Kurt Warner Puts A Hurtin’ To The Rams

Posted by Edge on October 21st, 2007 filed in NFL

Kurt Warner kept the offence moving through the air and Edgerrin James grinded out the yards on the ground, lifting the Arizona Cardinals to a 34-31 victory over the winless St Louis Rams on Sunday.

A former Ram who guided the franchise to the Super Bowl title during the 1999 season, Warner always has fond memories when he returns to St Louis.

Warner now splits time at quarterback in Arizona with Matt Leinart, who has struggled this season.

Warner saw the bulk of playing time Sunday after Leinart suffered an injury to his left collarbone in the second quarter.

Warner did enough to keep the Rams winless, completing 14-of-28 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

He also rushed for a score in the second quarter.

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With 3:11 remaining, Warner threw a seven-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald, giving the Cardinals (3-2) a 34-23 lead.

Fitzgerald finished with nine receptions for 136 yards.

It also was a productive afternoon for James, who rushed for 88 yards on 26 carries.

Before going down, Leinart went 7-of-13 for 100 yards and an interception.

Starting in place of the banged-up Marc Bulger, Gus Frerotte threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions for the Rams (0-5).

Frerotte’s final interception was returned 68 yards for a TD by Roderick Hood with 13:47 remaining, allowing the Cardinals to grab a 27-20 lead.

After Jeff Wilkins kicked a 31-yard field goal, Warner sealed things with his connection to Fitzgerald.

The Rams got a big play on the Cardinals’ first drive when Fakhir Brown, playing his first game after serving a four game suspension for substance abuse, intercepted Leinart and returned the ball 12 yards to the Rams 39-yard line.

The Rams then mounted a nine-play, 33-yard drive that resulted in a 46-yard field goal by Wilkins.

Arizona answered with a 50-yard field goal by Neil Rackers to tie the game.

St Louis finally scored an offensive touchdown when Frerotte found Drew Bennett in the back of the end zone from 16 yards five seconds into the second quarter. It was the Rams’ first TD in their last 33 possessions.

The Cardinals once again moved the ball down the field behind Leinart but came away empty-handed as Rams rookie Adam Carriker blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt by Rackers.

Arizona switched things up midway through the second quarter and replaced Leinart with Warner, who marched the team downfield.

Running the no-huddle offense, Warner led the team down to the St Louis 6. James took a hand-off and fumbled at the goal line. The ball squirted into the end zone and it looked as if the Rams had it covered.

However, Reggie Wells bounced into the pile and came out with the ball for a Cardinal touchdown, tying the game at 10-10.

After a 35-yard field goal by Wilkins put the Rams back on top 13-10, the Cardinals took over with 1:11 left in the first half and drove to the St Louis one with 14 seconds left.

Without a timeout, the Cardinals opted to give the ball to James, who was stopped for no gain.

But during a scramble, the Rams were called for delay of game, allowing one untimed down to be run. Warner then dove over the top, giving the Cards a 17-13 lead.