{"id":22862,"date":"2021-10-25T04:50:04","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T09:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22862"},"modified":"2021-10-25T04:53:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T09:53:31","slug":"kyler-cole-murray-the-most-explosive-q-b-the-beautiful-spiral-throwing-general-and-arizona-cardinals-surge-to-a-7-0-cardinals-kyler-murray-zach-ertz-connect-for-sweet-47-yard-td-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=22862","title":{"rendered":"Kyler Cole Murray, “One Of The Most Explosive NFL Q.B.’s”, (THE OTHER BEING LAMAR JACKSON), “The Beautiful Spiral Throwing General”, and Arizona Cardinals, Surge to a 7-0."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kyler Murray, Cardinals surge after sluggish start, now 7-0<\/h1>\n

@TheKylerMurray<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"kylertexans.jpg\"<\/figure>\n

Conner caps blowout<\/h2>\n

If you can believe it, the Cardinals trailed, 5-0, to the Texans about 20 minutes into game action. From there, it was all Arizona, which easily scored 31 straight points while shutting down anything Houston tried to accomplish on offense. The Cardinals’ last score came via James Conner<\/a>, who juked his way into the end zone from 18 yards out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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James Conner just makes it look easy…@JamesConner_<\/a> x #RedSea<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lgR9nLvAZ5<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2014 Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 24, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Murray, Ertz in a groove<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ertz has only been in Arizona for about a week, but he already seems to have good chemistry to his new quarterback. The former Eagles Pro Bowler has caught three passes for 66 yards against the Texans, with the highlight play being a nifty 47-yard catch-and-run score to extend the Cardinals’ lead.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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ZACH ERTZ 47-YARD TD CATCH. @ZERTZ_86<\/a> #NationalTightEndsDay<\/a> #RedSea<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa: #HOUvsAZ<\/a> on CBS<\/strong>
\n\ud83d\udcf1: NFL app pic.twitter.com\/3Xx5qgQoIz<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Kyler Murray<\/a> knows how to protect himself, rarely taking many big hits. The Texans, though, got some shots in on the quarterback, giving the Cardinals a scare early in the game.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray was sacked four times and hit five other times in the pocket. In addition, he took a vicious blow from Maliek Collins<\/a>, who was cited for roughing the passer, and Murray was shaken up briefly on a safety when Jacob Martin got away with grabbing Murray by the facemask to keep him in the end zone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray said he had a \u201clittle bruise, little dead leg for a second.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI took some shots<\/a> today,\u201d Murray said, via Darren Urban of the team website.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray went into the blue medical tent after Martin\u2019s facemask grab, but Murray insisted afterward he has no ill effects from the illegal hit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor him to go in the tent, I think it brings a little awareness to everybody, a little panic,\u201d receiver DeAndre Hopkins<\/a> said. \u201cHe\u2019s tough. He bounced right back.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cardinals have a quick turnaround, playing the Packers on Thursday night. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said the Cardinals will be smart with Murray at practice this week.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Arizona Cardinals<\/a> tight end Zach Ertz<\/a>‘s first touchdown with his new team was one for his personal record book.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He came off the line of scrimmage on first-and-10 from the Houston Texans<\/a>‘ 47 with 8:08 left in the third quarter and took a hit from a Texans linebacker after about four yards before continuing his route. Ertz curled toward the Houston sideline, catching a pass from quarterback Kyler Murray<\/a> that traveled 18 yards in the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ertz did the rest with a little help from wide receiver Christian Kirk<\/a>, who threw a late block in the final few yards, to help put the Cardinals ahead 24-5.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was the longest touchdown of Ertz’s career and only his second receiving TD that traveled at least 15 yards in the air since 2018.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He had nine from 2013 to 2017, according to ESPN Stats & Information.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of Ertz’s 38 regular-season receiving touchdowns with Philadelphia, only one was more than 30 yards — and that was seven years ago.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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INTRODUCING… ZACH ERTZ.@ZERTZ_86<\/a> x #NationalTightEndsDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gdSYxHsLLB<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2014 Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 24, 2021<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

