Cardinals QB Kyler Murray earns 2nd NFC Offensive POW nod in 3 weeks
Oct 28, 2020, 7:31 AM | Updated: 7:45 am
Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals dives into the end zone for a touchdown while avoiding tackles by Bobby Wagner #54 and Quandre Diggs #37 of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
For the second time in three weeks, Kyler Murray is the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Arizona Cardinals quarterback won the honor after completing 34-of-48 passes for 360 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 37-34 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. He added a rushing touchdown and 67 rushing yards on 14 carries in Week 7’s Sunday Night Football game.
He is the first NFL player in a single game to throw for 350 or more yards with three passing touchdowns and rush for 50 or more yards with at least one score.
Murray wins the award for the third time in his career. Two weeks ago, he did so a second time by throwing for a career-high 380 yards on 27-of-37 passing in a win over the New York Jets. He tossed one touchdown and had an interception on a pass deflected at the line.
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During that 30-10 win at MetLife Stadium, Arizona’s second-year quarterback also rushed for a touchdown and gained 31 yards on the ground in nine attempts.
Last season as a rookie, the NFL awarded Murray for a 27-of-37 passing performance that went for 340 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons.
Murray, Kurt Warner, Boomer Esiason and Neil Lomax are the only Cardinals quarterbacks who have won multiple NFL player of the week awards.
Esiason also won it two times in a three-week span (1996). Warner is the last Cardinals quarterback to get the nod twice in one season (2009).
Arizona (5-2), which is now on a three-game winning streak heading into a bye, also has a streak of player of the week honors going. Safety Budda Baker took home the award in Week 6’s Monday Night Football win against the Dallas Cowboys.
Baker recorded a sack, a forced fumble and his first career interception. His big game helped Arizona to a 38-10 victory at AT&T Stadium, and it happened a day after the fourth-year pro was promoted by his teammates to captain.
As for the Week 8 awards, here is a rundown of who else in the NFL earned honors along with Murray:
AFC Offensive Player of the Week: Brown QB Baker Mayfield — Five touchdown passes, 22-of-28 passing for 297 yards and a 135.6 rating with an interception
NFC Defensive Player of the Week: Buccaneers ILB Devin White — 11 tackles, 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble
AFC Defensive Player of the Week: Bills DE Jerry Hughes — Six tackles, 2.0 sacks, forced fumble and interception
NFC Special Teams Player of the Week: Rams P Johnny Hekker — All five punts were downed at or inside the opposing 10-yard line (long of 63).
AFC Special Teams Player of the Week: Chiefs returner Byron Pringle — 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
