After two and a half seasons of being overlooked in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals are once again in the playoff race.
The Cardinals (4-4) secured a 28-27 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, powered by an impressive fourth quarter from Kyler Murray, who orchestrated two lengthy touchdown drives. Arizona didn’t take the lead until Chad Ryland hit a 34-yard field goal as time ran out. Murray recorded a season-high 307 passing yards.
“He shows great poise,” said second-year coach Jonathan Gannon. “There were some significant instinctive plays made.”
The Cardinals have now won consecutive games for the first time since 2021 and are tied for first place in the NFC West with the 49ers and Seahawks, fostering real playoff hopes after two seasons of 4-13.
More importantly, they are developing another quality that excites Gannon, especially in crucial moments.
“Confidence,” Gannon noted. “Confidence in themselves. They believe they can win with our quarterback. If they do their job and give their all, our quarterback can make it happen. There’s a lot of confidence when they take the field.”
While Murray has been impressive, he isn’t the sole reason for the Cardinals’ success in winning three of their last four games. Tight end Trey McBride and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. each surpassed 100 receiving yards on Sunday, while James Conner contributed with several key runs.
Arizona has faced one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season, making their 4-4 record all the more commendable. As November approaches, the Cardinals are gaining momentum, although Gannon remains cautious.
“Winning is tough,” Gannon stated. “Our players understand that it takes a full week of preparation to give themselves a chance to win.”
What’s working is the Murray-to-Harrison connection, which has reached its peak this season.
Harrison was targeted seven times, catching six passes for 111 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown in the third quarter that energized the Cardinals.
As the No. 4 overall pick from Ohio State, Harrison has had an inconsistent rookie season, but his standout moments have been impressive. Murray maintained his confidence in Harrison, despite external criticism following some lackluster performances.
“He hears it, and I hear it. It’s hard not to,” Murray said. “But he just needs to be himself and keep improving week by week. That’s all we can do. Progress takes time, you know?”
On the defensive side, it was a challenging day, as the unit allowed Miami to convert 11 of 15 third downs. Tua Tagovailoa was only sacked once, showcasing Arizona’s inconsistent pass rush. However, the defense managed to step up in the second half, giving the Cardinals a chance to come back.