_______________________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Kyler Murray throws three touchdown passes in 31-5 rout<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Former<\/picture><\/strong><\/p>\n
Former Texan and current Cardinal defensive lineman J.J. Watt pleads his case to the public after a near-sack Sunday in the Cardinals’ win over Houston.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The information had already spread around the Cardinals Saturday night, that coach Kliff Kingsbury had one negative Covid test under his belt and a likely second one Sunday morning would get him back on the field.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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So it didn’t surprise quarterback Kyler Murray to wake to the news Kingsbury would be on the sideline \u2013 “I didn’t have a party or anything like that,” Murray said with a smile \u2013 and that the Cardinals would be back to normal.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Normal-ish, anyway.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The result looked right Sunday, as the Cardinals routed the Houston Texans, 31-5, at State Farm Stadium. Murray threw three touchdown passes, so that part played out correctly, and the defense dominated \u2013 again \u2013 in shutting out the Texans (1-6) in the second half and allowing only 160 yards total. That tracked.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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So did the Cardinals running their record to 7-0 on the season, equaling the 1974 team’s best start in franchise history and allowing for a chance to break it Thursday night at home against the 6-1 Packers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kingsbury, however, said he didn’t feel as “connected” as he usually, would have, not without the ability to call the plays he did Sunday multiple times in practice the week leading into the game.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“It just felt funky,” Kingsbury said. “Usually, I’ve called those plays over and over throughout the week. Kyler (Murray) and I have had that dialogue. That was the first time we’d even gone over them was out there.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“It just didn’t feel like the same type of rhythm, same type of comfort level. I just felt more on edge than I normally do after six days of preparation.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Yet it didn’t matter. Sure, the Cardinals were trailing, 5-0, one play into the second quarter. A Murray run was stuffed in the end zone, leaving Murray bruised (he said he was OK) and the Texans with a safety. It was the first time the Cards had trailed in a game since the Rams took a 10-7 lead in Week Four.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But by the end of the game, Murray had thrown touchdown passes to DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and new tight end Zach Ertz \u2013 the latter a 47-yard catch-and-run that was the longest score of Ertz’s career and made him the first player in NFL history to catch touchdowns for two different teams in back-to-back weeks. (Ertz scored a TD a week ago Thursday in his final game with the Eagles in Week Six.)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A.J. Green set up a touchdown on a perfect 41-yard throw from Murray, and the running back tandem of James Conner and Chase Edmonds combined for another 145 yards rushing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“It felt like everything was back to normal,” said Hopkins, who had seven catches for 53 yards. “We wanted to come out and be dominant.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Part of that was because Hopkins and defensive lineman J.J. Watt were playing against their former team for the first time. Linebacker Markus Golden said Watt gathered the team on Wednesday last week, telling the players how much this game meant to him.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hopkins insisted he wasn’t thinking in those terms.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“This team, we’ve got bigger goals,” he said. “I didn’t want to make it a thing.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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It wasn’t for the defense, anyway. Watt didn’t get a sack \u2013 although he came within an eyelash of bringing down rookie Davis Mills before Mills somehow threw it away \u2013 but Golden had two sacks, including a forced fumble that led to a scoring drive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The unit was perfect defending fourth downs \u2013 two more pelts on the wall \u2013 and allowed season-lows in points, total yards, net rushing yards, net passing yards and first downs. The Texans never got inside the Arizona 35-yard line.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“I think everybody is on the same page, which is Green Bay,” linebacker Isaiah Simmons said. “The win was nice, but it’s a game we felt we should’ve won, and we did. Now it’s on to the next.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“There’s not really time to enjoy it. We play in, like, 96 hours. But I never take a win for granted, because it’s hard to win.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Cardinals have been so good this season, it hasn’t just been the wins now but how they happen. Murray, as he is prone to do, lamented what they needed to improve upon. The first quarter, with penalties and pass protection and some inconsistent snaps from backup center Max Garcia, wasn’t pretty.