So what was Sunday, exactly?

Was it the scary way the Cards managed to come up with a win in Detroit? Was it, ultimately, the fact they won the game and turned it into the NFC West title by the end of the night (pictures from the flight home are right here)? A little of both, I suppose. The Lions, by the end, were using a third-string quarterback, a second-string running back and couldn’t get the ball to star wideout Calvin Johnson. Mistakes were made. Yet the Cards ended up with a victory. That wasn’t the team that took apart the Vikings on “Sunday Night Football” but it wasn’t the team that played in San Francisco either.

If it makes any frustrated fans out there feel better, there’s was enough concern lingering in the locker room to make sure the close call won’t go for naught.

“As a team, we have to know, being who we are, we’re going to get it every week,” wide receiver Steve Breaston said. “That is what we have to understand.”

“We’ve got to look at this film, look at the second half and look ourselves in the mirror,” safety Adrian Wilson said. “We’ve got some good team coming up so we can’t continue to shoot ourselves in the foot.”

With the one-win Rams coming in to University of Phoenix Stadium this week, everyone will be looking for domination. That may or may not happen, but maybe it’s something the Cards strive for as they gear up for what is now a guaranteed playoff berth.

– Wilson is thisclose to reaching the 20/20 club for career sacks and interceptions. He got to 19½ sacks Sunday when he got a half, splitting one with Clark Haggans. “I ain’t tripping off that,” Wilson said. “It’s a half. I’ll continue to work. Sooner or later, it’ll come around.”

– The Cardinals faced four third-and-1 plays Sunday. Beanie Wells lost three yards on the first, Kurt Warner was sacked for a loss of eight on the second, Wells was stuffed for no gain on the third. The fourth was a nine-yard swing pass to running back Tim Hightower. But the Cards obviously need to get better on converting those, and it was one of the reasons their offense had so many fits and starts.

– Wells was very, very good Sunday. I will now get a bunch of e-mails/blog questions/Tweets asking me if he will replace Hightower in the starting lineup. I doubt it, and the only reason I am not saying it definitely won’t happen is because you can never say never. But as I have said many times, I don’t think coach Ken Whisenhunt has any reason to upset that apple cart. Hightower started Sunday and Wells was on the field – making the Cards’ first rushing attempt of the game – on the Cards’ second play. We all can see what Beanie brings. Whether he starts, truthfully, is immaterial.

– In case anyone wasn’t sure, punter Ben Graham continues to have his unbelievably good season (and that’s with a sore groin right now). He averaged 50.3 yards on seven kicks Sunday, put three more inside the Detroit 20-yard line and can boast this stat: He hasn’t kicked a ball into the end zone since the Houston game, which was the fourth game of the season. That’s 62 straight punts without a touchback over 11 games. He has 32 punts inside the 20 in that span.

– Jeremy Bridges got another start at left tackle, and that may not change. Mike Gandy is struggling mightily with that pelvic injury – Larry Fitzgerald said last week Gandy’s guts were “falling out” – and I’m not sure Gandy is going to be able to get back out there. It makes the Bridges signing gigantic.

– Congrats to tight end Anthony Becht, who played in his 150^th straight game Sunday.

– Quarterback Kurt Warner just seemed, I don’t know, off. There were a couple chances, especially early, where Anquan Boldin was open down the field and Warner didn’t see him or didn’t look his way. There were also a couple of near misses on interceptions on which Warner was lucky they weren’t turnovers. The fumble right before halftime – on which Warner simply wasn’t given enough time – cost the Cards three points.

Then again, Warner calmly hit Fitzgerald for a 13-yard gain to start the final drive (Oh, and don’t forget the huge 39-yard kickoff return by LaRod Stephens-Howling to set the offense up). And his final pass was the perfect five-yard screen to Boldin for a touchdown (I do love that Boldin screen in the red zone). Warner’s day was kind of a microcosm of the Cards’ day – yes, it was up and down. But in the end, it was good enough.

One road trip left. Sure, it’ll be sub-freezing temps in Detroit this weekend (last I checked, 31 degrees Saturday and Sunday) but thanks to the roof of Ford Field, it won’t make a difference in the game. That suits the Cards, who could use an offensive outburst in perfect conditions.

You never take anything for granted, but the Cards have to like the matchup with a Detroit team coming off an abysmal showing against the Ravens and trying to play out the string of what has been another rough season. Covering many bad seasons here, everyone always talked about playing for your job after the chance at the postseason faded, but that’s always a tough situation. How many Lions want to stay with the Lions? You always have to wonder what you’re up against.

And while the Lions can’t be happy with how they played last week, you know the Cards aren’t. You know Kurt Warner wants to bounce back, that Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells want carries to wash away memories of fumbles, that Larry Fitzgerald – who I expect to play – is desperate to pile up some yards after getting so few last week.

Meanwhile, there’s a good chance snow is going to be dumped on the Philadelphia area. We’ll see how that affects the 49ers-Eagles game.

First, though, the Cards must beat the Lions.

– Steve Breaston, barring an upset, isn’t getting back to 1,000 yards receiving this season. Heck, he’s had just two catches the past two games (for 23 yards) and just six over the past four. He was targeted six times in San Francisco but got just one catch (one pass was deftly knocked away; another he was open and Warner just misfired out of bounds).

“Some of it hasn’t gone his way, some of it is the way it’s gone in the game,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Some of it is more run (calls). We’ve been in more two-tight end, two-back sets, which minimizes his time on the field. But I believe he will still make a few big plays for us yet this season.”

If you knew the Miracle Baby, you’d know he really doesn’t worry much about such things. He’s about as far from a diva receiver as you can get. “It’s difficult and you want the ball,” Breaston said. “You have to look at the situation. As long as you get open, people see that. Regardless of what happened last year, I am still the third receiver; we still have talented running backs. They all have to get their touches too. You can’t be impatient.”

A smile crossed his face. “When that ball comes, you need to make that play. The ball becomes more valuable to you, knowing it might not get back to you anytime soon.”

– The pass rush was a worry before the season. But the Cards have 36 sacks and are on pace for 45, which would easily be the best number the team has had since moving to Arizona (that number is 39, accomplished twice, in 1998 and 1988).

– Fitzgerald is nine yards short of 1,000 receiving yards. Anquan Boldin, with three games left, needs only 197, impressive considering how banged up he was the first half of the season. Maybe Q can repeat his 217-yard effort he had at Ford Field in his NFL debut.

– Gabe Watson is going home. He’s from Southfield, Michigan (where, among other things, he punted for his high school team – that’s right, Spongebob Squareback was a punter). It’s his first game back in Michigan since leaving the University of Michigan. He got 48 tickets for family and friends.

“I was a huge Barry Sanders fan and my dad used to take us to Lions’ training camps all the time,” Watson said. “That was the only NFL team I really knew about, so growing up, when I saw how big the guys were and knowing how big I was, I thought, ‘Shoot, I’d love to play here.’ Instead, I’m with the Cardinals.”

– The Cards’ defense has a chance at a big day. The Lions don’t have their best quarterback (Matt Stafford, bad shoulder) or their best running back (Kevin Smith, lost for the season with a knee injury). Their best receiver, Calvin Johnson, is nursing a bad knee. It’s impossible, after last week, to assume anything.

