FIRST QUARTER
At home in dome
The domed University of Phoenix Stadium truly is the friendly confines for the Arizona Cardinals. After two straight losses on the East Coast, the Cardinals quickly got back in their comfort zone by dominating the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills.
The Cards are just 8-35 on the road since 2003. But they entered the game with nine wins in their last 12 games inside their dome.
Arizona’s fast start included a blitz that knocked out Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, a touchdown catch by Larry Fitzgerald and a ball possession edge of 8:26 to 6:34.
Key moves: Cards left end Antonio Smith burst through the middle of the Bills line to force a fumble on a handoff from J. P. Losman to Marshawn Lynch to set up the Cards’ first score. Smith charged so fast, Lynch never got a grip on the ball. Arizona won the opening coin toss and elected to defer its decision until the second half.
Game effort: Cards safety Adrian Wilson had not played or practiced for 10 days before Sunday but started and made the big sack on Edwards.
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