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In the end, however, they were only three yards short of posting their fifth game of the season with 30 points and 400 yards. They were able to drop yet another weapon into the offense with Ertz \u2013 who made excellent catches on two of his three grabs and couldn’t help but feel excited of what is to come.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“I’ve never seen so much green grass in the middle of the field,” Ertz said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ertz didn’t get to meet Kingsbury in person until Sunday morning, having arrived in trade physically after Kingsbury was banished from the facility because of Covid. Finally, the Cardinals will have everyone together for whatever practice they are able to have, given the short week and the Packers game looming.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kingsbury should feel all the way back by then. That portends well for the Cardinals.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Our job is to execute what is called,” Murray said. “I’m sure he felt a little bit off, but we still put up 31.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

_______________________________________________________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hello, 7-0: Arizona Cardinals defense flexes in win against Houston Texans<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\"Arizona<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates his sack against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo\/Darryl Webb)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The 1-5 Houston Texans gave the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals an injury scare and the opposing offensive line fits in the first half.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yet, the Cardinals pulled away to win 31-5 on Sunday after they finally found a rhythm on offense following two punts and a safety on their first three drives.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Their defense had a full game of success.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It allowed one score, a 53-yard field goal that ended a 25-yard drive that began at Houston\u2019s own 40-yard line. That made it 5-0 to begin the second quarter, but it was all Cardinals from there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Texans\u2019 drives with rookie quarterback Davis Mills leading the offense went like so: Punt, punt, field goal, fumble, punt, end of half, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt and turnover on downs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Houston put up 160 total yards. Arizona rolled up 397 on the day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite taking four sacks and even more hits, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray went 20-of-28 for 261 yards, throwing touchdowns to DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and newcomer Zach Ertz.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was an injury scare for Murray: On Arizona\u2019s third possession of the then-scoreless game, Murray was tackled in the end zone with 2:58 left in the first quarter, giving Houston a 2-0 lead on the safety. Defensive end Jacob Martin grabbed the side of Murray\u2019s facemask and nearly removed the quarterback\u2019s helmet, and Murray went into the blue injury tent briefly after the play.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the first red flag regarding Arizona\u2019s offensive line.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray threw for two first downs on the first two offensive plays of the game but was sacked twice and landed on a bad snap at points during Arizona\u2019s first two possessions, both leading to punts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the safety on the third, the Cardinals found their balance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They put together a 14-play drive after Houston went ahead 5-0 on a field goal. The 75 yards ended with Hopkins scoring a 1-yard touchdown against his former team that traded him to Arizona before the 2020 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Then, Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden with six minutes before the halftime break recorded a strip-sack of Houston quarterback Davis Mills and recovered the fumble \u2014 his second sack of the day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cardinals offense followed with a 49-yard drive highlighted by a 3rd-and-24 conversion on a 41-yard catch by A.J. Green and capped by a Kirk touchdown reception to put Arizona ahead 14-5.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s defense earned another stop and with 1:37 remaining before the half drove into the red zone to close the second quarter with a 31-yard Matt Prater field goal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Houston produced just 83 total yards of offense in the first half as Mills went 10-of-12 for 72 yards and the run game averaged 3.1 yards per pop on nine carries.