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Cardinals Beat Eagles, Continue Improbable Run

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: January 19, 2009

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The chant began in the southwest corner, sweeping through University of Phoenix Stadium with 1:51 remaining until it was a runaway roar.

"Super Bowl, Super Bowl," Arizona fans said in unison, pumping up the volume and raising fists in the air.

Friends hugged, strangers exchanged high-fives and tears flowed freely as long-suffering Cardinals fans celebrated perhaps the most improbable postseason run in the NFL's 89-year history.

Donovan McNabb's fourth-down pass had just fallen incomplete, securing Arizona's 32-25 triumph against favored Philadelphia in an NFC title game matchup that appeared implausible in November.

Over in Section 103, 15-year season-ticket holders Bill and Mary Frey shouted in joy until both became hoarse.

"We always hoped, but we never knew this franchise would ever get to this point," Bill said as a jubilant fan behind him held up a sign that read: "Cardinals Are Migrating to Tampa."

The Cardinals (12-7) hadn't won a division title since 1975, the year before the Bucs began play, but a talented roster came together this season as Arizona became the final NFC team to reach a conference championship game.

McNabb led a furious comeback bid by the sixth-seeded Eagles, who trailed 24-6 at the half, but the Cardinals responded with a game-winning 72-yard march and their reeling defense stiffened as Arizona advanced to Tampa for the Feb. 1 Super Bowl.

"No one said it was going to be easy," said free safety Antrel Rolle, the former University of Miami standout. "We've got one more game to go and I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready for Tampa. I miss Florida, so it's time to go back home and finish the job."

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught three first-half touchdown passes from Kurt Warner and rookie back Tim Hightower stepped up in crunch time after Philadelphia went ahead 25-24 on a 62-yard scoring catch by rookie DeSean Jackson with 10:45 left.

David Akers, who had set an NFL postseason record with 19 consecutive field goal conversions before missing a 47-yard attempt in the second quarter, shanked the extra-point attempt and the Cardinals began the ensuing drive at their own 28, trailing by one point.

"We got into that huddle and I don't think a lot was said," said Warner, who threw for 279 yards in raising his postseason record to 8-2. "Guys were calm and collected and believed we could drive the ball down the field. They took care of business."

On fourth-and-1 from midfield, Hightower skirted right end for 6 yards. Fitzgerald caught three passes for 39 yards on a championship drive that consumed 7:52.

"Nobody wanted to be the guy to let this team down," said Fitzgerald, who already has five touchdown catches in the postseason. "I want to make sure I'm accountable and if I'm not, I get that death stare from Kurt."

Hightower gained 5 yards on third-and-1 before the Cardinals faced a third-and-goal situation from the Eagles 8-yard line.

"It was a heck of a call," Hightower said of Warner's flip out of the shotgun formation. "You could tell in the huddle that Kurt believed the play was going to work."

Hightower did the rest, taking the middle screen into the end zone, despite two defenders lurking near the goal line.

"If I had a chance to play this game again, I would love to be in that situation again because I was feeling nothing but confident that we'd get off the field, but we didn't, so give Arizona credit," Eagles safety Brian Dawkins said. "I want to apologize to our fans. We gave what we could, but we came up short."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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