But the last time the Cards melted down with turnovers, it was against Carolina. The next week, they went on the road to the Midwest and pounded an NFC North team. That was Chicago. This is Detroit. Here’s hoping for more Warner TD passes. And some turnovers of the Cards’ very own.

Larry Fitzgerald was limited today with his sore knee and coach Ken Whisenhunt said he will be likely limited again tomorrow as the Cards try to get their Pro Bowl receiver ready to play Sunday. But make no mistake, Fitzgerald said his bone bruise and right knee sprain shouldn’t keep him out in Detroit. He wants to play and doesn’t see why he wouldn’t. The injury is similar to what Steve Breaston suffered in the preseason but not nearly as bad. There isn’t the same amount of swelling, and it looks like Fitz is simply very lucky.

The same can’t be said for safety Matt Ware, of course. He’d be out 4-to-6 weeks with his knee injury, Whisenhunt said, and that was just too long to wait. So Ware went on injured reserve. Rookie Rashad Johnson will plug into Ware’s spot, and maybe veteran Ralph Brown.

Tackle Mike Gandy (pelvis) wasn’t at practice today, getting checked out again by a doctor. That does not bode well for the week. Obviously, Jeremy Bridges would step in for Gandy. UPDATE: Reserve defensive end Kenny Iwebema has already been ruled out for the game with a bad shoulder as well. UPDATE II: The Cards have changed Iwebema’s listing, changing him from “out” to “DNP.”

So if the Cards were sitting there, lamenting for weeks the things they didn’t capitalize upon or messed up in that season-opening 20-16 loss to the 49ers, what are they going to do about Monday night’s whiff knowing they have to gnaw on it until next season?

Ugh. It’s the middle of the night on the charter flight home, and even with a few hours to consider what happened, it’s still difficult to wrap your head around this 24-9 loss. I’ll step to the front of the line asking for a mulligan; I never saw this coming and was very confident the Cards would end up winning the rematch with the Niners. I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

In the big picture, it likely means little. Sure, it could undercut the Cards if they are trying for the No. 3 seed in the NFC but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. They likely weren’t going to have a shot at the No. 2 seed anyway, and make no mistake, the Cards are still going to win the NFC West (maybe next week, when the Cards go to Detroit and the 49ers have to play in Philly).

Still, the what-could-have-been. The 49ers will celebrate their sweep, but the Cardinals will see a team that barely beat them despite major mistakes. Said running back Beanie Wells will equal parts exasperation and disgust, “Seven turnovers and they beat us by two touchdowns. We killed ourselves.”

You’d figure a team with seven turnovers would romp, but if it wasn’t for that last Beanie fumble to set up another TD, the Cards were going to have a shot to tie it, I do believe. What would that have been like (hmmm, a team overcoming major turnovers to win on Monday night … it vaguely rings a bell).

Anyway:

– Here’s a good example of the Cards’ pain: The 49ers scored touchdowns on “drives” of eight and 16 yards, and got a field goal on a “drive” of eight yards. You can’t turn the ball over, but you really can’t turn the ball over to a mediocre offense in position to get easy touchdowns.

– Kurt Warner looked like he was baited into his first interception. On that play, the 49ers had three down linemen and then only rushed two, meaning nine men had dropped into coverage. Yet Warner threw a deep pattern to Steve Breaston soon – as if there was normal pressure on the pocket – and safety Dashon Goldson simply waited back and made an easy pick. The second interception was tough, because Warner thought Anquan Boldin was going to keep going and he instead crashed into defensive back Tarell Brown. Brown could have been flagged for illegal contact, but since he was really going after the ball, he seemed exempt.

– You have to wonder if LT Mike Gandy took a step back with his pelvis injury. He came out early like he did against Tennessee, and it did look like he was having some trouble against the Niner pass rushers. Since Gandy came out, you have to assume it was the injury that was doing him in, but I guess only the coaches know for sure.

– For a grudge match against a bitter rival on national TV, there were sure a lot of empty seats at Candlestick Park.

– If safety Matt Ware is indeed out long-term, that hurts a lot. Ware had been pretty solid on defense and allowed the Cards to do so many other things with Adrian Wilson especially. And rookie Rashad Johnson just doesn’t look ready to step into that role yet.

– DL Darnell Dockett showed some incredible athleticism, not only on the play where he tipped and then made the interception, but when he batted another pass later when Alex Smith caught it himself for a six-yard loss. Dockett showed serious hops . Must be those squats of 400-plus pounds building up his leg muscles.

– The Cards did have a clunker, and as Warner said, “unfortunately we have had  a few of these around here, and that’s the most disappointing part. You keep hoping we are over these games where we are on a big high and play great and then come back and play like we did tonight. It’s disappointing but we still have a lot in front of us.”

– We finish with a little positive then. Beanie Wells was very good, all the way up until his fumble. The Cards tried to come back to Tim Hightower last week after his fumble and it worked, but I am guessing it wasn’t a coincidence that Hightower didn’t have a carry Monday after his fumble (although Beanie was running so well, Whisenhunt may have just been sticking with the hot hand). If I am the Lions next week, I’d be afraid of Beanie. Besides, Beanie always plays well in Michigan.

– Finally, a sigh of relief for the health of Larry Fitzgerald. I’m sure Fitz isn’t feeling great and there’s always a chance he sits out part of practice. But the fact he came back in Monday night is huge, because it means he didn’t blow out his knee. When you consider how terrible the night could have been had Fitz gone down for the season, seven turnovers doesn’t hurt as bad.

Although, yes, it still hurt.

I expect, since most of you are clearly from the more knowledgeable line of sports fan (after all, you’re savvy enough to be reading me right now), that you’re in the midst of some fairly heated fantasy football battles, true? Praying for 8 points from Vernon Davis, or for Kurt Warner to go out injured (but only for this game, you wouldn’t wish long-term injury on anyone), or a miracle from Steve Breaston, or for the Niners D to shut down Tim Hightower. All in the name of lording your supremacy over your friends, foes and acquaintances. That which makes the world go ’round. Well, dear readers, I fear that I do not face this conundrum… as I’ve already advanced to the next round. I believe the correct, Stuart Scott-influenced term, is BOOYAH!… if I’m using it correctly.

As for who helped me get there… well, some of this week’s Honcho Award winners, like:

- Brandon Marshall, for breaking the NFL record for receptions in a game. “Record-Breaking”, as long as it’s not followed by “ineptitude”, or “futility”, is a synonym for “Honcho Award-winning”. Yeah, I threw that out there, and it’s a heater. Now quit crowding the plate.

- Thomas Enevoldsen, for his hat trick for FC Groningen against Sparta Rotterdam. Yes, we have some fairly bizarre rules in our fantasy league, including one that allows for a soccer forward to be subsituted for any rookies that might be suffering from migraines. It’s pretty specific, and it rarely comes up, but it was certainly to my benefit this week.