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cardinals responded quickly in the second half, as Murray hit Ertz for a 47-yard catch-and-run before adding a fourth-quarter touchdown to seal it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Arizona Cardinals<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\"Head <\/a> Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury would rather have last week\u2019s scenario over this week\u2019s. Kingsbury was scratched two days prior to Arizona facing the Cleveland Browns on the road because he tested positive for COVID-19. The moment he found out late that Friday, it was not ideal. \u201cI don\u2019t even want to get into that, [\u2026] <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Arizona <\/a> After helping pick up wins for the Texans across most of their careers, DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt handed Houston a big loss on Sunday. <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Arizona <\/a> The hardest games to win look the easiest. The most dangerous opponents are the bad teams still playing hard. The Cardinals escaped both. <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Arizona <\/a> The Arizona Cardinals used a strong defensive effort against a huge underdog in the Houston Texans and moved to 7-0. <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Arizona <\/a> Zach Ertz didn’t take long to assert himself as a new member of the Arizona Cardinals, scoring a second-half touchdown on an explosive play.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Arizona<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
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1. The No. 1 team in the NFL, remains the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise is 7-0 for the first time since it left St. Louis following the 1987 season, embarrassing the Browns 37-14 in Cleveland<\/a> on Sunday and their 31-5 win over the Houston Texans to move to 7-0 on the season. After beating the Houston Texans, the Cards matched their 1974 brethren for the hottest start in club annals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1a. And in the ever-evolving MVP race, Arizona QB Kyler Murray appeared to create some breathing room from the pack after totally outclassing the Browns’ Baker Mayfield, Murray’s former teammate at the University of Oklahoma and a fellow Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick. Murray matched his career high, established in Week 1 of this season, with four TD passes in Cleveland and now has 14 this season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cardinals<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Kyler Murray<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Kyler Murray<\/strong><\/caption>\n
\"refer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Murray with the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> in 2020<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No. 1 \u2013 Arizona Cardinals<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Position:<\/strong><\/th>\nQuarterback<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Born:<\/strong><\/th>\nAugust 7, 1997 (age\u00a024)<\/span><\/strong>
\nBedford, Texas<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height:<\/strong><\/th>\n5\u00a0ft 10\u00a0in (1.78\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight:<\/strong><\/th>\n207\u00a0lb (94\u00a0kg)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career information<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
High school:<\/strong><\/th>\nAllen<\/a> (Allen, Texas<\/a>)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
College:<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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NFL Draft:<\/strong><\/th>\n2019<\/a>\u00a0\/ Round:\u00a01\u00a0\/ Pick:\u00a01<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career history<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
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Roster status:<\/strong><\/th>\nActive<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career highlights and awards<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2021<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
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TD<\/a>\u2013INT<\/a>:<\/strong><\/th>\n60\u201328<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing yards:<\/strong><\/th>\n9,434<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Completion percentage:<\/strong><\/th>\n67.0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passer rating<\/a>:<\/strong><\/th>\n94.7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rushing yards:<\/strong><\/th>\n1,479<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rushing touchdowns:<\/strong><\/th>\n18<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Player stats at NFL.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0PFR<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kyler Cole Murray (born August 7, 1997) is an American football<\/a> quarterback<\/a> for the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> of the National Football League<\/a> (NFL). He played college football<\/a> for the Texas A&M Aggies<\/a> and Oklahoma Sooners<\/a>. He also played as an outfielder<\/a> for the Oklahoma Sooners baseball<\/a> team. He won the 2014 Gatorade Football Player of the Year<\/a> award as a senior in high school. He started his college career at Texas A&M, only playing one season for the Aggies before transferring to Oklahoma. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he wasn’t able to play for the 2016 season. During his 2017 college season, he served as a backup to starting quarterback Baker Mayfield<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2018, Murray was named the starting quarterback. Murray immediately made an impact, leading his conference in passing yards and touchdowns, as well as setting a Big 12 single-season passer rating record with a 199.2 passer rating. He was named AP College Football Player of the Year<\/a> and was awarded the Heisman Trophy<\/a> for his performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following Mayfield, Murray was drafted first overall himself by the Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft<\/a>. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year<\/a> after setting multiple Cardinals franchise rookie passing records. During his second season in 2020, he made the Pro Bowl<\/a>. He was also drafted ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics<\/a> in the 2018 MLB draft<\/a>, making him the first player ever to be drafted in the first rounds of both sports.<\/strong><\/p>\n

