I am experiencing a rare feeling after an Arizona loss—I am in a great mood. I know, I know, it doesn’t make any sense. I just watched my team, whom I lost my voice for while cheering them on today, lose on a two-minute, 99-yard drive by the Titans that will instantly become a part of Vince Young’s legacy. So how is that I am not absolutely crushed by this defeat?

It’s simple. Arizona played a fantastic game today. So did Tennessee.

In a game neither team deserved to lose, Young guided Tennessee masterfully down the entire length of the field in 18 plays and 2:37 to win by 3 points on the final play of the contest. I am a Cardinals fan, but I am a football fan too, and it doesn’t get any better than this.

I am so accustomed to hearing teams like the Ravens, the Steelers and yes the Titans, get all the respect for being smash-mouth teams, black and blue teams. I am happy even after a loss because Arizona brought it. They matched the intensity and toughness of the Titans all game and all over the field. They were every bit as physical if not more so.

I am happy because Matt Leinart did in fact prove me wrong, as I pleaded for him to do. It is one of those moments when I am ecstatic to be flat out wrong. Leinart proved a lot to all of the doubters out there like me. In the first half, Leinart struggled a bit and was only able to guide the Cardinals to 3 points, at which point I was chanting to myself ‘I told you so’. The second half was a totally different story, as his accuracy was awesome. Once he warmed up, he played with savvy and confidence in the pocket, made several beautiful throws and marched the Cardinals down the field.

What Leinart proved is that if Warner goes down, he can handle the job. He may not step in and guide them to quite as many points, but after he warms up who knows? Maybe he can. For Cardinals Nation, that is a big sigh of relief.

I am also happy that despite the game winning drive they allowed, the Defense stepped up. Tennessee had allowed only 7 sacks all season, and the Cardinals notched 4. They contained VY’s deadly running completely, and held the most prolific runner in the game, Chris Johnson, to 69 yards if you throw out his one 85-yard TD run. CJ does that to every team though remember? He is on pace to gain the most rushing yards in a single season, so I am not going to hang my head about that.

I am happy because so many players made huge plays. If we had won the game, I would have said this was a character win. Well I am not going to let the loss get in the way of handing out these well-deserved game balls:

Matt Leinart- For stepping in for the best road QB in the league this year (Kurt Warner leads the league in passer rating on the road), and for playing with poise and confidence. He was a leader today and did his part to deserve a win. Well done Matt, and thanks so much for proving me wrong!

Darnell Dockett- Had 3 sacks, Dockett was an uncontainable monster today. In big games, big time players make big time plays. Again, this was against the team that had allowed the fewest sacks in the league this season.

DRC- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had at least 3 huge pass deflections, caused the fumble that gave the ball back to the Cardinals clutching a 4-point lead with only minutes remaining, was never burnt in coverage and again showed he is one of the better open field tacklers on the squad.

Antrel Rolle and Michael Adams- These guys get a mention for their devastating hits. It set the tone for our team that we weren’t about to back down to a trash talking team that tried to intimidate us. Well guess what? They couldn’t do it.

LSH- Larod Stephens-Howling might have shined more brightly than anyone. After Chris Johnson’s 85-yard TD run put Tennessee up by 10, on the very next play LSH took the kickoff 99 yards to the house to cut the lead back down to a manageable 3. Not to mention he downed two punts inside the 2-yard line, and also put a viscious hit on a return man.

Ben Patrick- The one catch he made was on a crucial third down with the Cardinals with their backs to their own end zone. He kept the drive alive with an athletic 23-yard reception.

Bryant McFadden- Broke up a potential TD-catch in the end zone. He should have intercepted the pass, but in fairness the receiver clearly interfered with him but it was not called.

Tim Hightower- Ran hard, averaged 5 yards per carry, scored a TD, and displayed his smash-mouth style by making Titans defenders pay for coming into contact with him. He accounted for 78 total yards on 14 touches.

Beanie Wells- Did not wow or break off the long runs today, but converted an important 3rd and 1 with hard-nosed straight ahead power to the gut.

Karlos Dansby- Did one heck of a job in run coverage. Yeah thats right, run coverage. That’s what you call it when you are playing against Chris Johnson.

Anquan Boldin- Made several highlight reel catches.

Calais Campbell- Registered half a sack and had a key deflection at the line of scrimmage.

Ben Graham- Continued his Pro Bowl caliber punting. Our ‘Big Ben’ had 5 of his 6 punts downed inside the 20, with a long of 64 yards and an average of nearly 50 per punt. Ben Graham is one of the quietest special teams MVP candidates in the league in my opinion.

So there is is Arizona Nation, weep if you must but don’t be discouraged. This was one of the gutsiest and best all around games we have played this season. Sure, in a loss. But next week we get one of the best teams in the NFL coming to our house. Maybe, just maybe, this game can serve as a springboard to get us motivated to play this violently again. Except this time, we’ll win. Believe it. I do.