- Jamel Jackson, for hanging 40 points (and hitting 12 3 pointers) for Seton Hall against VMI. OK, I’ll be honest, this one didn’t actually help my fantasy team… but it didn’t hurt it either (thankfully, my opponent, allowed to replace his recently cut kicker with an off-the-bench college basketball gunner opted for Oklahoma St.’s Keiton Page over Jackson). But seriously… 40 points? From a guy who scored 1 point in their last game? Who’d scored 47 all season? Sure, it was VMI, who likes to run run run, but 40 points is 40 points, unless it’s 50 points.

- Brian Orakpo, for his 4 sacks against the Raiders. Is there any sight greater, fellow fantasy football players, than JaMarcus Russell entering a game against your defense? Yes, yes… your wedding, the birth of your first child, whatever. I say no. And I’d say Mr. Orakpo agrees with me.

- Salvatore Sirigu, for shutting down AC Milan over the weekend in Palermo’s 2-0 win. Oddly enough, I’m allowed to substitute a Serie A goalkeeper in place of any running back from a two win team, provided that goalkeeper is on the road against one of Italy’s big three (AC Milan, Inter Milan & Juventus). I didn’t have much of a choice, as neither Inter Milan or Juventus was at home, so I can’t take all the credit for this one. But as you must be assuming, I was leaning this way anyway.

- Rudy Gay, for hanging 41 points in Memphis’ road crushing of the Heat. How did this help? Well, my opponent decided the Heat’s defense was a better play than the Eagles, a switch he’s allowed to make due to the Philly game being called by Cris Collinsworth (trust me, it comes in handy from time to time). Alas, this time, the mostly fictitious Collinsworth Curse worked against him.

- Desean Jackson, for those long touchdowns. Another of our bizarre rules is that two touchdowns over 50 yards, provided one’s off a punt return and one off a pass in the fourth quarter, is worth 543 points. We have our reasons.

- Richard Dunne, for his contribution to putting the clamps on explosive Manchester United. Villa’s win at the weekend was a team effort, I’ll give you that. But to make Wayne Rooney and that attack look so ordinary? Worthy of mention. And though center backs rarely get the recognition they deserve… when they help my team to fantasy victory, they get Honcho Awards. Simple as that. Oh, how did he help? Easy… I was allowed to piggyback Villa’s defense into my lineup, on top of my NFL defense, thanks to rule 12,456-b, which states: “to hedge against the off chance that your opponent has started a high-scoring NBA defense, a European Soccer team’s defense may be added to your lineup, provided that team is coached by Martin O’Neill”. Lucky me.

- Juan Fernandez, for helping Temple upset Villanova by pumping in 33 points on 7 three pointers. Our teams must include at least one player of Hispanic origin, and since I traded Tony Gonzalez away, I’ve been having trouble filling my quota. Worked out well for me this week.

- Jean Francois Gillet, for stone-walling Juventus in Bari’s upset victory. See, I would have gone with Gillet instead of Sirigu, except he was ineligible, as the game was in Bari. So this is one of those “look how well I could have done, every move I made or would have made turned to gold”. Just another example of my fantasy greatness.

So there you have it, this week’s “My Fantasy Football Team” themed Honchos, which is appropriate, since they’re all worthy winners, just like yours truly. I do hope to see you in next week’s semi-final round, when I just might have to substitute Turf Melody for my starting quarterback. Watch this space.

Last week, Darnell Dockett insisted he didn’t want to provide any bulletin board material for the 49ers. The Cards seemed to be careful about that, and there wasn’t much coming out of San Francisco either, until Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis decided to talk about the Cardinals’ running game.

“We’re not worried about the run,” Willis told Bay Area reporters. “We know that they’re not going to run the ball on us. They will not run the ball on us.”

OK, so it’s not exactly guaranteeing a win. But it is an interesting comment given that the Cards have run the ball much better over the last five games. In that span the Cards are averaging 135 rushing yards per game and almost five yards a carry. The Cards had 113 yards rushing (and averaged 4.5 yards a carry) against the Vikings, who had the third-best rushing defense in the league. The 49ers are fifth against the run.

Now, the 49ers have reason to be confident, seeing they held the Cards to 40 rushing yards in the teams’ first meeting. And part of Willis’ point is that the Cards have a very good passing game, one that will be much better tonight with a healthy Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston compared to the first meeting. Still, Tim Hightower is running the ball well much better than before (Hightower had just 15 yards on eight carries in the opener; he has 215 yards on just 31 carries the past three games) and Beanie Wells is improved as well. It would seem the Cards have a chance to prove Willis otherwise.

OK, we’re a day late here, but not really, since the game isn’t until Monday night and today’s Saturday’s practice was really Friday, because Friday was really Thursday and Thursday was really … well, you get the idea. I am actually heading to San Francisco early to see a friend and to check out the apparently rainy weather, although the last time I checked it the rain should pass by the time we get to the game.

The Cards don’t want any rain to mess with an offense that is going so well. Heck, even that pass to Anquan Boldin that turned into a 39-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Vikings wasn’t necessarily supposed to be so effective. Kurt Warner said originally, he though the defender was riding Boldin out of bounds and Warner thought he’d draw a pass interference flag. Instead, magic (pictured below).

“I thought, ‘I’ll throw it at his back shoulder, they are so good at that, maybe we can get a catch and if not maybe we get a PI,’ ” Warner said. “Of course Q muscles the guy and makes a great catch and throws him around puts it in the end zone. What do you say? Those are the plays you love to watch on replay and what makes Anquan so special.”

True. Coach Ken Whisenhunt called it “vintage Anquan” and it had been a while since we saw one of Q’s great catch-and-runs. He’s had a few of those against the 49ers over the years too. Maybe Boldin is the hero of a division-clincher?

– The Cards have been so good on the road this season. To be within six seconds of 6-0, and with games left at San Francisco and Detroit, there’s a real chance for 7-1. The Cards haven’t won six on the road in a season since 1963.

– One of the reasons for their success is that they are only giving up 15.2 points a game away from Glendale. I can’t expect the 49ers to wreck that average. San Francisco is still trying to figure out what kind of offense they have. TE Vernon Davis playing very well and rookie WR Michael Crabtree, I have to admit, is more effective than I thought he’d be.

– But that also means Cards killer Frank Gore is getting the ball less. He had nine carries against Seattle last week. Nine! The Niners said it was because the Seahawks were stacking against the run, but if that’s true, then expect more of the same because the Cards are worried about Gore first and everyone else second. “They are throwing the ball 75 percent of the time, which is kind of crazy because that first game, they were running the ball 75 percent of the time,” defensive end Calais Campbell said. “They did a 180.”

– On the subject of running the ball, the Cards not only are averaging 4.1 yards a carry as a team, but both Tim Hightower (4.5 yards per tote) and Beanie Wells (4.3) are above that line. Hightower in particular has a lot of doubters to where he could be an effective back, but that’s shifted.

“I know neither one of us are getting 20 carries a game, but we’re just sticking with the run as much as possible and having faith in it,” Hightower said. “At times last year, you get in that mindset as a running back, you may get it 10 or 15 times a game and you were trying to make too many big plays and you’re not working within the confines of the offense. (Now) it’s taking what’s there and trying not to get negative yards.”

