The Arizona Cardinals lost a 34-31 heartbeaker to the Miami Dolphins, despite the efforts from Kyler Murray.
It is hard to name someone else the MVP each week when Kyler Murray puts on performances like this every game.
Murray played his best game against one of the best defenses in the league. The Dolphins came into this game leading the league in fewest points allowed, and Murray torched the defense with four touchdowns- three passing and one rushing.
Murray also rushed for a career high 102 yards on 11 carries, and added to his streak of games with a rushing and passing touchdown. He now leads the league with seven, one game shy of the NFL record held by Cam Newton.
Leading the way for Murray’s 21/26, 283-yard game was wide receiver Christian Kirk, who also had a career day. Kirk finished with 123 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.
Larry Fitzgerald also had a big day, as he hauled in four catches for 54 yards. DeAndre Hopkins was quiet for the second time this season –his first being against the Cowboys – as he only had three receptions for 30 yards. All of those receptions came in the second half.
Arizona’s defense struggled throughout the game against Tua Tagovailoa, who played just his second game in his career. Tua had two touchdowns against a Cardinals defense that ranks ninth in the league in points allowed.
The Cardinals defense was without Byron Murphy and Dre Kirkpatrick, leading Tua to have a big game against backups Kevin Peterson and De’Vante Bausby. Star cornerback Patrick Peterson also struggled throughout the game, as he was targeted eight times and allowed seven receptions, with six of them to DeVante Parker.
What ultimately lost Arizona the game, however, was Zane Gonzalez missing the 49-yard field goal to tie the game for the Cardinals. The kick looked good, but came up just short, despite his career-long being from beyond 50 yards.
The Cardinals will host another AFC East team, the Buffalo Bills, next week.