, there's the fact that Arizona and Philadelphia were even playing football at this time of the season. Then there's the 19-0 run by the once down-and-out Eagles that gave them the lead. So, what next? Well, 14 plays, 72 yards, and 7:52 later, Warner and the Cardinals had the lead again when the veteran QB connected with RB Tim Hightower on an eight-yard TD pass. Arizona converted for two points and led 32-25 with just under three minutes left. So, again, what next? McNabb was able to push his team to the Arizona 47-yard line, but four incomplete passes later it was Cardinals ball and, with no timeouts left, the Eagles were able to get the ball back with only nine seconds on the clock. It proved to be enough time for nothing more than a few non-threatening lateral passes that ultimately resulted in a Philadelphia fumble deep in their zone that put an end to their Cinderella season. Arizona's Cinderella season, on the other hand, continues. They'll face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, February 1st in Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, FL. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

Cardinals Leaders:

  • Warner: 21-for-28 for 279 yards and 4 TDs
  • Edgerrin James: 16 rushes for 73 yards
  • Fitzgerald: 9 catches for 152 yards and 3 TDs
  • Adrian Wilson: 7 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble

Eagles Leaders:

  • McNabb: 28-for-47 for 375 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
  • Westbrook: 12 rushes for 45 yards
  • Celek: 10 catches for 83 yards and 2 TDs
  • Stewart Bradley: 9 tackles

Notes:

  • The teams combined for 823 yards, the highest one-game total in NFL playoff history.
  • The Cardinals, originally founded in 1898, hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the United States. In 1988, the franchise relocated to Arizona from St. Louis, where it had been for 28 years, .
  • Brent Celek's 10 receptions established an Eagles' playoff record.
  • The Eagles are now 1-4 in the NFC Championship during the Donovan McNabb-Andy Reid era.
  • Kurt Warner is 6-0 in his playoff career in home games.
  • Warner has won all three NFC Championship games in which he has appeared (1999, 2001 and 2009). His only Super Bowl win came in 1999 in Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams against the Tennessee Titans. He won the League and Super Bowl MVP awards that year.

Stats Source:

nfl.com

azcardinals.com

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