Kyler

Murray

Murray started the game with a gorgeous 41-yard touchdown throw to Michael Wilson but struggled thereafter, tossing two untimely interceptions and missing a few routine throws in critical situations. Murray has hit a rough patch in a crucial part of the season, throwing five INTs over the past three games and struggling to connect with his primary weapons on Sunday against a middle Seattle coverage unit. The Seahawks did a good job of limiting Murray as a rusher a week after he posted 49 rushing yards. He has a good on-paper matchup next week against the Patriots.

Murray had an uneven performance in a hugely run-heavy game script for Arizona. He made a few impressive throws, including a 15-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison, Jr. in the second half, but missed a couple routine throws and tossed the game-sealing pick into triple coverage. Week 13 marked the fifth time Murray has gone over 250 passing yards; it was the first multi-interception game of his 2024 season. Murray’s rushing production has kept him afloat as a QB1 for much of the season. That should continue in the final month of the regular season, including in Week 14 against the Seahawks. Murray had 285 scoreless yards in Week 12 against Seattle along with two rushing scores.

Murray and the Cardinals offense struggled in an NFC West matchup against the rival Seahawks. Only scoring one field goal per half, the Cardinals failed to push the ball down field and finished the only two scoring drives they had without touchdowns. Trey McBride was responsible for 15 of Murray’s 37 pass attempts, with Murray settling for checkdowns and throws to the flat often. He nearly had a fumble and interception in the first quarter, but both were ruled incomplete. On a 4th-and-1 play in the third quarter, Murray rolled out to his right and threw a pass directly to Seahawks DB Coby Bryant, who returned it for a back-breaking pick-6. Murray took five sacks as he and the Cardinals offense turned in a lackluster Week 12 amidst a rollercoaster of an offensive season. He is a high-end QB2 against the Vikings for Week 13.

Murray led five consecutive scoring drives and routinely passed his way out of trouble when under pressure. Aside from a thunderous Quincy Williams sack, the Jets’ defense seemingly could not put hands on Murray, whose pass catchers readily made themselves available. Murray is the proud new owner of the Cardinals’ franchise record for consecutive passes thrown, with 17. Carson Palmer previously held the record with 16. Murray is on bye in Week 11.

The Cardinals’ ground game dominated the Bears’ banged-up defense, reducing Murray to a managerial role. Fantasy managers were also dealt a pair of brutal hands. Murray connected with Trey McBride for a big gain and he was eventually brought down inside the Bears’ five-yard line. McBride scored a rushing touchdown on the following play after being sent in motion pre-snap and taking the handoff from Murray on his way back from the right side of the formation. Murray is also credited with having lost a fumble in this one but equal (or more) blame should be placed on RB Emari Demercado, who bobbled the fumbled handoff. Murray is a low-end QB1 against the Jets in Week 10.

Murray only added 19 rushing yards on five carries but used his legs to secure a crucial first-down late in the game. He juked Dolphins safety Marcus Maye out of his cleats to move the change on a designed run. The drive eventually ended with a walk-off field goal for Chad Ryland. Murray and the Arizona offense got off to a slow start, scoring just seven points in the first half. Down 10 early in the third quarter, the Cardinals were forced to dial up more passing plays and more deep shots. Murray delivered on these throws with seven gains of 15+ yards in the final two quarters. Kyler’s production has been spotty this year, but he is starting to find his stride as we reach the midpoint of the season. He will remain inside the QB1 ranks for his Week 9 matchup with Chicago.

In what seemed like a reenactment of his celebration at the 40 yard line on a long touchdown run a few weeks back, Murray broke free off the edge in the second half and took a 44-yard run to the house, holding the football up to the crowd at the 30 yard line on his way to the end zone. Murray and the Cardinals struggled to get much going through the air against the stout and zone-heavy Chargers defense, making up for the lack of aerial production with 181 total yards on the ground. The Cardinals improve to 3-4 and played their way into contention in the tight NFC West, looking to further their playoff chances nearing the midpoint of the season in a Week 8 matchup with a Dolphins team expecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back from his third concussion.

Murray was lackluster once again, heading a Cardinals offense without an identity and never seems to be in a particular hurry to score points. A whopping 70 percent of Murray’s throws were short of the first down sticks, as he regularly checked down to running backs and tight ends without any pressure in his face. Murray’s lone touchdown went to Michael Wilson on a well-thrown 18-yard pass in the second quarter. Losing Marvin Harrison Jr. to a brain injury in the first quarter certainly didn’t help matters for Murray. Things won’t get easier for Murray in Week 7 against a tough Chargers secondary.

After hitting Trey McBride for a 22-yard gain on the first play of the game, Murray kept a read option on the second play and turned it upfield for a 50-yard score to give the Cardinals an early lead. Murray wound up running seven times for 83 yards in the win, appearing far more willing to make plays with his legs than he did in Week 4 when he ran just once. Entering the half down 23-10, Murray rallied the Cardinals in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points, which included a two-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins in the fourth quarter. On the Cardinals’ final drive, Murray converted a fourth and five to Marvin Harrison on a 14-yard gain and helped set his team up for what would be the game-winning field goal. Murray wasn’t great in this one, but he was better than what we saw in the previous two weeks. He’ll be a high-end QB2 in the Cardinals’ Week 6 matchup against the Packers.

Murray and the Cardinals impressed on their opening drive, driving 55 yards downfield on nine plays and capping the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. Unfortunately, the fun would stop there, as Kyler went on to absorb four sacks on the afternoon, one of which came at the end of the first half on a fourth and one with the offense already in field goal range. Murray was a non-factor on the ground, rushing once for three yards. As if the box score isn’t bad enough, expectations were high for the Cardinals as they prepared to face one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Now sitting at 1-3 on the season, Kyler and the Cards will hope to avoid picking up their fourth loss of the season next week when they face the 49ers.