Safety Adrian Wilson celebrates his interception late in Monday night's 29-24 victory over the 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Cardinals had their streak of games with a sack end at 31, but their defense made some game-saving plays – aside from the goal-line stand that ended the 29-24 win over San Francisco Monday night.
Long-time defensive stalwarts Adrian Wilson and Karlos Dansby each had big interceptions. Dansby's pick of Shaun Hill came at the 49ers' 39-yard line with a little more than five minutes left, and he returned it 34 yards to set up what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
"I don't think he saw me," Dansby said. "Coach kept telling me in practice, 'Stay deep, stay deep.' He just threw a floater. I tried to get in the end zone, I think the dude horse collared me though."
A flag wasn't thrown, but the Cards got it in two plays anyway. Wilson's interception came on the 49ers' next drive, a diving, fingertip grab of an ill-advised Hill shovel throw that running back Frank Gore wasn't looking for.
"We just were trying to make a play," Wilson said.
AENEAS HONORED
Former Cardinal Pro Bowl cornerback Aeneas Williams was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor Monday night, the 13th person to be so honored.
"It's tremendous to finally see the atmosphere the way I always thought it could be," Williams said of the sellout crowd. "I knew we had the fans here and it was just a matter of when the winning would start."
Williams said he still hadn't fully grasped going into the Ring of Honor.
"It's a tremendous honor from the Bidwill family, not only as a player, but just as a person off the field, to want to have my name up here," said Williams, who is Hall of Fame eligible after the 2009 season. "It's pretty awesome."
RED-ZONE ISSUES
The Cardinals made it inside the 49ers' 20 six times, but three times had to kick field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.
"We didn't play well in the red zone tonight," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "If we do what we are supposed to do down there, it's not a game."
In the aftermath of the win, however, quarterback Kurt Warner said the Cardinals would be OK.
"I'm not worried about it," Warner said. "The bottom line is continuing to get down there, continuing to get points, and we're going to make our fair share."
FRIENDLY ADVICE
Wilson said he talked to 49ers star running back Frank Gore after the game, following San Francisco's choice to have Michael Robinson carry the ball on the final tote.
"I told Frank he's their best player (and) in that situation, he's got to demand the ball," Wilson said. "That's what great players do. To me, to have him wide as a wide out (on the last play), to me, that wasn't a good play."
EXTRA POINTS
After not playing in St. Louis, Edgerrin James played a few snaps and got two carries (for four yards). …
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin had two touchdown receptions and set a franchise record for a sixth straight game with a TD catch. …
Warner had his 16th 300-yard game as a Cardinal and third in a row. He trails Neil Lomax (19) for most 300-yard games in franchise history.
Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 11/10/08.
