Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hauls in a 13-yard touchdown for his 100th catch of the season and a score that broke a TD drought for the Cardinals during a 23-0 win Christmas Eve.
On the first day of Fitzmas, the Cardinals wide receiver gave his team one memorable Christmas Eve.
Whether it was a fitting home finale of a certain Hall of Fame career or just an excellent sendoff for 2017, Larry Fitzgerald still wasn't saying after the Cards' 23-0 win over the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday. It definitely was about a 34-year-old receiver remaining one of the best in his position in the NFL.
"I don't like to get into that type of thinking," Fitzgerald said of the possibility it was his last home game. "It's a lot bigger than me. It's the Arizona Cardinals, and there are a bunch of guys on this team and I need to be fully engaged in what I am doing.
"That's how I've always approached it, how I played little league football. Stay in the moment always."
The moment was enjoyable. The Cardinals (7-8) dominated the struggling Giants (2-13), and it wasn't all Fitz. The defense continued its late-season surge by coming up with the franchise's first shutout since Dec. 12, 1992, when the Cardinals blanked the – wait for it – Giants. Safety Antoine Bethea had a pair of
interceptions, and a strip-sack by linebacker Deone Bucannon turned into a 21-yard touchdown fumble return for a score by defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche.
There wasn't an offensive player who wasn't crediting the defense for the win.
But in many ways, the day was about Fitzgerald. It would've been anyway, given that he has not yet decided if he will play another season, but his performance – nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown -- demanded it.
There was no concerted effort to get Fitzgerald the ball. That's what coach Bruce Arians said, and Fitzgerald, and quarterback Drew Stanton, put back into the lineup this week in place of Blaine Gabbert.
But, Stanton acknowledged, "it was a little bit by design … and (Fitzgerald) kept getting the ball in his hands -- which isn't a bad option."
It was Fitzgerald who hauled in a 13-yard touchdown catch late in the first half, his eighth reception of the game, which finally ended the Cardinals' TD drought. The Cardinals had gone more than 11 full quarters without reaching the end zone, and their absence officially lasted 190 minutes, 34 seconds of game clock time.
Stanton would throw a second touchdown pass on the first possession of the second half, a beautiful 15-yard dart to John Brown. Stanton, who completed 20-of-34 passes for 209 yards, would throw two interceptions that ultimately meant nothing.
"We have the luxury of a good defense," Stanton said.
The Cardinals weren't quite as stingy with the yards as they have been of late, allowing 293 (still below their season average), but the unit forced the Giants to 1-for-14 on third downs and 1-for-4 on fourth downs.
"These last couple of weeks, I've been so proud of my guys, the way they've paid attention to detail," veteran defensive lineman Frostee Rucker said. "Despite the playoff hopes diminishing, they've been true
professionals."
Fitzgerald, meanwhile, only had one catch in the second half, but by then, his impact was felt.
Fitzgerald surpassed 100 receptions for a third straight season and the fifth time in his career (he has 101 in 2017). He surpassed 1,000 yards for a third straight season and the ninth time in his career (he has 1,101 this season). Fitzgerald became the oldest player in NFL history to achieve a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season.
Oh, and he completed the first pass of his career, a 21-yarder to wide receiver Jaron Brown. (Fitzgerald previously threw incomplete passes in 2013 and 2016 and was sacked on a pass play in 2004.)
"Obviously Drew and Larry have good chemistry," said Arians, who got his 49th win as Cardinals coach, tying Ken Whisenhunt for most victories in franchise history. "Congratulations to (Larry) for another milestone. I don't know if there are any milestones left."
Fitzgerald also made a concentration-heavy 19-yard catch with three Giants around him on a wobbly Stanton throw off a flea-flicker, and was cracking jokes postgame, giving grief to his father sitting in his press conference and noting with a grin that Jaron Brown – in part thanks to Fitzgerald's pass – earned a big contract incentive.
"It was a fun day," Fitzgerald said.
The Cardinals close out the season in Seattle against a Seahawks' team that needs a win to make the playoffs.
"There's our playoff game," Rucker said.
The Cards won't have many of the pieces they planned on having at the beginning of the season against their rival, but they will have a wide receiver that still tops the highlights.
Arians was asked if Fitzgerald's day was a good way to finish out his career at home – assuming, of course, it turns out Fitzgerald decides not to play in 2018.
"I'm not all into all that 'last home game' stuff," Arians said.
The coach paused, and smiled.
"But, yes," he added.
Images from the Week 16 matchup at University of Phoenix Stadium

RB Kerwynn Williams

"Merry Fitzmas"

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Chandler Jones fans

Cardinals QB Drew Stanton

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Giants DT Damon Harrison

QB Drew Stanton

Fans at the game

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Coach Bruce Arians

A fan dressed up at the game

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

Fans at the game

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

CB Patrick Peterson pregame

Singer and Cardinals fan Jordin Sparks performs the national anthem

QB Drew Stanton

Giants RB Wayne Gallman

S Antoine Bethea snags an interception

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians directs from the sideline

The Cardinals defense swarms on Giants QB Eli Manning

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians

Cardinals LB Deone Bucannon breaks up a pass intended for Giants WR Roger Lewis Jr.

Cardinals fans show their love for Larry Fitzgerald

Cardinals K Phil Dawson with the kick attempt

WR Larry Fitzgerald makes a tough catch on a flea-ficker

Cardinals DL Rodney Gunter rushes Giants QB Eli Manning

S Antoine Bethea breaks up a pass intended for Giants WR Sterling Shepard

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald with the catch

Giants QB Eli Manning

Cardinals QB Drew Stanton

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald darts across the field after the catch

Cardinals WR Jaron Brown with the reception

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians speaks with his quarterback Drew Stanton

Giants QB Eli Manning fumbles the football

Larry Fitzgerald celebrates with G Alex Boone after scoring a touchdown

Giants TE Jerell Adams makes the grab

Cardinals DL Frostee Rucker

Cardinals WR John Brown with the touchdown

Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams on the carry

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald makes the catch

QB Eli Manning with the throw

The Giants and Cardinals at the line of scrimmage

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson with the tackle

Larry Fitzgerald runs for extra yardage after the catch

Cardinals DL Robert Nkemdiche scoops up a Giants fumble

Giants RB Shane Vereen runs while Cardinals S Budda Baker tries to bring him down

Cardinals WR John Brown (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown

Cardinals DL Olsen Pierre trips up Giants QB Eli Manning

DL Robert Nkemdiche runs in a touchdown after a Giants fumble

Cardinals QB Drew Stanton under pressure

Giants RB Wayne Gallman on the carry

Cardinals DL Robert Nkemdiche scores his first career touchdown

Larry Fitzgerald (left) and Eli Manning (right) meet after the game

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (right) greets Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo (left)

Larry Fitzgerald leaves the field after the game