Kliff Kingsbury shows why he’s Coach of the Year with Colt McCoy performance

A sterling game plan and performance from Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday all but locked him in as the Coach of the Year.

When the news was let out that the Arizona Cardinals would be without Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and A.J. Green on Sunday, many had doubts about the Cardinals could win their game against the San Francisco 49ers. But Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury merely scoffed at that and delivered a smackdown on the rival 49ers.

With Colt McCoy and James Conner leading the way, the Cardinals never trailed on the road against the 49ers. Despite the final score, this game was not as close as the score indicated. Jimmy Garoppolo looked confused and rushed as Chandler Jones finally got another sack to make him the franchise leader (passing the late Freddie Joe Nunn).

What highlighted the day was this trick play from Christian Kirk to Antoine Wesley that set up a Conner touchdown. It’s safe to say this variation has never been seen before, and that’s a testament to how creative Kingsbury can be – something that was covered when my original piece on why Murray would win the MVP was written before the season started.

Kliff Kingsbury shows that he can get the best out of anyone on the Arizona Cardinals

Kingsbury having the 35-year-old McCoy ready to play was phenomenal. It’s what Cardinals fans expected of the quarterback when he was signed and he also did a steady job in the preseason. There’s also the game last year when McCoy helped the New York Giants upset the Seattle Seahawks on the road late in the season.

After the Brett Hundley/Chris Streveler debacle that ultimately cost Arizona the playoffs in 2020, fans of big red can rest a little easier now knowing just what exactly they have behind Murray. A competent, experienced veteran who won’t turn the ball over and can also lead the team to the end zone.

Doing it without two of the most dynamic players in the league against a divisional opponent puts the Cardinals back into the No. 1 seed in the NFC after the Green Bay Packers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Halfway to sweeping the division, the vision cannot be lost for Arizona.

The Cardinals must win their division first at all costs this year, and then other goals can be achieved past that point. For the fans, don’t let the victories go to your head. Treat every game as if it’s the first of the season. There is no room to get cocky with the high level of competition around the NFC this year.