EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Arizona Cardinals conquered their House of Horrors, thanks to an opportunistic defense and big plays by their veterans.
Arizona erased some bad memories in its last regular-season visit to Giants Stadium, forcing four turnovers and bewildering quarterback Eli Manning with its blitzes in a 24-17 victory Sunday night.
The Cardinals finished 3-15 at the Meadowlands, but this win lifted the defending NFC champions into first place in the West Division at 4-2 with their third straight win.
Kurt Warner, who was 6-2 as a starter with the Giants in 2004, threw one touchdown pass and got plenty of help from receiver Larry Fitzgerald and a staunch defense led by safety Adrian Wilson.
“Tonight,” Warner said, “we definitely fed off our defense.”
Wilson had an interception and a fumble recovery, Antrel Rolle picked off Manning to clinch it and less-heralded Cardinals Jason Wright, Tim Hightower and rookie Beanie Wells found the end zone.
The Giants (5-2) lost their second straight and were let down by, of all people, their normally solid punter. Jeff Feagles struggled, helping give the Cardinals a solid edge in field position for much of the prime-time matchup.
Feagles said he used the wrong kicking angles trying to keep the ball away from Arizona returner Steve Breaston.
Wilson, Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who left late in the third quarter because of an ankle injury (his X-rays were negative), benefited in the Arizona secondary from the confusion the team’s defense caused for Manning, who was only 19-for-37 and threw three interceptions.
“We played team defense,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “Everybody stepped up. When we had interception opportunities, we made them.”
