Arizona Cardinals vs New York Jets: Week 5 MVP

After a quiet first half, DeAndre Hopkins exploded in the second half for the Cardinals to earn himself the week 5 game ball.

Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins finished with 131 yards on six receptions in a 30-10 victory against the New York Jets. His biggest plays came in the fourth quarter, where he caught two passes for 45 yards and 37 yards. The latter resulted in a touchdown for the Cardinals, putting them up 30-10.

Despite only having one catch for 15 yards going into halftime, Hopkins did not need to have a big game for the Cardinals to defeat the Jets. Christian Kirk – 78 yards on five receptions – and Chase Edmonds – 92 total yards – provided a spark for the Cardinals offense. Larry Fitzgerald came alive and had his best game in two weeks, as he finished with four receptions for 35 yards.

Kyler Murray also had himself a career day, as he threw for a career-high 380 yards and two total touchdowns. His two touchdowns – one on the ground and a 37-yard bomb to Hopkins – extended his streak of games played with at least one passing and rushing touchdown.

On the defensive side, despite losing two key players – Chandler Jones with a bicep injury, and rookie Rashard Lawrence with a calf injury – Budda Baker returned after taking a week off to heal his thumb injury, and did not miss a step. Baker finished the game with a team-high 10 total tackles and a sack.

Filling in for the injured Jones was Dennis Gardeck, who recorded his first two sacks in his career. Along with Gardeck, the rest of the defense performed better than it did last week against the Carolina Panthers, as players were making tackles and had good pass coverage.

Patrick Peterson had one of his best games of the season this week, as he only allowed two receptions on six targets to his side of the field. Peterson also finished with a pass breakup.

The Cardinals look to continue the momentum as they head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys on Monday night, October 19, at 8 p.m.