Two 1000-yard rushers is a possibility for Arizona Cardinals

Both Kenyan Drake and Kyler Murray have a legitimate chance of topping 1000 yards rushing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2020

When the Arizona Cardinals hired Kliff Kingsbury back in 2019, questions arose about what the new head coach’s offense was going to look like. There were those who wondered if the “Air Raid” attack would heavily favor the pass, and leave the squad’s ball-carriers out in the cold. Now, 13 weeks into the 2020 NFL campaign, Kingsbury has basically stomped that theory into the ground.

Heading into Sunday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals have not one, but two players who are on pace for 1000 yards rushing this fall. That would be quite a feat for a team that many suspected would ignore that segment of the offensive game. It’s not a given that both runners will reach that mark by the end of the season, but the possibility certainly exists.

In 10 appearances (eight starts) this year, running back Kenyan Drake has amassed 719 yards on the ground. With five games left to play, the 6’1, 211 pounder must average 56.2 yards per outing to reach the 1000-yard mark. Drake is currently averaging 72.1 yards per matchup, so his odds for reaching that total (the first time in his career that he would do so) appear to be solid.

The other member of the Cards who has a shot at gaining 1000 yards with his legs is quarterback Kyler Murray. In 11 starts, the squad’s elusive scoring weapon has racked up 650 rushing yards, for an average of 59.1 per contest. With five matchups remaining, the 5’10, 207 pound Murray would have to run for 70 yards per week to achieve the goal.

Thanks to Drake and Murray (and backup running back Chase Edmonds as well), Arizona currently has the number-one rushing attack in the NFC. It’s quite rare for one franchise to have two 1000-yard rushers in a season. We’ll find out over the next five weeks if Drake and Murray can reach that impressive milestone for the Cardinals.