words // Brandon Richard
Until Sunday, the New England Patriots had won every home opener since 2001. However, the upset-minded Arizona Cardinals had different plans, using a spirited defensive effort to hold off Tom Brady and company for the NFL’s most stunning weekend result.
Arizona’s offense wasn’t electric, but quarterback Kevin Kolb was able to limit mistakes and help the Cardinals capitalize on scoring opportunities. Kolb completed just 15 of his 27 passes, but threw a touchdown and no picks on the day. On the other hand, Brady did throw a pick that led to a Jay Feely field goal. If you’re keeping score at home, that was the difference in the game.
Not to go unnoticed was Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves blocking a Zoltan Mesko punt in the third quarter to set the Birds up on the Pats’ 2-yard line. Kolb sealed the deal with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Roberts.
There was still high drama in this game, as we’ve come to expect from the Patriots over the years. Down by 8 with a little less than six minutes left to play, Brady led New England on an 11-play, 82-yard scoring drive after connecting with tight end Rob Gronkowski. However, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful and the Patriots were forced to kick off and pray.
Their prayers were answered when Cardinals running back Ryan Williams fumbled as Arizona attempted to run down the clock. Vince Wilfork recovered and the Patriots had possession on the Cardinals’ 30. After running a couple of plays, New England set up Stephen Gostkowski for a game-winning 42-yard field goal attempt, which he pushed far to the left. The Cardinals snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and left fans at Foxborough stunned.
In other Week 2 action, the Packers got one in the “W” column after besting the Chicago Bears on Thursday; Cam and the Carolina Panthers sent the Saints to 2-0 with their surprising 35-27 home victory; Andrew Luck recorded his first victory as a pro after throwing a pair of touchdown passes in a 23-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings; Eli continued his clutch ways, lifting the New York Giants to a 41-34 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; the Seattle Seahawks had an easy go at it with a 27-7 beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys; Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers got a little revenge on Tim Tebow after topping the New York Jets 27-10; San Francisco continued to look impressive after pulling out a 27-19 win against the Detroit Lions; and the Atlanta Falcons forced Peyton Manning to throw three first quarter interceptions in a quality 27-21 Monday night victory over the Denver Broncos.
What kind of football cleats hit the turf in these games? You can find out below in this week’s NFL Watch.
images courtesy of Yahoo
Kevin Kolb tries to avoid a sack in Lunar Super Bad Pro D Nike football cleats.
Larry Fitzgerald makes a grab in the Nike Vapor Talon Elite 3/4.
cleats
Ben Roethlisberger scrambles in Lunar Super Bad Pro TD Nike football.
Julio Jones takes a knee in Mercenary III Under Armour football cleats.
AJ Green scores a touchdown in the Nike Vapor Talon Elite 3/4.
Old man Donald Driver still getting it done in the Nike Vapor Talon Elite Low.
C.J. Spiller had a huge game in the adidas adiZero 5-Star.
Cam Newton throws a pass in a new colorway of his upcoming Cam Highlight signature Under Armour football cleats.
Andrew Luck picked up his first career win in Super Speed TD Low Nike football cleats.
Marshawn Lynch went “Beast Mode” in the Nike Vapor Talon Elite 3/4.
Arian Foster runs in the Under Armour Nitro Diablo MC.
Eli Manning led a comeback Giants victory in Reebok football cleats.
Brent Celek hurdles Ed Reed in the Nike Alpha Talon Elite 3/4.
Steven Jackson excited for another home opener in the Nike Lunar Super Bad Pro TD.
Philip Rivers takes the field in Reebok football cleats.
Frank Gore celebrates a touchdown in the adidas adiZero 5-Star.
Reggie Bush finds daylight in Scorch X Superfly adidas football cleats.