Whisenhunt: Cards' big win a sign of progress

One win, no matter how huge, no matter how high-profile, can't change a franchise's culture.

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But the Cardinals' dramatic 30-24 overtime win Sunday over the Dallas Cowboys surely furthers the idea that the Cardinals no longer are a sad-sack operation.

Moreover, their appeal in the Valley seldom has been higher, based on consistently high TV ratings and enthusiasm by fans who attend the sold-out games.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt, asked about this Monday, seemed to choose his words carefully.

"I think we've made great progress as a team. That showed up in the game, just from being mentally tougher."

He believes the team's surge began in the second half of the game against the Jets two weeks ago, when the Cardinals bounced back from a 34-0 halftime deficit to make the game competitive, and continued in last week's rout of Buffalo.

Then, as they approached the Cowboys game, "We knew this was one of the better teams, (with a) lot of hype and attention," Whisenhunt said.

Against the Cowboys - much like in the Jets game - things didn't go the Cardinals' way on several key calls from officials.

"Instead of folding up the tent, we hung in and found a way to win," Whisenhunt said. "That's a big indication we're moving in the right direction."

Whisenhunt even uttered a word that rarely emerges from the lips of a high-ranking Cardinals official.

Noting that the Cardinals (4-2) have 10 games left in the regular season, he said, "We hope we're in position now where we can make a strong run at the playoffs."

The Cardinals haven't arrived as an elite team "by any stretch of the imagination," he pointed out.

"We still have a number of questions we can answer. Everyone has said it: Winning on the road. ... That's the next step. We have to take the home show on the road and win some games.

"But the win against Dallas, against adversity ... was big for us."