High school career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Football<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Murray was born in Bedford, Texas<\/a>, to Kevin Murray<\/a> and Misun Henderson.<\/sup> He attended Allen High School<\/a> in Allen, Texas<\/a>. As a senior in 2014, he was the Gatorade Football Player of the Year<\/a>. His team won three straight state championships and 43 games in a row. He missed one start during this streak and finished his career with a perfect 42\u20130 record as a starting quarterback.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray was ranked by ESPN<\/a>, Scout.com<\/a>, and 247Sports<\/a> as a five-star recruit and the best dual-threat quarterback<\/a> in his class.<\/sup> In May 2014, he committed to Texas A&M University<\/a> to play college football<\/a> and college baseball<\/a>. He officially signed with them on February 4, 2015.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Statistics<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/th>\nPassing<\/strong><\/th>\nRushing<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cmp<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nPct<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nInt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAvg<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/strong><\/th>\n153<\/strong><\/td>\n249<\/strong><\/td>\n61.4<\/strong><\/td>\n2,040<\/strong><\/td>\n17<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n188<\/strong><\/td>\n1,370<\/strong><\/td>\n7.3<\/strong><\/td>\n25<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2013<\/strong><\/th>\n207<\/strong><\/td>\n325<\/strong><\/td>\n63.7<\/strong><\/td>\n3,669<\/strong><\/td>\n46<\/strong><\/td>\n9<\/strong><\/td>\n151<\/strong><\/td>\n1,274<\/strong><\/td>\n8.4<\/strong><\/td>\n19<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2014<\/strong><\/th>\n278<\/strong><\/td>\n433<\/strong><\/td>\n64.2<\/strong><\/td>\n4,713<\/strong><\/td>\n54<\/strong><\/td>\n8<\/strong><\/td>\n151<\/strong><\/td>\n1,495<\/strong><\/td>\n9.9<\/strong><\/td>\n25<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total<\/strong><\/th>\n638<\/strong><\/th>\n1,007<\/strong><\/th>\n63.4<\/strong><\/th>\n10,386<\/strong><\/th>\n117<\/strong><\/th>\n22<\/strong><\/th>\n490<\/strong><\/th>\n4,139<\/strong><\/th>\n8.4<\/strong><\/th>\n69<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Source:[12]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Baseball<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Murray also played baseball<\/a> and was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 Major League Baseball draft<\/a>. In high school, Murray was a shortstop<\/a> and a second baseman<\/a>. He was the first player to ever be selected for both the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game<\/a> and Under Armour All-America Football Game<\/a>.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

College career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Football<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/span>Texas A&M<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Murray after his first win at Texas A&M, 2015<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As a true freshman in 2015, Murray competed with Kyle Allen<\/a> before the season for the starting quarterback position.<\/sup> Allen won the job, with Murray appearing in games as a backup (primarily on plays involving the wildcat formation<\/a>). After the team lost two straight games in October, the competition was opened again prior to the South Carolina<\/a> game, and Murray won the starting quarterback position. In his first start, Murray threw for 223 yards and rushed for 156 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, making him and Cam Newton<\/a> the only Southeastern Conference<\/a> quarterbacks in the past 20 years to gain over 100 yards passing and rushing, including a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in their first career start. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In his second start the next game against Auburn<\/a>, Murray threw for 105 yards while throwing three interceptions, and rushing for 37 yards in the 26\u201310 loss. He rebounded from his previous game the next week against Western Carolina<\/a>, throwing for 191 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while rushing for 50 yards in the 41\u201317 blowout win. After the game, Allen was named the starting quarterback and Murray was sidelined for the rest of the season. On December 24, 2015, Murray announced that he was transferring to the University of Oklahoma<\/a>. Per NCAA transfer rules, he had to miss the 2016 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oklahoma<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In the 2017 season, Murray was a backup quarterback to Baker Mayfield<\/a>. He got the opportunity to play in some games in relief of Mayfield. He made his season debut in the season opener against UTEP<\/a>. In the 56\u20137 victory, he came into the game in the second half and finished 10-of-11 for 149 yards and a touchdown.