– Can Warner break that record of five straight games of a passing rating of 120.0 or better? He’s been good on Monday nights and last year on MNF against San Francisco, he posted a rating of 121.9. My guess is Warner could not care less, as long as the Cards win and clinch the NFC West.

– Keeping Warner upright will be a key. The 49ers got pressure on Warner in that first game using a four-man rush much of the time. If they have to bring someone extra, Warner can usually exploit such moves.

– I don’t think you can measure the impact of having a healthy Boldin and Steve Breaston back in this game, compared to the first meeting. And that doesn’t include how much more effective Hightower and Beanie have been. I know the Cards and Niners have recently always had close games. But frankly, I don’t see the teams being that close right now. Not if the Cards play the way they can.

That’s good for now. It seems so far away to actual kickoff. But, considering how this season started – with that loss to the Niners that seems so, so, so long ago – it would be poetic to wrap up the division at Candlestick Park.

The People’s Pigskin walks into the Monday Night tussle at Lambeau Field with a sense of hope, if not exactly unbridled optimism.

The Internet’s favorite fantasy football team currently trails the D.C. Destroyers by a score of 74-63. The Destroyers have no players in tonight’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Pigskin has one player: Greg Jennings, who must score 11 fantasy points for a tie and 12 points for the win.

While we wait for the frozen cliches of Monday Night Football, it’s time to discuss the waiver wire. Jamal Lewis has been placed on injured reserve, so there’s no sense in keeping him on the roster. Therefore, we have a new poll asking you, the Internet, who should be picked up to take his spot. Here are the choices.

David Garrard. Currently 16th among quarterbacks with 134 fantasy points.

Jason Campbell. Currnelty 19th among quarterbacks with 126 fantasy points.

Julius Jones. Currently 34th among running backs with 74 fantasy points. (And apparently recovered from his lung injury, since he got 25 touches Sunday.)

Mike Bell. Currently 36th among running backs with 73 fantasy points.

Steve Breaston. Currently 35th among wide receivers with 72 fantasy points. (It’s too bad our league doesn’t credit him with return yards.)

Lee Evans. Currently 37th among wide receivers with 70 fantasy points.

This poll will close Wednesday night, so that a waiver claim can be processed in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Please vote, and enjoy the festivities from Wisconsin tonight.

Wide receiver Steve Breaston is going to be at the Tempe Marketplace Verizon Wireless store tomorrow (Tuesday) from 6-7 p.m. signing autographs. The address is 2040 E. Rio Salado Parkway Suite 130. Maybe you can ask him about his 64-yard punt return. Maybe you can just ask him about being the Miracle Baby.

Just as I sat at my kitchen table a week ago considering the rubble of the last-second loss in Tennessee changing where the Cardinals stood, a week later, a trademark victory for the season once again shifts the landscape.

The Cards’ 30-17 win – one for which the cliché “not as close as the final score indicates” was created – was so important on so many levels. The sting of the Titans’ loss is gone. The fear of other things, like Kurt Warner’s post-concussion deal or how Jeremy Bridges would hold up, that’s gone too.

Just to put this out there: I always thought the Cards would be ready for that Monday night game in San Francisco. If there is a word to describe how the Cards collectively feel about that loss to open the season, it was &*%$@$!, you know, if that was a word. “We owe those guys a little something for what they did to us earlier this year,” safety Adrian Wilson said. Uh, yeah.

But before we move on to the Niners, here are some thoughts on Sunday night:

– Warner said he pretty much knew Friday he was going to be able to play. And boy, did he play. He looked great, picking up where he left off. The only concern was the significant limp he had afterward because he took a shot on that hip. It’ll be very interesting to see how he feels this week, although the Cards don’t practice until Thursday because of the Monday night game, so he has an extra day to heal.

– Scary to see Tim Hightower fumble early. That could have been disaster. But the Cards hung in there, and Hightower almost looked like he was trying to make up for it on that late 32-yard run – the play on which Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson broke his leg – by trying to barrel into the end zone.

– I was at the Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Miami when Willis McGahee blew out his knee and when I watched the play with E.J. Henderson, that was the first thing I thought of.

– Nice to see the Cards bomb away for Larry Fitzgerald. It didn’t work out as often as Fitz would have liked, but it’s obviously something with which the Cards should stick.

– Wilson tried to downplay what the Cards did to Adrian Peterson – “Don’t mistake it. He’s the best back in football, so let’s not get too full of ourselves,” he said – but that was a great showing to control him, especially after what Chris Johnson did to them the week before. The game was close much of Sunday night, so it wasn’t like the Vikings had pass every play. At least at first.

– Brandon Keith got into his first game and actually played for a snap at guard when Deuce Lutui got hurt. Probably not enough of a sample to judge Keith as an o-lineman yet.

– The Cards averaged 4.5 yards a carry again on the ground. The evolution of the ground game may turn out to be the underlying story of the season.

– Special teams continue to be huge. Breaston’s 64-yard punt return was the highlight this time. Special teams coach Kevin Spencer should be (and is) like a proud papa.

– When Fitz fought through six Vikings to turn an eight-yard gain into a 15-yard gain early in the second quarter, that was impressive. By the way, didn’t I say the Minnesota boy was going to play a big role? Eight catches, 143 yards. It’s his 23^rd 100-yard game, a few behind Anquan Boldin (who had 98 yards at the half but couldn’t get one more catch to crack 100).

– I absolutely love Antrel Rolle as wildcat quarterback. Rolle was trying to throw deep to Breaston on his one play, but smartly pulled it down and then used his amazing scat-quicks to avoid defenders and gain nine yards on a rush.

– Alan Branch had another nice game. He’s become a force on the line, which, as a unit, has been impressive.

– Four left – at SF, at Detroit, home against the Rams, home against the Packers. 12-4 anyone? It’s possible, after the Cardinals’ greybeard outclassed the Vikings’ greybeard.

Late, late, late. You get talking with cohorts like Ron Wolfley and Paul Calvisi on the flight home and suddenly, there’s not quite enough time to do all your work and you’re writing the aftermath blog entry past midnight at the kitchen table. Certainly there’s been enough time to absorb everything. I thought for sure, once the Cards held for three downs on that final sequence near their goal line, that they’d hold for one more. Great play by Vince Young, but to give up three fourth-down plays … ouch.

So on to some thoughts:

– Obviously quarterback was the big story. Matt Leinart played above average. He didn’t do enough in the first half; he was much better in the second as his confidence clearly grew (I could see it all the way from the press box). He needs to play better, sure. Is it unfair to compare him to Kurt Warner, sure. Warner set the bar high; even if Leinart becomes a star, it’s unlikely he’d ever post the passing numbers Warner does. That’s reality.

– Warner still is doing the “day-to-day” thing. He certainly didn’t come out and declare himself ready to play against the Vikings. The week off helps but it may not be an exact parallel to Anquan Boldin taking a week and then being perfect. What’s concerning is that no tests are saying anything is wrong with Warner, so it’s a matter of when he feels right. It’s a tough way to run a team. I can’t see Leinart being ready for the 10-1 Vikings if he doesn’t get more practice time than last week.

