GLENDALE, Ariz. — Wide receiver Anquan Boldin played in the NFC title game Sunday and caught two passes on the Cardinals’ opening drive. He was inactive for Arizona’s win against Carolina last week after injuring his hamstring in the first week of the playoffs against Atlanta.
Boldin finished Sunday’s game with four catches for 34 yards. He was caught by TV cameras arguing with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
Boldin sprinted off the field after the game and did not participate in the on-field celebration with his teammates.
New go-to guy.
Tight end Brent Celek caught a season- high 10 passes from Donovan McNabb — including Philadelphia’s first two touchdowns, both in the third quarter. Celek had only two previous TDs in his career.
“I honestly do not care about the stats at all. I just wanted to win,” he said.
Kicking himself.
Veteran kicker David Akers had been perfect in the Eagles’ first two playoff games, making four kicks against Minnesota and three against New York.
But he missed from 47 yards in the second quarter Sunday and later missed an extra point.
“I feel like I let my teammates down,” Akers said.
Roof closed.
Despite a clear sky and temperatures in the mid-70s, the Cardinals opted to keep the retractable roof at University of Phoenix Stadium closed. Noise inside the stadium is loudest when the roof is closed.
“A lot of people underestimate our home-field advantage,” Arizona safety Adrian Wilson said.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