<\/sup> Two weeks later, against Tulane<\/a>, he hit all three pass attempts for 103 yards and a touchdown. On November 25, against West Virginia<\/a>, he started the game after Mayfield had to sit out some of the game due to disciplinary actions in the previous game against the Kansas Jayhawks<\/a>. In the game, he hit both pass attempts for 52 total yards and a touchdown while contributing 80 rushing yards on three carries.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Murray in 2018<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Oklahoma considered Murray and Austin Kendall<\/a> to start at quarterback in 2018. Murray was chosen as the starting quarterback.\u00a0 He threw for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the 2018 regular season, and rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In December 2018, Murray was awarded the Heisman Trophy<\/a> as the best collegiate football player in the country, giving Oklahoma back-to-back Heisman winners.\u00a0 Murray helped lead Oklahoma to a Big 12 Championship<\/a> and an appearance in the College Football Playoff<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/sup>In the 2018 Orange Bowl<\/a> against Alabama<\/a>, he had 308 passing yards and two passing touchdowns as the Sooners fell by a score of 45\u201334. Murray became only the third Heisman Trophy winner to not be awarded consensus All-American honors.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Statistics<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Legend<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nLed the Big 12<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nBig 12 record<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bold<\/strong><\/td>\nCareer high<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/th>\nTeam<\/strong><\/th>\nPassing<\/strong><\/th>\nRushing<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Cmp<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nPct<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nInt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nRate<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nAvg<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/abbr><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
2015<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nTexas A&M<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n72<\/strong><\/td>\n121<\/strong><\/td>\n59.5<\/strong><\/td>\n686<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/strong><\/td>\n109.2<\/strong><\/td>\n53<\/strong><\/td>\n335<\/strong><\/td>\n6.3<\/strong><\/td>\n1<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2016<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nOklahoma<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nDid not play due to NCAA transfer rules<\/i><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2017<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n18<\/strong><\/td>\n21<\/strong><\/td>\n85.7<\/strong><\/td>\n359<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n276.5<\/strong><\/td>\n14<\/strong><\/td>\n142<\/strong><\/td>\n10.1<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n260<\/strong><\/td>\n377<\/strong><\/td>\n69.0<\/strong><\/td>\n4,361<\/strong><\/td>\n42<\/strong><\/td>\n7<\/strong><\/td>\n199.2<\/strong><\/td>\n140<\/strong><\/td>\n1,001<\/strong><\/td>\n7.2<\/strong><\/td>\n12<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total<\/strong><\/th>\n350<\/strong><\/th>\n519<\/strong><\/th>\n67.4<\/strong><\/th>\n5,406<\/strong><\/th>\n50<\/strong><\/th>\n14<\/strong><\/th>\n181.3<\/strong><\/th>\n207<\/strong><\/th>\n1,478<\/strong><\/th>\n7.1<\/strong><\/th>\n13<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Baseball<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Murray opted out of the MLB draft after deciding to attend Texas A&M<\/a>. <\/sup> He was initially set to play as an infielder<\/a> for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team<\/a> in the 2016 season<\/a> until he announced his departure from Texas A&M on December 17, 2015.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray played for the Oklahoma Sooners baseball<\/a> team in 2017 as a left fielder<\/a>. He had a .122 batting average<\/a> and six runs batted in<\/a> (RBIs) in 27 games.\u00a0 <\/sup> After the 2017 season, he played collegiate summer baseball<\/a> for the Harwich Mariners<\/a> of the Cape Cod Baseball League<\/a>. In 2018, playing as a centerfielder<\/a>, Murray batted .296 with 10 home runs<\/a>, 47 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite Murray’s reported intention to continue his football career, <\/sup>the Oakland Athletics<\/a> selected Murray with the ninth overall selection of the 2018 MLB draft<\/a>. He signed a contract with the Athletics which included a $4.66\u00a0million signing bonus. Prior to his junior year with the football team, Murray said that he would report to spring training in 2019 to begin his professional baseball career.[39]<\/a><\/sup> However, following his Heisman Trophy-winning 2018 season, he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. The A’s retain his rights, should he return to baseball.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professional career<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In January 2019, Murray announced that he would enter the 2019 NFL Draft<\/a>.[41]<\/a><\/sup> On February 11, he announced his decision to focus on his football career, forgoing baseball.[42]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some believed that Murray’s pursuit of a football career at the expense of a potential one in baseball was a mistake because of his limited stature relative to a typical NFL quarterback.