PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Arizona Cardinals will enjoy their new hats and T-shirts for a night. Then they’ll focus on bigger goals.
David Johnson ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns, Carson Palmer threw a TD pass and the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 40-17 on Sunday night to clinch their first NFC West title since 2009.
“(It) really isn’t out goal,” said coach Bruce Arians, who wore an “NFC West Champions” hat afterward. “There’s not a whole lot of whooping and hollering in the locker room because that’s not the final one. It’s just the beginning.”
The Cardinals (12-2) can earn a first-round bye with a victory over Green Bay next week. They still have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed if they win out and Carolina (14-0) loses its last two games.
“We want to win the Super Bowl. That’s no secret,” said Deone Bucannon, who returned Sam Bradford’s interception 39 yards for a touchdown. “This is just one step. We’re thankful for it but it’s just the first step toward the ultimate goal.”