ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals pull out bag of tricks to set up TD vs. Colts

Dec 25, 2021, 8:26 PM | Updated: 11:55 pm

Trailing 12-6 at halftime against the Indianapolis Colts, the Arizona Cardinals needed a spark to get some momentum going.

After forcing the Colts to punt on their opening drive of the second half, the Cardinals created just that thanks to their special teams unit.

With Christian Kirk back deep to field the punt, he drifted to his left trying to track the ball where the Colts followed suit.

To Indianapolis’ surprise, the punt landed in the hands of Byron Murphy Jr. on the other side of the field, who then did the rest.

The Cardinals started their ensuing drive with some more trickery, as head coach Kliff Kingsbury dialed up a pass to quarterback Kyler Murray on a throw back from Kirk.

The trickery set up the Cardinals for the go-ahead score, as Murray dropped a dime to receiver Antoine Wesley for the 24-yard score.

Defensively, the Cardinals stepped up on the Colts’ next offensive drive, forcing a turnover on downs from the Cardinals’ side of the field.

Arizona couldn’t hold onto the momentum, as the Colts would storm back to score a touchdown the following drive.

The Cardinals fell to the Colts, 22-16.

However, a Vikings, Saints or Eagles loss in Week 16 would clinch Arizona’s first playoff berth since 2015 — snapping the second-longest postseason drought in the NFL.

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

7 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals is embracing change amid coaching staff carousel....

Tyler Drake

‘Part of the business’: Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon facing new challenge in Year 3

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is facing a new reality with the departures of multiple assistants this offseason.

2 days ago

A recent ESPN mock draft has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the NF...

Brandon Cadiz

ESPN’s Matt Miller has Cardinals taking two CBs in Mock Draft

ESPN's analyst Matt Miller has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

3 days ago

The Jaguars are hiring former Cardinals pass game specialist Spencer Whipple as their next QBs coac...

Tyler Drake

Jaguars hiring Cardinals’ Spencer Whipple as their new quarterbacks coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring Cardinals pass game specialist Spencer Whipple as their next quarterbacks coach.

3 days ago

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball for a touchdown during the secon...

Associated Press

Saquon Barkley can set the NFL total rushing record, but he wants a Super Bowl win

Saquon Barkley is 30 yards shy of breaking the NFL season rushing record, postseason included. He wants a Super Bowl win.

3 days ago

Cardinals pull out bag of tricks to set up TD vs. Colts