After spending two and a half seasons on the fringes of NFL competitiveness, the Arizona Cardinals have re-emerged into the playoff picture.
The Cardinals (4-4) pulled off a thrilling 28-27 comeback victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, primarily driven by a remarkable fourth quarter performance from quarterback Kyler Murray.
Murray orchestrated two lengthy touchdown drives, with the Cardinals not taking their first lead until Chad Ryland kicked a 34-yard field goal just as the game concluded.
In this game, Murray recorded a season-high 307 passing yards, showcasing his impressive playmaking abilities.
“He’s got really good poise,” said second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon.
“There were some big-time, instinctive feel plays.”
This victory marks the Cardinals’ first consecutive wins since 2021, helping them to share the top spot in the NFC West alongside the 49ers and Seahawks, reigniting their aspirations for the postseason after two consecutive seasons of 4-13 records.
More importantly, the team is building a vital trait that Gannon finds encouraging, especially for crunch-time scenarios: confidence.
“Confidence,” Gannon noted.
“Confidence in themselves. And they know they have a chance to win with our quarterback.
So if they just do their job and max out, our quarterback can get it done.
So there’s a lot of confidence when they trot out there.”
While Murray’s impressive performance has been significant, he is not the sole factor in the Cardinals’ resurgence.
Tight end Trey McBride and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. both surpassed 100 receiving yards on Sunday, with running back James Conner adding a few crucial runs in the waning moments of the game.
Arizona has faced one of the NFL’s toughest schedules this season, lending more merit to their 4-4 standing.
As November approaches, the Cardinals appear to be gaining momentum, even though Gannon remains cautious about celebrating too soon.
“Winning’s hard,” Gannon remarked.
“Our guys know it takes all week to get yourself ready to go and give yourself a chance to win.”
A noticeable improvement has been the connection between Murray and Harrison, which reached new heights in this game.
Harrison was targeted seven times, successfully catching six passes for a total of 111 yards, including a pivotal 22-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter that ignited the Cardinals’ momentum.
Despite having an inconsistent rookie season, Harrison, who was drafted 4th overall out of Ohio State, has displayed moments of brilliance.
Murray expressed unwavering confidence in Harrison, who faced external criticism following some unproductive games.
“He hears it. I hear it. It’s hard not to hear it,” said Murray.
“At the end of the day, he’s got to be himself and just continue to get better each and every week.
That’s all we have to do. It’s going to get there. (It) don’t happen overnight, you know what I mean?”
However, the defense continues to face challenges, having allowed Miami to convert on 11 out of 15 third-down attempts, and Tua Tagovailoa was only sacked once, which underlines the concerns with Arizona’s pass rush.
Nevertheless, the defense managed to hold its ground in the second half, providing the offense with an opportunity to come back.
On the upswing, McBride emerged as a standout, catching nine passes for 124 yards, prompting Murray to assert that the third-year tight end could become one of the league’s finest.
McBride showcased his toughness and athleticism against the Dolphins, proving to be a multifaceted threat; “He’s not a one-trick pony,” Gannon said.
He added, “In my opinion, where he’s really elite is when the ball is in his hands.”
On a less positive note, the Cardinals fell behind early with a 10-0 deficit—one of several sluggish starts this season.
While this slow beginning didn’t ultimately hinder them against Miami, it’s not a sustainable trend for winning games.
In injury news, defensive tackle Naquan Jones exited the game due to a thigh issue, but Gannon expressed optimism that it wouldn’t lead to a long-term setback.
In terms of performance metrics, the Cardinals’ offensive line has impressively prevented sacks for a third straight game.
A portion of this success can be attributed to Murray’s mobility, yet the line deserves credit, especially considering three starters were sidelined due to injury against Miami.
Second-year left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. has been pivotal in anchoring the line.
“Lot of guys winning one-on-ones,” Gannon noted.
Next up for the Cardinals is a chance to secure a third consecutive win as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears (4-3) the following Sunday.