[43]<\/a><\/sup>[44]<\/a><\/sup> At the NFL Combine<\/a>, Murray was not expected to match his listed height of 5’10”,[45]<\/a><\/sup> because colleges often exaggerate measurements to make players more attractive to professional teams. Murray’s final measurements were 5’10 1\/8″ and 207 pounds,[46]<\/a><\/sup> similar to that of Seattle Seahawks<\/a> starting quarterback Russell Wilson<\/a>. Despite not taking part in individual drills at the combine, many saw Murray’s draft stock improve because of his greater-than-expected measurements.[47]<\/a><\/sup>[48]<\/a><\/sup>[49]<\/a><\/sup> In contrast, NFL Network<\/a> reporter Charley Casserly<\/a> said that Murray had “the worst report I\u2019ve ever heard on a top-ranked quarterback from the interview part of it”,[50]<\/a><\/sup> though Murray’s agent disputed this report.[51]<\/a><\/sup> Gil Brandt<\/a> also questioned the veracity of Casserly’s assertions.[52]<\/a><\/sup> He was ranked as the best quarterback prospect available by multiple outlets and sports websites[53]<\/a><\/sup>[54]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pre-draft measurables<\/strong><\/caption>\n
Height<\/strong><\/th>\nWeight<\/strong><\/th>\nArm length<\/strong><\/th>\nHand size<\/strong><\/th>\nWonderlic<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
5\u00a0ft 10+<\/span>1<\/span>\u20448<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in<\/strong>
\n(1.78\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n		207\u00a0lb<\/strong>
\n(94\u00a0kg)<\/strong><\/td>\n		28+<\/span>1<\/span>\u20442<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in<\/strong>
\n(0.72\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n		9+<\/span>1<\/span>\u20442<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in<\/strong>
\n(0.24\u00a0m)<\/strong><\/td>\n		20<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All values from NFL combine[55]<\/a><\/sup>[56]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Murray was drafted first overall by the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> in the 2019 NFL Draft,<\/sup> becoming the shortest quarterback drafted in the first round (Johnny Manziel<\/a> was 5’11” 3\/4″). When leading Texas Tech<\/a>‘s football program, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury<\/a> said that he would hypothetically spend the draft’s top selection on Murray. The pick made Murray the first player to be drafted in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts, the first time that two quarterbacks from the same university have gone in the first round in successive seasons after Baker Mayfield was selected first in the 2018 NFL Draft<\/a> and the first quarterback under 6 feet selected number one in an NFL draft. On May 9, 2019, Murray signed his four year rookie contract, worth $35.2 million with the Cardinals <\/strong><\/p>\n

2019 season<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Murray played his first NFL game on September 8, 2019 against the Detroit Lions<\/a>, finishing with 308 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the game ended in a 27\u2013all tie.<\/sup> Murray led the Cardinals to a comeback in the fourth quarter from a 16-point deficit, joining Jake Plummer<\/a> as the only Cardinals rookie quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. During Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, Murray finished with 349 passing yards as the Cardinals lost 17\u201323. In Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks<\/a>, Murray threw for 241 yards and a pick-six and rushed four times for 27 yards and his first NFL rushing touchdown in the 27\u201310 loss. In the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>, Murray threw for 253 yards and rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown in the 26\u201323 victory. During Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, Murray threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 32 yards in a narrow 34\u201333 victory. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. In Week 10, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>, he had 324 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in the 30\u201327 loss. In Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, Murray threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown in the 36\u201326 loss.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/sup>In Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, Murray threw for 118 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 40 yards before exiting the game due to a hamstring injury. Without Murray, the Cardinals won the game 27\u201313. Before the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, Murray was listed as a game time decision with a hamstring injury and ultimately played in the game despite being hurt. During the game, Murray threw for 325 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during the 31\u201324 loss. Afterwards, Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury said that “It’s the most proud I’ve been of him all season.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Murray finished his rookie season with 3,722 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions to go along with 544 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 93 carries and was named a Pro Bowl Alternate.