Chris Lim
Josh Weinfuss
Josh Weinfuss
ESPN Staff Writer
Josh Weinfuss is a staff writer covering the Arizona Cardinals and NFL for ESPN. Josh has covered the Cardinals since 2012 and joined ESPN in 2013. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and a graduate of Indiana University. You can follow him on Twitter @joshweinfuss.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray has done it again.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback turned around Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers and broke away with a 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, reminiscent of his 50-yard touchdown run at San Francisco two weeks ago. Ta. The score gave the Cardinals a 14-9 lead early in the fourth quarter, but they ultimately lost the lead 15-14 to the feet of Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker. But Murray’s ability to lead Arizona’s offense on a winning drive, controlling the clock and putting the offense in good position, led the Cardinals to a 32-yard field goal by kicker Chad Ryland on the last play to make it 17-15. led to victory.
The win moves Arizona into a tie for second place in the NFC West, with a trip to Miami coming up this weekend. The win also helped Arizona bounce back from last week’s embarrassing loss at Green Bay.
However, it was Murray’s running that sparked his sudden comeback.
After the merger, Justin Fields became the fourth QB with multiple touchdown runs of 40 yards or more, joining Justin Fields in 2022, Michael Vick in 2002, and Steve McNair in 1998, according to ESPN Research. It followed.
Most surprising performance: The Cardinals defense allowed Justin Herbert to throw for 349 yards but couldn’t throw a touchdown pass. Arizona made two big stops on third down, one by rookie cornerback Max Melton and the other by second-year defensive back Garrett Williams. Both players helped hold the Chargers to just four field goals. The Cardinals pass rush was able to reach Herbert seven times and had three sacks.
A worrying trend: Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had three catches for 21 yards, extending his streak of failing to reach 100 yards in a game to five. His catches came in the first, second and fourth quarters, and Harrison continued his tendency to disappear for entire quarters or more. The six goals he scored on Monday night were tied for third-fewest in a single game this season.
QB breakdown: Murray didn’t have a spectacular game, throwing for 145 yards on 14-of-26 passes, one touchdown, and one interception, but he did get some needed moments like a touchdown run. Then I showed you my play. And when necessary, he hurried to buy time and control the attack. — Josh Weinfuss
Next game: Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Quarterback Justin Herbert looked like himself, throwing for 349 yards and tearing through the Cardinals’ defense with ease. Still, that wasn’t enough for the Chargers.
With a defense that had been one of their best against the run all season, the Cardinals allowed 178 yards rushing, including a 44-yard run by Murray for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers never found the end zone Monday night and relied on Dicker for five field goals. Their offense, which dominated teams on the ground early in the season, is no longer dominant, and the team hasn’t scored in the fourth quarter since Week 1. It’s going to be another week of questions for this team and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. How to fix the offense and whether upgrades are needed at receiver.
Prediction for next week: Rad McConkie will have his first 100-yard receiving game after struggling on Monday. The Chargers will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, and the Saints have allowed the seventh-most passing yards in the NFL over their last three games. This could be a breakout game for McConkey, who had five catches for 45 yards on Monday. Herbert said McConkey was one of his favorite targets.
Promising and worrying trends: Herbert has been sacked multiple times in the past four games. Herbert has spent a lot of time running over and throwing through collapsing pockets while wrapping defensive linemen around his hips and other parts of his body. He was sacked three times on Monday, making it the fourth straight game in which an opponent has sacked him multiple times. That’s a worrying statistic for an offense that features three first-round picks: left guard Zion Johnson, right tackle Joe Alt and left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Amazing stats: According to Elias Sports Bureau, Herbert is the fastest player in NFL history to reach 1,700 completions. In a season where Herbert posted career lows in almost every category, he was like the Herbert of old, setting new records. The only player to reach 1,700 complete games in less than 70 games is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who did it in 69 games. Herbert’s 1,700th career shutout was completed by Will Dissly at 14:20 of the second quarter. — Chris Lim
Next game: vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)
