The Badger was active.
He made a huge interception at the most crucial of times — on a drive where it looked like the Jaguars had stolen momentum and were on their way for a game-winning field goal. But Tyrann Mathieu read the play perfectly and got the pick. That's two this season, and while you'd hope for more, you can't argue that the two could have come at better times.
The plays were there Sunday. Blaine Gabbert was pretty good again. You see what he can do when his legs are needed (although, as Bruce Arians pointed out, there are times when that can cause an issue too, because the fumble was a play that need not have happened.) Another touchdown pass to rookie Ricky Seals-Jones, and a run game too.
Defensively, Chandler Jones had two sacks and five tackles for loss and deserves consideration for all-pro. I don't know if he'll get any given the Cards' record, but he has earned it thus far. The run game stops are what impressed me the most Sunday.
Next week will be interesting. The Rams come to town, playing so well, and the Cards are anxious to play them again after the London wax job. Jacksonville is a good team with a very good defense. That's what this three-game homestand — good opponents — is about.
-- Calais Campbell returned a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown, but otherwise was held in check. Gabbert spun away from a potential sack or two. But the Cards didn't let their former star beat them, all the while welcoming him back. It was good to see the big guy.
"The Birdgang showed a lot of love to me and that felt pretty good," Campbell said. "Definitely have me chills down my back. My old teammates on the Cardinals, talking to those guys and getting all the love before the game and during the game and even after. The coaching staff, I have a lot of friends in that building, so that was fun. I really wanted to get this win so it definitely hurts right now."
-- By the way, that's two straight games in which Campbell has returned a fumble for a touchdown when playing at University of Phoenix Stadium. His final game here as a Cardinal was against New Orleans last season, when he scooped up a loose ball and rumbled 53 yards for a score. Campbell's team has lost both games.
-- A few weeks ago, I'm guessing not many thought Phil Dawson would be booting a 57-yard field goal to win a game. That would've been good from 62- or 63-yards, I'm thinking.
-- D.J. Foster gets a spectacular 12-yard toe-catch to set up the field goal, and also had a very nice kickoff return. It was called back on a penalty, but you can see where he excels there. He's got a chance to make an impact, especially with T.J. Logan still hurt. It's a great story too, since he went to Scottsdale Saguaro High School and ASU.
"It's pretty incredible, kind of a surreal moment to get out there on that field and represent Arizona," Foster said.
-- Mathieu talked this week about getting a chance to face friend Leonard Fournette on the field for their first time after the two came from the same neighborhood yet never played together. Mathieu did his job one specific time, tracking down Fournette on a screen pass and dropping Fournette for a loss of five.
"It's a tough challenge, especially being 190 pounds and running a 4.5 and he's 230 and runs a 4.4, so the advantage is on his side," Mathieu said. "There was actually one play, he ran through the hole and then Budda (Baker) came flying in, so kudos to Budda. I was just waiting on (Fournette) and just trying to get in front of him but Budda made a great play. I might take him out to dinner after this."
Mathieu smiled. It was a good day.
-- There was a scuffle post-game between Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham and Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson, with some swings. It looked heated, but it was calmed quickly and as soon as it was over, Gresham was shaking hands with other Jaguars personnel. I didn't get a chance to talk to Gresham. Jackson simply said "it was a misunderstanding." Cardinals guard Alex Boone was there too, looking like he was trying to help end things. Asked about the emotions after a win like the Cards had, Boone said "I mean, I think they're kind of high."
-- It was a quiet, workmanlike performance from running back Adrian Peterson, but those 79 yards on 20 carries were so important. The Cardinals gained 108 yards on the ground, which is the only way they are going to have a chance to win games.
-- Fitz and Campbell swapped jerseys. As did Fournette and Mathieu, and Patrick Peterson and Jalen Ramsey. Lots of mutual respect there.