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Improving Kyler Murray’s advanced stats is crucial for Cardinals success

By Aarron Van Buren

Aug 26, 2020; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK2020 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp
Aug 26, 2020; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK2020 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp /
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Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs with the ball as Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs with the ball as Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

In todays age of analytic-driven football, the numbers are everywhere.

Some mean nothing, and some mean everything. Improving Kyler Murray’s advanced stats is the key to the Arizona Cardinals success in 2021.  With head coach Kliff Kingsbury openly a big fan of analytics, the plan to improve these numbers has already begun in free agency. With help from Pro Football Reference, we’ll see what Murray averaged in the following:

  1. Pocket Time (PKT)
  2. Throwaways (THW)
  3. Bad throws (BAD) and passing yards after contact (pYAC)

Now the old saying goes that “numbers never lie”, however remember that all of these numbers can be taken with a grain of salt. An explanation of how PFR defines their advanced stats can be found here. The numbers may not lie, but the film can always change that number.

Getting back to the topic of Murray, the first half of the season was a clinic on how Kingsbury’s air raid offense was going to work. The engine may have worked too hard too early, and the drop in stats and wins hit after the bye week. Arizona significantly lacked offense over the final 7 games. All four of these categories can be improved upon after Murray’s first Pro Bowl nod. Let’s get into the first of the four stats we’ll cover.

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