– Leinart wore a glove in practice last week to get a better grip and then —  lookee here!  – he wore it in the game. The subject brought a smile to his face after. “I told Kurt I am doomed, because I am still young in my career and I liked it,” Leinart said, given that Warner permanently wears gloves in games. “We’ll see what happens. But I was comfortable with it.”

– It proved moot, but the Titans have to be thanking their lucky stars the Darnell Dockett sack on the last play of the half – the play where Vince Young suffered brain lock and scrambled around to waste all eight seconds instead of preserving time for a field goal – didn’t come back to kill them. Another three points would have changed so much in the fourth quarter. Props to Dockett on that play too, since Calais Campbell should have had the sack and inexplicably didn’t wrap up (he did the same thing to David Garrard earlier this season). Dockett never stopped coming, and eventually got Young.

– Dockett is playing as well as any defensive lineman in the league. Period. He has to finish strong, but right now, it’d be a crime if he wasn’t a Pro Bowler.

– Ditto on that for punter Ben Graham. Lemme get this straight: Six punts, a gross average of 49.7 yards, a net of 48, five dropped inside the 20-yard line and three of those at the 5, 2 and 1? There isn’t an NFC punter having a finer season.

– Rookies rarely get Pro Bowl nods unless they are at a glamour position, but LaRod Stephens-Howling is deserving of consideration too. He’s been great in coverage on kicks and as a gunner on punts, and now he has a 99-yard kickoff return. He may have had, as an overall showing, the greatest special-teams day I’ve ever seen. He and Graham work magic together.

– Who says Beanie can’t catch? That was a pretty nice grab of the impressive Leinart throw down the sideline. More importantly, that play got Beanie and Tim Hightower on the field together, which will cause matchup concerns for any defense.

– I heard from a couple fans about the Cards not going for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 45 in the fourth quarter (I noticed Hightower asking for the same thing at the time). I say, why? Graham pinned them deep, and at that point, the only touchdown the Cards had given up was Chris Johnson’s 85-yard run. It was the right move and, in hindsight, proved to be the right move.

– That said, the two-yard run by Beanie on third-and-1 on the TD drive may have been the hardest run I’ve ever seen for two yards.

– There were three shots by Leinart down the field I thought should have come closer to working. Twice he tried to find Steve Breaston but the lack of practice time between Breaston and Leinart showed, with Leinart looking long and Breaston cutting off his route with a defender behind him both times. There was also a bomb to Anquan Boldin in which Boldin would have had a one-on-one jump ball – except Boldin didn’t see the ball coming and slowed up, never giving himself a chance.

– Big, big, big hitting going on down there. You could tell from afar but you could really tell down on the sideline. It was intense Sunday and a nice playoff preview.

– Finally, everyone knows how important this game was to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who played college ball at Tennessee State and trained in the offseason with many Titans, including Chris Johnson, whom DRC talked to at one point Sunday (as seen in the photo below). “I holler at him whenever I can,” DRC said, apparently including game days. He almost caught Johnson on Johnson’s 85-yard run. “I didn’t think he was gonna break,” DRC said. “But then he got past ’Los (Karlos Dansby) and I’m like, ‘Here we go.’ ” (Johnson broke free, by the way, because it looked like linebacker Gerald Hayes over pursued and didn’t protect the cutback lane).

DRC played pretty well against the Titans, making a couple of pass breakups and creating the lone turnover of the day, coming from behind to force what was at the time a crucial fumble that was recovered by fellow cornerback Bryant McFadden. DRC thought he’d have bragging rights. And then he didn’t.

“That was hard,” DRC said, “because I’m going to hear about all offseason.”

An odd game in St. Louis. More late-game heart stoppage when you didn’t think there would be any. Heck, before Kurt Warner left the game – probably right about the time Beanie Wells powered over in a manly one-yard touchdown run – I wondered how much yardage Warner was going to pile up throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin before coach Ken Whisenhunt put Matt Leinart in.

Instead, Leinart had to come in.

There will be plenty of people breaking down Leinart’s time in the game. It didn’t make you forget the starter was out with a possible concussion,  but it wasn’t the disaster some will inevitably make it out to be. Under different circumstances, for instance, Whisenhunt might have let Neil Rackers try a 51-yard field goal – in a dome, remember – on the first drive of the second half. Leinart took the Cards from their own 15 to the cusp of field-goal range before Whisenhunt stayed conservative and punted.

It makes sense. The Rams had done nothing offensively and there was little reason, with an 18-point lead, to give them life with good field position (and indeed, punter Ben Graham pinned the Rams at their own 2). But maybe points there changes how Leinart’s day went, especially since the next possession was the one where the Cards couldn’t convert on third-and-1.

Anyway, on to other thoughts in the wake of the win:

– The running game has been tremendous. The Cards have 487 rushing yards the past three games, an average of 162.3 per game. The first seven games of the season, the Cards totaled 454 rushing yards, an average of 64.8. Their overall ranking will still be low, but it’s clear the Cards are a better running team than that ranking.

– Rookie linebacker Will Davis – who got his second sack Sunday — might be a find as a sixth-round pick. With Chike Okeafor out, the Cards have needed Davis, and seems to have surpassed veteran Bertrand Berry for playing time in some key spots.

– The Cardinals used running back Jason Wright as a fullback on one play Sunday. You have to give Whisenhunt props in his ability to shuffle his personnel and use them in different ways. RB Tim Hightower spent some time split wide too.

– Quietly, Anquan Boldin had another big game. It got lost in the running exploits of Hightower and Beanie Wells and the injury to Kurt Warner, but he’s back to playing at a Pro Bowl level. If he can just stay healthy, it’s going to be a bi.. err, very difficult to defend the Cards.

– Wide receiver Steve Breaston was shut out of making a catch for the first time since playing in Washington the third game of last season. Breaston doesn’t really care about such things, but it does hurt him in his quest to get to the 75-reception mark. Then again, if anyone noticed, not only is Fitz on pace for Pro Bowl numbers but Boldin’s pace (85 receptions, 1,020 yards) is getting back there too.

– Leinart acknowledged he had a little problem with high throws. Whisenhunt said it’s partially because Leinart just hasn’t gotten enough playing time. It is an issue Leinart has worked with a lot with quarterbacks coach Chris Miller. “It’s been my little problem this season and I have been working hard to fix stuff on my release,” Leinart said. “I know when I throw a high pass, I know exactly why so I have to correct those things and that’s what I try to (fix) during the week.”

– With Bryant McFadden out with a knee injury, the Rams did their best to pick on 5-foot-8 backup Michael Adams. But there was one play where anyone could see why the Cards like Adams. The Rams ran a pitch wide left for 235-pound Steven Jackson. The only man in his way was Adams, all 181 pounds of him. Adams came up and stuck Jackson with a textbook tackle at the knees. One yard gain. It’s all about angles.

– Safety Adrian Wilson didn’t get his 20^th sack, but he did get his 21^st interception (Didn’t seem like Wilson was given many shots to rush the QB in St. Louis). That’ll have to be good enough for this week. Wonder if he can chase down the elusive Vince Young.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt was asked Friday about the existence of “dog days” in an NFL season. Whisenhunt didn’t hesitate in saying that’s exactly where the Cards are right now.

