Cardinals review after defeating Vikings, 34-33, at State Farm Stadium in 2021



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Kyler Murray is a game-changer. Most of the time, it changes the game for the betterment of the Cardinals, although, as we saw on Sunday, there can be some punches in the guts as well. But I’ll say this: The Cardinals QB has a self-awareness, and I especially liked a quote he got after the Cardinals’ crazy victory over the Vikings about the offense in general.

“I tell you all the time, it’s like shooting us in the foot and stopping us,” Murray said. “When we score it’s easy, it’s fun. When we turn the ball, negative plays it’s like ‘Shit’, it’s ugly. That’s what it is, we have to keep going. to improve and keep practicing. “

There were really fun times on Sunday and ugly times. The defense, especially at first, was nothing like the defense that played in Tennessee (although the way the Titans directed the ball in Seattle, the Cards still get props for that performance.) The Cardinals led. the ball correctly but not great. They lost the sales battle.

But offensively, mostly, I mean… DeAndre Hopkins looked like he was having a huge game, but he didn’t – and although Kliff Kingsbury said he had to send the ball over to Hop, the Cards still had almost 500 yards. There was a big production from a tight end (Mad Maxx, get off!) And Rondale Moore looks special.

I saw some crazy games, and the Sunday one was up there. I felt the Cardinals were the better team overall. (The Vikings think the same, I’m sure.) The Cards should have lost. But they didn’t. And now Kliff Kingsbury has put up 2-0 starts in two consecutive years.

– OK, I don’t mean to be mean. But the Vikings lost like this Sunday, they lost 23-20 to the Cardinals in 2015 in Arizona when Dwight Freeney stripped Teddy Bridgewater in the penultimate game while the Vikings were in shooting range and of course , in the During the Vikings’ 2003 visit to Sun Devil Stadium, the Cards broke their hearts and their playoff hopes in the last game. It’s hard stuff.

– It looked like Kyler had left the fourth call when the Vikings went to Cover Zero and, for a second week in a row, threw a perfect bomb on the back foot at Christian Kirk – this time for 36 yards – for a huge play . So pretty.

– Patrick Peterson was neutral after the game. He said he thought he did a good job in controlling his emotions and treating the game like any other. “I just wish I would have had a game back,” he said, which I guess was Hopkins’ TD. (I’m not sure what Peterson’s role was in Moore’s touchdown; coach Mike Zimmer only said it was a missed cover.)

– Jordan Hicks played the whole game again, Zaven Collins I bet played less than week 1.

– Cornerback Marco Wilson did not return after an ankle injury. Right tackle Kelvin Beachum, who was treating a rib injury but started, came out at halftime and was replaced by Justin Murray. There haven’t been any updates, but if Wilson is down it will be interesting to see what they do. Antonio Hamilton got the third CB snap after Wilson’s exit.

–Chandler Jones wasn’t fired (and actually apologized to fans on Twitter afterward), but he came close three times. Kirk Cousins ​​was once sacked, but Markus Golden dropped the ball just as Jones dropped him, so officially Golden was sacked. Jones remains half a bag away from the franchise record.

– Kyler Murray’s rushed TD was the 17th in his young career (34 games), setting a franchise record for the quarterfinals. Jim Hart had the mark of 16, established over 18 years with the Cardinals. So, yes, two different paths to the disk.

– No, Murray’s TD celebration wasn’t a tribute to Baby Yoda, no matter what Chandler Jones called it last week. “I’ve never watched Star Wars before. I got to my phone and see people talking about Baby Yoda but had no idea what it was. I wasn’t planning on doing it. that.”

– Williams had 94 yards on seven catches. I know, so many people have been waiting for the tight end to be part of the offense. His 17-yard gain after several deflections was a spark, Kingsbury said. Williams admitted that being so involved was fun. It’s a shame Williams couldn’t get six more yards – the Cardinals haven’t had a 100-yard receiving game by a tight end since Rob Awalt in 1989.

– Murray’s 400 passing yards were his second best of his career, after 406 he had against Philly last season.

– Murray said on his second interception, “The guy hit me on the head, I don’t know if it’s legal or not. But it would have been a touchdown, I will say that. If I didn’t been hit in the head, that would be a hit. “

– Moore is gonna be so good. I love the way they use him and I love how motivated he is. TD wrestling was one thing – he just couldn’t let it go, he was so open. But the 18-yard catch-and-run to set up Matt Prater’s 62-yard field goal (franchise record)? * Chef’s kiss *

That’s all for tonight. The Cardinals are 2-0 with a trip to Jacksonville ahead. It’s never boring, I say.

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