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Arizona Cardinals facing Heisman Battle this Sunday

By Mike Gambill

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rans defeated Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rans defeated Cardinals 34-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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This Sunday’s contest for the Arizona Cardinals will pit two former University of Oklahoma quarterbacks against one another

This upcoming Sunday will be the long anticipated game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns featuring  a University of Oklahoma alumni battle between former teammates Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.  Fans of both teams and OU fans in general will no doubt find some excitement in a game highlighted by both Heisman winners trying to lead their teams to some sort of late season win.

Both teams are desperate to salvage their seasons with the Browns still holding on to an long-shot Wild Card possibility and the Cardinals looking to build momentum moving into the 2020 season.  On the surface,  NFL.com statistics show both QB’s are having mirror seasons with Mayfield throwing for 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while Murray has 16 TD’s and only 9 INT’s as of last Sunday against the Steelers.

However, Murray wins the overall battle so far with an 86.9% passing rating while Mayfield holds at 77.6%. Offensive production is nearly identical this season with the Browns scoring 273 points total through 13 games while the Cardinals have 272 total points.

This mirror analogy ends here as Mayfield has become the “face” of the Browns franchise (e.g. Progressive commercials) and is fighting for a possible playoff chance while Murray, in his rookie season, is still building his identity with the Cardinals and with fans both on and off the field. Kyler Murray has made spectacular plays at the QB position this season and has also made spectacular errors once again as a rookie quarterback.

Next. Rookie mistakes hampering Cardinals. dark

As the 2019 regular season winds down the Cardinals have three more opportunities to finish this campaign under first year coach Kliff Kingsbury. On a positive note and Kyler Murray has three more chances to show that he is not only a college Heisman quarterback but a bonafide NFL QB and the present and future face of the Arizona Cardinals organization.

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