“No question about it,” he said. “It’s really a battle of attrition right now.”

That’s true, with guys banged up and sitting out some time and, let’s face it, no breaks coming. The bye came so early the Cards will end up playing 13 straight weeks and – barring a meltdown at the top of the NFC – won’t get any off time in the playoffs unless they get to the Super Bowl (*crosses fingers*).

For the players, though, there is enough emotion on the weekend to carry them through.

“You really have to muster it up during the week because it’s hard and nobody likes to practice,” Whisenhunt said. “But the excitement of game day – that’s what gets you going. There is nothing like Sundays.”

OK, so this is only Friday. But we’re going to muster up some energy to get through this last blog post before we get to the Edward Jones Dome in less than 48 hours.

– Getting MLB Gerald Hayes back before a game against Steven Jackson would seem fortuitous. The Cardinals will have a huge upper hand if they can just control Jackson and not let him control the clock. The Rams shouldn’t have the ability to slow the Cards’ offense and I don’t think the Rams will be able to pass much on the Cards given their offensive line issues. This will be about making sure Jackson doesn’t keep the Rams in the game.

– Speaking of Hayes, he was asked if he’d rather face a back who would rather run over him or was fast enough to run around him on the end (knowing, of course, Jackson can probably do both). Hayes laughed. “Speed kills,” he said. “I’d rather it’d be somebody who could run through me, because he’s not going to get far.”   

– CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was off the injury list this week for the first time since fracturing his finger. So does that mean he’s not going to wear the cast in the game anymore? “Yes sir,” he said. And does it mean the finger is totally healed? “No sir.” Having two hands for an interception would be nice for DRC, who is in the running for the Pro Bowl.

– Speaking of which, FS Antrel Rolle feasts on Rams passes the last couple of seasons and he’s playing well in coverage. Can he grab another?

– The Cards were only the fifth team in NFL history to have three players with 75 catches last season (Fitz, Q, Breaston). They are on pace to be the only team to ever do it twice if three guys keep it up: Fitz, Q and Tim Hightower. And if Breaston, who is just off that pace, can do it too, the Cards would be the first team ever with four guys with 75 receptions in a season.

– Oh, and the QB for three of the five thus far? Kurt Warner.

– Here’s one measurement on how the Cardinals are playing right now: “I think last week was the least amount of mental errors we have had as a team,” Boldin said.

– The Cards have averaged 35 points a game in their last four trips to St. Louis: 38, 34, 34, 34.

– Then again, Whisenhunt isn’t assuming past performance equals future results. He’d like to believe they are ready – he told the team Friday this game is a business trip – but again, you never know. “You always worry about that. We are a long way from being that mature team you count on showing up every week and playing the game you are supposed to play. But we have made great strides in that direction.”

– Here’s why I don’t worry about this weekend (I know, I know, famous last words): Kurt Warner. Given his weapons and the level at which the offense suddenly is playing (a killer run game!), he won’t have a bad game against the Rams. He just won’t. Will he go for five TDs like Chicago? Maybe not. Will he throw for 340 like Seattle? Maybe not. But he will play well and the Cardinals will take care of things. Warner insists the Rams game doesn’t mean as much to him anymore, but sorry, I just don’t see it.

The Cardinals only had one player sit out today’s practice — LB Chike Okeafor (back) — and the majority of the long list on the injury report were back to practicing full Thursday. The only players limited were CB Michael Adams (hamstring), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle), WR Steve Breaston (knee), LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder) and T Mike Gandy (pelvis). Like I mentioned yesterday, I expect most players to be ready Sunday — in fact, my early guess will be that only Okeafor will be unavailable.

Linebacker Gerald Hayes (back) returned to the practice field today on a limited basis, as the Cards had a laundry list of guys sitting at least part of the time. LB Chike Okeafor (back), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle) and CB Michael Adams (hamstring) all sat out, while G Deuce Lutui did not practice for a non-injury reason. Besides Hayes, a ton of guys were limited: LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), S Adrian Wilson (groin), T Mike Gandy (pelvis), WR Sean Morey (concussion), DE Kenny Iwebema (knee), TE Ben Patrick (knee) and WR Steve Breaston (knee).

I am guessing this is a “this time of year” day. By the end of the week, my thoughts would be most will be OK enough to play in St. Louis.

Yes, I heard you. I heard from the upset people right about the time the Cardinals fell behind, 14-0, Sunday at home to Seattle. So did the Cardinals, who heard some of the boos about that time. “It was a tough crowd, but I understand because the way we played the last couple games and the way we started off,” defensive end Calais Campbell said. “But we responded to them too.”

That was the ultimate message of Sunday, I think. I said during my pregame radio show that I thought the Cardinals should win by two scores and, given the 31-20 final, that’s what happened. Was it the way the Cardinals wanted it to go? No. There were too many penalties and the slow start could have killed them.

But there when it was over, how do you quibble? I wasn’t sure Kurt Warner, after overthrowing Early Doucet on his first pass and making a poor decision on the incompletion-that-was-an-interception-before-it-was-overturned, was going to have a good game. I was right. He had a great game, completing 29-of-38 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cards had 122 yards rushing. The defense had four sacks and two interceptions and, for all the yards the Seahawks piled up, gave up just two field goals after that gulp-inducing 14-0 start.

Asked if he was worried, safety Adrian Wilson responded, “Were you worried?” It doesn’t matter what a reporter thinks though, A-Dub, only you guys. “I was concerned,” he said. “Wasn’t worried. It was some early adversity.”

Wilson wouldn’t talk about what was said at halftime, but it’s clear there were some words (like the heated ones he and Darnell Dockett traded in front of TV cameras early in the game). The Cards had started the comeback by then, however – thank goodness.

As for my other late Sunday night thoughts:

– It’ll get lost in post-game talk, but the Cards drive for a touchdown right after Seattle scored to go up 14-0 may be one of the most important of the season. There was still plenty of time left, but that drive – which ended with a 28-yard TD pass to Steve Breaston – may have saved the game. The confidence came back, not only to the offense but to the crowd.

– I don’t know the exact stats of anyone else, but Ben Graham has got to get serious consideration for the Pro Bowl. He’s been that good and he’s better than that when it comes to pinning teams deep.

– Eight TD catches for Larry Fitzgerald. Quietly, he’s tops in the NFL tied with Indy’s Reggie Wayne for the most in that category.

– Ali Highsmith is very good on special teams. But with Gerald Hayes out with back problems, Highsmith looked like he struggled Sunday while the Seahawks ran early and often. That’s less about Highsmith and more about how important Hayes has become.

– Wilson is now one sack shy of becoming a member of the 20-20 club, after getting his 20^th career interception Sunday. Wilson was admittedly fooled a bit but he made a great diving pick on a shovel pass.

– The Cardinals were able to run the ball again. That’s not all Beanie, but he definitely helps. His second touchdown run was a thing of beauty (and the awesome hole-clearing blocks by TE Stephen Spach and T Mike Gandy can’t be overlooked).

– Coach Ken Whisenhunt promised the Seahawks would change up offensively, after the Cards held them to 128 total yards in Seattle. Maybe you don’t expect to give up 472 yards, but we’ve said this before – mistakes are a lot easier to fix after a win.

