TEMPE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray is ready to take a break from the physical demands of football during this bye week, utilizing these days to recover from the various bumps and bruises he has sustained over the past ten weeks of play.
He hopes his teammates can also take advantage of this time to rest.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback has some words of wisdom for his fellow players as they prepare to disconnect for a short time.
“I understand the bye week can seem like a holiday, but I wouldn’t stray too far from football,” Murray stated.
“I know I’m not letting my mind drift away. Staying focused is crucial. Even without a game this week, football will remain on my mind.”
It comes as no surprise that the Cardinals (6-4) are eager to stay mentally tuned into football these days, especially since they are leading in the NFC West and are enjoying a four-game winning streak following a commanding 31-6 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday.
In that game, Murray showcased one of the best performances of his career, completing 22 out of 24 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 21 yards and two touchdowns.
Currently, he ranks second in quarterback rating, sitting just behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
Tight end Trey McBride was among those who benefited from Murray’s impressive play, making four receptions totaling 71 yards, each one resulting in a first down.
“When the team is in sync and playing well together, you want to sustain that momentum,” McBride noted.
“Having won three out of four games feels great. We just want to continue this success.”
**What’s working**
Arizona’s defense has seen significant improvement in recent weeks, all thanks to second-year coordinator Nick Rallis.
The team’s secondary stands out as a strength, with safety Budda Baker taking the lead.
Additionally, young talents such as safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, cornerback Garrett Williams, and linebackers Jesse Luketa and Xavier Thomas are making considerable contributions.
**What needs help**
While the offensive line has generally performed well this season, there was a concerning incident during the game against the Jets.
Linebacker Quincy Williams broke through the line and struck Murray, causing his helmet to fly off several yards away.
Murray laughed off the hit and threw a touchdown pass shortly after, but the team recognized the potential consequences could have been severe.
“It’s not a good look when your quarterback gets hit in that manner, so there was likely a miscommunication involved,” coach Jonathan Gannon explained.
“We need to improve in that area.”
**Stock up**
McBride is emerging as a standout player, leading the team with 552 receiving yards.
His ability to evade tackles and display his athleticism was evident during the second quarter when he caught a short pass on third-and-7, managed to break free from a tackle, and even leaped over another defender to gain an additional yardage, culminating in a 17-yard gain.
**Stock down**
Wide Receiver Greg Dortch saw the least playing time of the season on Sunday with just 15 snaps.
However, this isn’t necessarily a reflection of his performance but rather his diminished time on the field due to the return of Zay Jones from suspension and the ongoing progress of rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.
**Injuries**
Safety Jalen Thompson (ankle) missed his first game of the season, but Gannon is optimistic that he will recover during the bye week.
Rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf) is still awaiting his debut, but Gannon remains hopeful that he will see action sometime during the season’s conclusion.
**Key number**
1926 marks the last year in which the Cardinals defense managed to go three consecutive home games without permitting a touchdown, having triumphed over the Chargers 17-15, the Bears 29-9, and the Jets 31-6, conceding only ten field goals without any touchdowns.
**Next steps**
Following the week of rest, the Cardinals will compete against NFC West rival Seattle on November 24.