TEMPE, Ariz. -- Patrick Peterson suspected he leads the NFL in penalties. Reporters on Wednesday confirmed it for him.
"Thank you," Peterson said with mock gratitude.
Former Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton used to say officials needed to adjust to Peterson's physical style because he's very talented. Peterson this season has learned the hard way it is he who must adjust. He has been called for nine penalties, including one that was declined.
Officials have put an emphasis on eliminating downfield contact from defenders on receivers, leading to a rise in defensive holding and pass interference penalties. Peterson was flagged twice more against the Cowboys on Sunday.
"The refs are just doing their job," Peterson said. "As a cornerback, I have to play within the rules."
Peterson still feels the first penalty was on an uncatchable ball, but he acknowledged he wrapped up his man. On the second, he felt he was fouled more than the receiver on an illegal hands to the face call.
"They always tend to call the defensive guy vs. the offensive guy," he said. "At the end of the day, I still have to go out there and play football. I can't be thinking about if the refs are going to throw the flag."
Peterson before Sunday's game vowed it would be a springboard for the rest of his season. He held Dallas receiver Dez Bryant to two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown after the game was decided.
An ankle injury and a concussion hampered Paterson this season as he tries to live up to a recently signed five-year, $70-million extension, which made him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Peterson has also been dealing with some health issues nobody knows about. But Peterson believes the Dallas game was indeed a turning point and pronounced himself 100 percent healthy and ready to go.
"It's only going to get better from here," he said.