– Now that was the Anquan that’s been missing since the hamstring and ankle injuries. He’s a difference-maker when healthy.

FIRST QUARTER
- Raiders (RB)Justin Fargas rushes for TD
- Chargers (QB)Philip Rivers passes to (FB)Mike Tolbert for TD
- Chiefs (K)Ryan Succop kicks 50 Yd. Field Goal
- Raiders (K)Sebastian Janikowski kicks 50 Yd. Field Goal
- Seahawks (RB)Justin Forsett rushes for TD

SECOND QUARTER
- Chargers (RB)LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for TD
- Chiefs (RB)Jamaal Charles rushes for TD
- Seahawks (QB)Matt Hasselbeck passes to (TE)John Carlson for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (WR)Steve Breaston for TD

THIRD QUARTER
- Chargers (RB)LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for TD
- Cardinals (RB)Chris Wells rushes for TD
- Chargers (QB)Philip Rivers passes to (WR)Legedu Naanee for TD

FOURTH QUARTER
- Eagles (QB)Donovan McNabb passes to (WR)Jeremy Maclin for TD
- Packers (QB)Aaron Rodgers rushes for TD
- Packers (QB)Aaron Rodgers passes to (TE)Spencer Havner for TD
- Cardinals (RB)Chris Wells rushes for TD
- Eagles (QB)Donovan McNabb passes to (TE)Brent Celek for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (WR)Larry Fitzgerald for TD
- Cowboys (QB)Tony Romo passes to (WR)Roy Williams for TD

FIRST QUARTER
- Packers (QB)Aaron Rodgers passes to (WR)James Jones for TD
- Falcons (QB)Matt Ryan passes to (TE)Tony Gonzalez for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (WR)Larry Fitzgerald for TD
- Bengals (QB)Carson Palmer passes to (WR)Andre Caldwell for TD
- Buccaneers (QB)Josh Freeman passes to (RB)Derrick Ward for TD
- Bears (QB)Jay Cutler passes to (TE)Greg Olsen for TD
- Colts (QB)Peyton Manning passes to (RB)Joseph Addai for TD
- Jaguars (RB)Rashad Jennings rushes for TD
- Patriots (RB)Laurence Maroney rushes for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (TE)Ben Patrick for TD
- Buccaneers (QB)Josh Freeman passes to (WR)Sammie Stroughter for a TD
- Falcons(D/ST) Falcons (CB)Tye Hill 62 Yard Interception Return for TD
- Packers (RB)Ryan Grant rushes for TD
- Bengals (RB)Cedric Benson rushes for TD

SECOND QUARTER
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (WR)Larry Fitzgerald for TD
- Buccaneers(D/ST) Buccaneers (CB)Ronde Barber 31 Yard Blocked Punt Return for TD
- Packers (QB)Aaron Rodgers passes to (WR)Donald Driver for TD
- Falcons (RB)Michael Turner rushes for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (TE)Anthony Becht for TD
- Dolphins (RB)Ricky Williams rushes for a TD
- Jaguars (QB)David Garrard passes to (WR)Mike Sims-Walker for TD

THIRD QUARTER
- Redskins (RB)Ladell Betts rushes for TD
- Texans (QB)Matt Schaub passes to (RB)Ryan Moats for TD
- Dolphins (RB)Ronnie Brown passes to (TE)Joey Haynos for TD
- Patriots (QB)Tom Brady passes to (WR)Randy Moss for TD
- Patriots (QB)Tom Brady passes to (WR)Randy Moss for 2 Point Conversion

FOURTH QUARTER
- Redskins (QB)Jason Campbell passes to (TE)Todd Yoder for TD
- Bears (QB)Jay Cutler passes to (TE)Greg Olsen for TD
- Texans (RB)Steve Slaton rushes for TD
- Falcons (RB)Michael Turner rushes for TD
- Ravens (RB)Ray Rice rushes for TD
- Bears (QB)Jay Cutler passes to (TE)Greg Olsen for TD
- Packers (QB)Aaron Rodgers rushes for a TD
- Jaguars (RB)Maurice Jones-Drew rushes for TD
- Buccaneers (QB)Josh Freeman passes to (TE)Kellen Winslow for TD
- Colts (RB)Joseph Addai rushes for TD
- Cardinals (QB)Kurt Warner passes to (WR)Steve Breaston for TD
- Chiefs (QB)Matt Cassel passes to (WR)Chris Chambers for a TD
- Chiefs (QB)Matt Cassel passes to (WR)Chris Chambers for a TD
- Buccaneers(D/ST) Buccaneers (S)Tanard Jackson 35 Yard Interception Return for TD

In what really probably shouldn’t be a surprise, WR Anquan Boldin was back practicing today and looked pretty good on his injured ankle. As usual, coach Ken Whisenhunt said Boldin’s status for the game will be determined on Sunday, but it certainly doesn’t look like Boldin had any major setback when he re-tweaked the ankle injury last week and I think there’s a good chance he plays Sunday.

The Cards, once again, look fairly healthy. There will be a handful of banged-up guys, like LB Gerald Hayes (back), S Antrel Rolle (foot) and WR Steve Breaston (knee) but in the end, I think the Cards will be at full strength against the Bears. Rolle and Breaston are even officially probable. CB Michael Adams (hamstring) was added to the injury report Friday and was limited.

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to look at several different positions (I can’t yet promise all) to identify the best players wearing each jersey number at each position. If this goes as planned, we’ll then compile a list of the best player wearing each jersey number in the league.

If you have quibbles, or want to add someone I forgot, leave a comment and we’ll update this post. And please have patience – this is a big job.

We’ll start in this post with the best wide receivers at each jersey number. In general, wideouts are allowed to wear numbers between 10 and 19 as well as between 80 and 89.

10 – Santonio Holmes, Steelers – We’ll go with Holmes, the defending Super Bowl MVP, in this category, but it’s a close decision over DeSean Jackson of the Eagles. Both are significant starters for their teams and emerging stars in the league. Other notable 10: Jabar Gaffney, Broncos

11 – Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – Fitzgerald is one of the very best receivers in the league, and so he gets the nod as the premier wideout wearing No. 11. He became a superstar in last year’s playoffs, doing what he had done in relative obscurity earlier in his career in Arizona. Fitzgerald is the real deal. Other notable 11s: Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars; Mohammed Massaquoi, Browns; Roy Williams, Cowboys; Laveranues Coles, Bengals; Julian Edelman, Patriots; Legedu Naanee, Chargers; Roscoe Parrish, Bills; Stefan Logan, Steelers

12 – Marques Colston, Saints – Colston is the premier receiver on the league’s most potent offense, and now that he’s healthy he’s showing incredible skills for his size. That gives him the nod over Steve Smith of the Giants as the best No. 12 wideout in the league. Both Colston and Smith may have to move over for Minnesota rookie Percy Harvin at some point in the future. Other notable 12s: Michael Jenkins, Falcons; Justin Gage, Titans; Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders; Quan Cosby, Bengals

13 – Johnny Knox, Bears – Knox is the only notable receiver wearing No. 13 this year. The rookie out of Abilene Christian has had a nice freshman season in the NFL with three receiving TDs and a return for a score. Maybe he’ll make 13 a trendier, if not luckier, number for wideouts.

