GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray did it once more.
The Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback turned and burned on Monday night time towards the Los Angeles Chargers, breaking free for a 44-yard landing run within the fourth quarter that introduced again reminiscences of his 50-yard landing run at San Francisco two weeks in the past. The run put the Cardinals forward 14-9 early within the fourth quarter, a lead that was ultimately misplaced to the leg of Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 15-14. However Murray’s capacity to information Arizona’s offense on a game-winning drive, controlling the clock, and placing his offense in a superb place led them to a 17-15 win on a 32-yard game-winning area aim by kicker Chad Ryland.
The win put Arizona in a two-way tie for second place within the NFC West with a visit to Miami developing this weekend. The win additionally helped Arizona redeem itself after an embarrassing loss in Inexperienced Bay final week.
But it surely was Murray’s run that sparked the sudden resurgence.
He turned the fourth quarterback for the reason that merger to have a number of landing runs of 40 or extra yards, becoming a member of Justin Fields in 2022, Michael Vick in 2002 and Steve McNair in 1998, in response to ESPN Analysis.
Most stunning efficiency: The Cardinals protection might have allowed Justin Herbert to throw for 349 yards, however it did not enable him to throw for a landing. Arizona had two large stops on third down, one by rookie cornerback Max Melton and one other by second-year defensive again Garrett Williams. Each helped maintain the Chargers to 4 area targets. The Cardinals’ cross rush was capable of get to Herbert seven instances for 3 sacks.
Troubling pattern: Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. completed with 21 yards on three catches, extending his streak of not hitting 100 yards in a sport to 5. His catches got here within the first, second and fourth quarters, persevering with a pattern of Harrison disappearing throughout total quarters or extra. His six targets on Monday night time had been tied for the third fewest in a sport this season.
QB breakdown: Murray did not have an eye-popping sport, throwing for 145 yards, a landing and an interception on 14-for-26 passing, however he made the performs when he wanted to, akin to a landing run. And he managed the offense whereas scrambling to purchase time when wanted. —Josh Weinfuss
Subsequent sport: at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Quarterback Justin Herbert regarded like Justin Herbert once more, throwing for 349 yards and selecting aside the Cardinals protection with ease. And but it wasn’t sufficient for the Chargers.
Their protection, which had been among the finest towards the run all season, faltered, permitting the Cardinals to gallop for 178 yards, which included a 44-yard run by Murray within the fourth quarter for a landing.
The Chargers by no means discovered the tip zone on Monday night time, counting on Dicker for 5 area targets. Their offense, which had dominated groups on the bottom early within the season, is now not dominant and the workforce hasn’t scored within the fourth quarter since Week 1. Will probably be one other week of questions for this workforce and offensive coordinator Greg Roman about tips on how to repair this offense and if this workforce must make upgrades at receiver.
Prediction for subsequent week: Ladd McConkey has first 100 yard receiving sport after struggling Monday. The Chargers will play the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, who’ve allowed the seventh most passing yards within the NFL over their final three video games. It could possibly be a breakout sport for McConkey, who had 5 catches for 45 yards on Monday night time and who Herbert has described as one among his favourite targets.
Promising/troubling pattern: Herbert has been sacked a number of instances within the final 4 video games. Herbert spent a lot of Sunday’s video games navigating collapsing pockets and throwing whereas having a defensive lineman draped round his waist or different physique elements. He was sacked 3 times, the fourth straight sport the opponent has sacked him a number of instances. It is a regarding stat for an offensive line that options three first-round picks in left guard Zion Johnson, proper sort out Joe Alt, and left sort out Rashawn Slater.
Eye-popping stat: Herbert is the quickest participant in NFL historical past to 1,700 completions, in response to Elias Sports activities Bureau. In a season the place Herbert has profession lows in nearly each class, he regarded just like the Herbert of outdated and set one other report. The one participant to hit 1,700 completions in fewer than 70 video games is Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes who did in 69 video games. Herbert’s 1,700th profession completion was to Will Dissly at 14:20 within the second quarter. —Kris Rhim
Subsequent sport: vs. New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
