Arizona Cardinals get best and worst from their quarterback
By Jim Koch
Kyler Murray‘s performance was both impressive and disappointing during the Arizona Cardinals 26-23 loss to the Detroit Lions
Perhaps Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was reading his own press clippings. After all, the second-year pro had played brilliantly during his squad’s first 2-0 start since 2015. Murray’s stellar play thus far had quite a few experts predicting that an NFL MVP award would be waiting for the Cards leader at the end of the 2020 campaign.
It’s quite possible that those who hopped on Murray’s bandwagon may now be changing their opinion. The signal-caller’s performance during Arizona’s 26-23 defeat to the Detroit Lions this past Sunday left a lot to be desired. A couple of awe-inspiring plays by Murray had Cardinals fans jumping for joy, but there were also some head-scratching throws from the passer that contributed greatly to the team’s heartbreaking loss.
Murray’s three interceptions during the matchup were blatant proof that the youngster has not yet arrived. There were also several other bad decisions by the 23-year old, the worst coming on a third down and nine from the 50-yard line with just over five minutes left in the contest. Murray elected to throw to a well-covered KeeSean Johnson downfield, instead of hitting a wide open Andy Isabella in the flat that would’ve resulted in a first down for the victory-seeking Cards.
On the other end of the spectrum were two particularly awesome contributions from the 5’10, 207 pound Murray. Facing a second down and goal from the Detroit 13-yard line late in the first quarter, the former Heisman Trophy winner dropped an absolute dime into the waiting arms of Isabella. The completion occurred in the end zone, giving Arizona an early 7-3 lead.
Then, with just under two minutes to go in the first half, Murray dazzled again. Trailing 10-7, the Texas native juked a defender out of his shoes during a run to paydirt. Murray’s one-yard touchdown capped off a nine-play, 74 yard jaunt that put the Cardinals ahead by a score of 13-10 at the time.
The Cards got a little bit of from everything from their franchise quarterback this past weekend. For now, any discussions about Murray being named the MVP of the league can be put on the backburner. More consistency from the first-overall selection of the 2019 draft is what Arizona needs most to get back on the winning track.