Cardinals notebook: Cards well aware that NFC wins mean more

The Cardinals are playing the type of game this week that could end up deciding their postseason fortunes.

Take last year.

"If we'd made that kick against San Francisco and had been sitting there at 9-7, we would have lost the tiebreaker to Washington for the playoffs," coach Ken Whisenhunt pointed out.

The Cardinals, after blowing a late-season home game to the 49ers when Neil Rackers' missed field goal played a big role, finished 8-8.

A narrow loss in October at Washington - where the Cardinals visit again on Sunday - then would have been the postseason difference.

"NFC games are important," said Whisenhunt, who has discussed the matter with his players.

SEEKING REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

The Cardinals came out sluggishly last year at the Redskins and ended up losing, 21-19.

Early turnovers by Kurt Warner, who was starting to adjust to a brace on his nonthrowing elbow, proved too much to overcome.

"That was the story; we put ourselves down early," Warner said. "We can't afford to do that on the road against a good team."

Warner called the Redskins "a smart disciplined team. Their defense knows how to react against different things you throw at 'em. They're just solid across the board.

"Last year, we played pretty well for a large part of the game. All it takes is a couple mistakes and they're right there to capitalize on them."

INURY UPDATE

Gabe Watson, who is coming back from offseason knee surgery, had his first full practice Wednesday.

Watson needs to believe that he can go full speed before he can return to game action, Whisenhunt said.

"You can't do that until bodies are flying around and you're taking on blocks. That's important for him this week.

"Today seemed like a good first step."

Overall, "We're in pretty good shape," Whisenhunt said of his team's health.

None of the injuries sustained last Sunday appear serious, though a couple of players are still banged up.

They include linebacker/defensive end Travis LaBoy, who has a sore ankle, and receiver Steve Breaston, who has a tight hamstring. Both had limited practices.

Backup tight end Jerame Tuman remains out with a hamstring problem.

WORK ETHIC REMAINS

A concern about any athlete who signs a big contract, even one as diligent as All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald, is whether he'll lose some of his drive to excel.

Fitzgerald has continued to hone his skills on such aspects of the game as running after he catches the ball. The improvement showed up in a 75-yard play Sunday in which he barreled through the defense.

"He felt an obligation after the (contractual) process was over, that he could earn that money, that he's worthy of it," Whisenhunt said.

"I think he's a driven player regardless of his contract."