Rackers’ field goal gives Cardinals early 3-0 lead over Colts

Arizona dominates field position, up 3-0 after 1st

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals dominated field position and took advantage of an Indianapolis penalty to take a 3-0 lead over the Colts after the first quarter of their Sunday night matchup.

Neil Rackers’ 38-yard field goal put Arizona up 3-0 with 2:46 left in a first quarter dominated by the Cardinals’ advantage in field position.

It was set up by Kurt Warner’s 16-yard pass over the middle to Larry Fitzgerald. Colts safety Antoine Bethea was called for a personal foul on the play for gabbing an opening in Fitzgerald’s helmet.

That added another 15 yards to the play to put the Cardinals in field goal range.

Indianapolis started twice from its own 10-yard line before a short kickoff gave the Colts their best starting position of the quarter at their 36.

Peyton Manning’s 27-yard pass to Austin Collie moved it to the Arizona 37, Alan Branch hit Manning’s arm as he threw on the next play and Antrel Rolle intercepted, returning it to the Cardinals 43.

Another penalty, pass interference by Freddy Keiaho against Fitzgerald, and Warner’s 17-yard pass to Boldin had the Cardinals at the Indianapolis 25 as the quarter ended.

Warner completed seven passes to seven different receivers in the quarter.

The Colts were playing after a short week of practice. They won at Miami 27-23 on Monday night.

It was only the second time that Manning and Warner had faced each other. The only other meeting came in 2001 when Warner was with the St. Louis Rams.

Indianapolis was without two starters on defense — middle linebacker Gary Brackett (knee) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (hamstring). Keiaho replaced Brackett in the starting lineup.