14 – Brandon Stokley, Broncos – Like 13, 14 isn’t a popular number for receivers. Stokley, who had good seasons with the Colts and the most memorable touchdown of the season off a tip in the opener against the Bengals, is the best of the bunch over St. Louis prospect Keenan Burton. Other notable 14: Eric Weems, Falcons

15 – Brandon Marshall, Broncos – Marshall’s numbers aren’t quite as good this season as fellow 15 Steve Breaston of Arizona, but Marshall is the more dynamic and more important player than Arizona’s talented third receiver. Marshall has the talent to be one of the league’s top-5 overall receivers. Other notable 15s: Kelley Washington, Ravens; Chris Henry, Bengals; Davone Bess, Dolphins; Michael Crabtree, 49ers; Courtney Roby, Saints

16 – Josh Cribbs, Browns - Lance Moore of the Saints is the only notable pure wide receiver wearing No. 16 right now, but Cribbs, Cleveland’s do-everything guy, plays enough receiver and has a receiver number, so he counts here. Cribbs catches the ball, returns kicks, and plays under center in the wildcat. He may be the league’s best return man, and he’s growing as an offensive force. Moore had a strong season as New Orleans’ slot receiver last year, but injuries have hampered his production this year. Other notable 16: Danny Amendola, Rams

17 – Braylon Edwards, Jets – Edwards had fallen out of favor in Cleveland last year and this season, and his numbers reflected that diminished importance, but he’s now in New York and gaining steam. So we’ll list him as the top 17 over rookies Mike Wallace of Pittsburgh and Austin Collie of Indianapolis. Other notable 17s: Donnie Avery, Rams; Robert Meachem, Saints

18 – Sidney Rice, Vikings – Rice is emerging as the Vikings’ most reliable receiver, and he has become one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets. His good size and exceptional ball skills and leaping ability are finally starting to shine through now that he’s in his third season. He beats a crop of rookies to earn the honor as the best receiver wearing 18. Other notable 18s: Kenny Britt, Titans; Jeremy Maclin, Eagles; Louis Murphy, Raiders; Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers

19 - Miles Austin, Cowboys – Austin has come out of nowhere over the past three games to establish himself as an explosive threat and the Cowboys’ best receiver. Even with the return heroics of Miami’s Ted Ginn Jr. and Denver’s Eddie Royal this year, Austin is the best 19. Other notable 19: Devery Henderson, Saints

23 – Devin Hester, Bears – Because Hester came into the NFL as a defensive back, he’s been allowed to keep his old DB number of 23 even though he’s now a wide receiver. The fact that he’s Chicago’s No. 1 outside target makes this a legitimate listing for a bit of a funky number for a receiver.

80 – Andre Johnson, Texans – If you made me pick one receiver as the best in the league, this is the guy. He has freakish size, incredible speed, and great production throughout his career. The only pockmark on his resume is the fact that he’s been dinged up from time to time. So he gets an easy decision here over Donald Driver of Green Bay as the best receiver wearing 80. Other notable 80s: Earl Bennett, Bears; Malcom Floyd, Chargers; Bryant Johnson, Lions; Bobby Wade, Chiefs; Marty Booker, Falcons; Mike Thomas, Jaguars

81 – Randy Moss, Patriots – Moss is already an all-time great, and he’s still performing at a premium level for the Pats. This is an easy call, even though  current great Anquan Boldin of Arizona, past greats Torry Holt of the Jaguars and Terrell Owens of the Bills, and future great Calvin Johnson of Detroit also wear 81. This number has great depth of talent. Other notable 81: Nate Burleson, Seahawks

82 – Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs – As deep as 81 is in talent, 82 is thin. We’ll give the nod to Bowe over the Giants’ Mario Manningham because Bowe has had more good seasons, even though Manningham has been more impactful this year. Other notable 82s: Antwaan Randle El, Redskins; Brian Hartline, Dolphins

83 – Wes Welker, Patriots – Welker, who piles up gobs of catches as the jitterbug/security blanket of the Patriots offense, narrowly gets this nod over Vincent Jackson of San Diego, who has joined the list of the league’s 10 best receivers. Lee Evans of Buffalo doesn’t have equivalent numbers because his quarterbacks have stunk for years, but he’s no slouch either. Other notable 83s: Kevin Walter, Texans; Deion Branch, Seahawks; Sinorice Moss, Giants

84 – Roddy White, Falcons – White has emerged as one of the top receivers in the league over the past three years, and he looks like he’ll team with Matt Ryan for a long time as Atlanta’s dynamic duo. We’ll take the ascending White over the descending T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who has had a great career in Cincinnati but is starting to show signs of slippage in his first season in Seattle. Other notable 84s: Patrick Crayton, Cowboys; Josh Morgan, 49ers; Bobby Engram, Chiefs; Javon Walker, Raiders

85 – Chad Ochocinco, Bengals – We have to give this jersey-number to Ochocinco, since he changed his name to be his jersey number in Spanish (kind of). But Ochocinco deserves it given the renaissance year he is having with the Bengals. Derrick Mason of the Ravens contended for the honor based on his long career, while Greg Jennings of the Packers could claim this honor in the future. Other notable 85s: Pierre Garcon, Colts; Jerheme Urban, Cardinals

86 - Hines Ward, Steelers – There aren’t a lot of great receivers wearing 86, but there is one – Ward. The former Super Bowl MVP isn’t just great at catching the ball; he’s a vicious blocker downfield as well. He’s a borderline Hall of Famer who is still building his resume. Other notable 86s: Dennis Northcutt, Lions; Brian Finneran, Falcons

87 – Reggie Wayne, Colts – Wayne has seamlessly taken over for Marvin Harrison as Peyton Manning’s premier target in Indy, and now Wayne is building his own case for the Hall of Fame. There aren’t five receivers in the league who are better or more explosive than Wayne. Other notable 87s: Bernard Berrian, Vikings; Andre Caldwell, Bengals; Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers; Mike Furrey, Browns; David Clowney, Jets; Jordy Nelson, Packers; Domenik Hixon, Giants

88 – Isaac Bruce, 49ers – Bruce is no longer the dynamic force he was for years in St. Louis, but he’s good enough to claim this number as his lifetime achievement award. Rookie Hakeem Nicks of the Giants is the only other significant 88 as a receiver, but he looks as though he will be a good one. Other notable 88: Chansi Stuckey, Browns

89 – Steve Smith, Panthers – Smith hasn’t had the season this year that he’s had in the past, and he’s even felt at times that he wasn’t an asset to his team, but those problems have more to do with the struggles of Carolina QB Jake Delhomme than with Smith’s own shortcomings. Smith is just 5-foot-9, but he’s lightning quick, built like a brick house, tough to bring down, and shockingly good on jump balls. He’s still an elite receiver. Other notable 89s: Santana Moss, Redskins; Jerricho Cotchery, Jets; Mark Clayton, Ravens; Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers; James Jones, Packers