GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray did it once again.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback grew and burned Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, breaking the sovereign for a 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that brought back memories of his 50-yard touchdown run in San Francisco two weeks ago. . The run put the Cardinals ahead 14-9 early in the fourth quarter, a rule that at some point was lost to the leg of Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 15-14. However, Murray’s ability to lead Arizona’s offense with successful pressure, controlling the clock and hitting his offense in the right place led the Cardinals to a 17-15 victory on a 32-yard field goal through from kicker Chad Ryland in the final games.
The win put Arizona in a second two-way tie-up park within the NFC West with a trip to Miami coming this weekend. The victory also helped Arizona redeem itself after an embarrassing loss in Green Bay’s last class.
However, it was Murray’s career that sparked the unexpected resurgence.
He was the fourth quarterback since the merger to have some touchdown runs of 40 yards or more, joining Justin Gardens in 2022, Michael Vick in 2002 and Steve McNair in 1998, according to ESPN Research.
Sudden maximum efficiency: The Cardinals defense allowed Justin Herbert to throw for 349 yards, but prevented him from throwing a snap. Arizona had two big stops at third due to illness, one through rookie cornerback Max Melton and another through second-year defensive back Garrett Williams. Each helped rally the Chargers to four rushing goals. The Cardinals’ crossover rush was able to get to Herbert seven times for three sacks.
Worrying development: Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finished with 21 yards on three receptions, extending his streak of not reaching 100 yards in a game to five. His receptions came in the first, second and fourth quarters, leading to a trend of Harrison disappearing throughout the entire process. Complete or extra rooms. His six goals Monday night were the third-fewest in a game this season.
QB Breakdown: Murray didn’t have a spectacular game, throwing for 145 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 14 of 26 passing, but he made the plays when he had to, such as the touchdown run. And he managed the offensive week by struggling to make purchases for when necessary. — Josh Weinfuss
Post recreation: at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Quarterback Justin Herbert looked like himself again, throwing for 349 yards and gleefully brushing aside the Cardinals defense. And it wasn’t a huge amount for the Chargers.
Their defense, which was the best possible against the run all season, faltered, allowing the Cardinals to rush for 178 yards, which included a 44-yard run through Murray in the fourth quarter for a touchdown.
The Chargers never found the end zone Monday night, relying on Dicker for five rushing goals. Their offense, which had dominated farmland teams earlier in the season, is not dominant and the team has not scored in the fourth quarter since the fourth quarter. It will be another generation of questions for this team and offensive coordinator Greg. Roman on how to heal the offense and whether or not he wants improvements at receiver.
Prediction for the next generation: Ladd McConkey has the closest first 100-yard receiving game to suffering on Monday. The Chargers will play the Pristine Orleans Saints in the last eight, who have allowed the seventh-most passing yards in the NFL during their Week 3 games. It will be a big game for McConkey, who had five catches for 45 yards on Monday . Herbert has described McConkey as one of his favorite goals.
Promising/worrying development: Herbert has been sacked several times in Week 4 games. Herbert has spent much of the time navigating a collapsed wallet and pitching a week with a defensive lineman around his waist or alternate parts of the frame. He was sacked three times on Monday, the fourth snap game in which the opponent has sacked him multiple times. It’s a concerning statistic for an offensive series that includes three first-round picks in left block Zion Johnson, Joe Alt’s right grab and Rashawn Slater’s left grab.
Surprising Statistic: Herbert is the fastest player in NFL history to complete at least 1,700, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In a season in which Herbert has minimum occupancy in practically all sections, he seemed like the usual Herbert and everything set another record. The only player to have 1,700 completions in fewer than 70 games is Kansas Town Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who did it in 69. Herbert’s 1,700th completion went to Will Dissly at 14:20 of the second room. — Kris Rhim
Post recreation: vs. Pristine Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
