There were plenty of MVP options this week for the Arizona Cardinals, but Kyler Murray made this win happen with his playmaking ability.
In one of the greatest comeback wins in franchise history, Kyler Murray showed leadership ability required of a franchise quarterback in the Arizona Cardinals 29-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. His performance was a stark contrast from last week’s blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and even when faced with the bleakest moments, Murray never seemed to panic.
No, his stat line wasn’t very good: 31 for 49, 5.7 yards per attempt, one touchdown, one pick, and a 76.7 passer rating. He also threw for 277 yards. Overall, it was not a good performance on paper, but Murray singlehandedly kept the Cardinals alive on one of the finest quarterback scrambles in recent memory. Two, to be exact.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is Week 2 MVP
While many will credit defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for his halftime adjustments that the Vegas offense could not answer, Murray seemed to make plays with the deck completely stacked against him. On the final play of regulation, he called his own number to make it 23-21 before he somehow snuck the ball between three defenders to A.J. Green to tie the game.
In short, Murray pulled off the near-impossible on Sunday afternoon and the game better resembled something out of a classic sports novel or a book with a sporty subplot, given the numerous moments where the Cardinals looked finished.
And they nearly were, following a failed fourth down conversion with 30 seconds to go at the Las Vegas six yard line. However, a defensive holding call gave the Murray and the Cardinals one more chance, and after three straight incompletions, he converted when it mattered the most.
Doing this once is great, but with what the Cardinals are paying Murray, they will expect more improbable comebacks as needed. It’s what separated quarterbacks like Brett Favre, John Elway, Ben Roethlisberger, and so many others from the rest. Now, Murray has a chance to make that same lasting impression.
Article Source: NFL Week 2 overreactions and reality checks: Giants NFC East contenders, Kyler Murray silences the haters by Jeff Kerr
(Statistics provided by ESPN.com)