<\/sup> At the NFL Honors on February 1, Murray won the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award<\/a> for his performance during the season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2020 season<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Murray in 2020<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, Murray finished with 230 passing yards, one passing touchdown, an interception to go along with 91 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 24\u201320 win.<\/sup> In Week 2 against the Washington Football Team<\/a>, Murray passed for 286 yards, one passing touchdown, and one interception to go along with eight carries for 67 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 30\u201315 victory. During Week 5 against the New York Jets<\/a>, Murray finished with 380 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, two total touchdowns, and one interception as the Cardinals won 30\u201310. On October 14, 2020, Murray was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5. In Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> on Sunday Night Football<\/i>, Murray completed 34 of 48 passes for 360 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception plus ran 14 times for 67 yards and scored a rushing touchdown as the Cardinals beat the previously undefeated Seahawks 37\u201334 in overtime. Murray was also named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 7. In Week 9, against the Miami Dolphins<\/a>, he had 283 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 106 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown in the 34\u201331 loss.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills<\/a>, Murray passed for 245 yards, one passing touchdown, and one interception to go along with 11 carries for 61 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.<\/sup> He helped the Cardinals mount a comeback win in the final seconds; down 26\u201330, the Cardinals drove down to the Buffalo 43-yard line with 11 seconds to go before Murray scrambled out of the pocket and connected with DeAndre Hopkins<\/a>, who was surrounded by three Bills defenders, on a Hail Mary pass<\/a>. The resulting touchdown, dubbed the “Hail Murray<\/a>” by the media, allowed Arizona to win 32\u201330 and take the division lead in the NFC West.[86]<\/a><\/sup>[87]<\/a><\/sup> In Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>, Murray threw for 406 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception and rushed for 29 yards and another touchdown during the 33\u201326 win. He later earned the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2021 season<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

During Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>, Murray finished with 400 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, two interceptions, and four total touchdowns as the Cardinals narrowly won 34\u201333 due to the Vikings missing a field goal with three seconds left in the fourth quarter.<\/sup> He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 2 performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

NFL career statistics<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Legend<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/th>\nTeam<\/strong><\/th>\nGames<\/strong><\/th>\nPassing<\/strong><\/th>\nRushing<\/strong><\/th>\nSacks<\/strong><\/th>\nFumbles<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
GP<\/strong><\/th>\nGS<\/strong><\/th>\nComp<\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/strong><\/th>\nPct<\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/strong><\/th>\nAvg<\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/strong><\/th>\nInt<\/strong><\/th>\nRtg<\/strong><\/th>\nAtt<\/strong><\/th>\nYds<\/strong><\/th>\nAvg<\/strong><\/th>\nTD<\/strong><\/th>\nSck<\/strong><\/th>\nSckY<\/strong><\/th>\nFum<\/strong><\/th>\nLost<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nARI<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n16<\/strong><\/td>\n16<\/strong><\/td>\n349<\/strong><\/td>\n542<\/strong><\/td>\n64.4<\/strong><\/td>\n3,722<\/strong><\/td>\n6.9<\/strong><\/td>\n20<\/strong><\/td>\n12<\/strong><\/td>\n87.4<\/strong><\/td>\n93<\/strong><\/td>\n544<\/strong><\/td>\n5.9<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n48<\/strong><\/td>\n309<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nARI<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n16<\/strong><\/td>\n16<\/strong><\/td>\n375<\/strong><\/td>\n558<\/strong><\/td>\n67.2<\/strong><\/td>\n3,971<\/strong><\/td>\n7.1<\/strong><\/td>\n26<\/strong><\/td>\n12<\/strong><\/td>\n94.3<\/strong><\/td>\n133<\/strong><\/td>\n819<\/strong><\/td>\n6.2<\/strong><\/td>\n11<\/strong><\/td>\n27<\/strong><\/td>\n176<\/strong><\/td>\n9<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\nARI<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n6<\/strong><\/td>\n6<\/strong><\/td>\n144<\/strong><\/td>\n195<\/strong><\/td>\n73.8<\/strong><\/td>\n1,741<\/strong><\/td>\n8.9<\/strong><\/td>\n14<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n116.2<\/strong><\/td>\n37<\/strong><\/td>\n116<\/strong><\/td>\n3.1<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/strong><\/td>\n12<\/strong><\/td>\n107<\/strong><\/td>\n6<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Career<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n38<\/strong><\/th>\n38<\/strong><\/th>\n868<\/strong><\/th>\n1,295<\/strong><\/th>\n67.0<\/strong><\/th>\n9,434<\/strong><\/th>\n7.3<\/strong><\/th>\n60<\/strong><\/th>\n28<\/strong><\/th>\n94.7<\/strong><\/th>\n263<\/strong><\/th>\n1,479<\/strong><\/th>\n5.6<\/strong><\/th>\n18<\/strong><\/th>\n87<\/strong><\/th>\n592<\/strong><\/th>\n20<\/strong><\/th>\n6<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Cardinals franchise records<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n