Sputtering Cardinals offense wakes up vs. Saints behind Marvin Harrison Jr. TD

A lot was made of the Arizona Cardinals offensive continuity this offseason.

Despite backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett being the team’s biggest offensive addition, the firepower was already there.

Well, a full quarter into the Cardinals’ season opener against the New Orleans Saints, there was a lot to be desired.

Totaling just 41 yards of total offense and seeing three sacks in the first quarter alone, Arizona looked out of sorts from the jump.

About the only thing that didn’t look forced offensively was quarterback Kyler Murray’s connection with tight end Trey McBride, albeit just on two catches.

As for wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.? He was targeted just one time in the first quarter that resulted in a pass interference call.

Crazy what a quarter can do.

After struggling out of the gate, the Cardinals bounced back with a scoring drive on their first possession of the second quarter.

ah, we missed Marvin Harrison Jr. touchdowns

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8LEppSJxjn

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 7, 2025

Harrison was a key factor in the drive, snagging a deep ball for 45 yards before finding the end zone on a one-yard strike from Murray. That looked more like the connection seen throughout training camp.

With the touchdown, Harrison joined Larry Fitzgerald and Gern Nagler as the only players in franchise history with at least nine touchdowns across their first 18 NFL games.

Harrison was head and shoulders above his NFL debut.

The wide receiver finished with five catches (six targets) for 71 yards and the touchdown. It could have been a lot more, too, had Murray connected with the open wideout on a deep ball in the fourth quarter.

Murray, meanwhile, turned things around after completing three of five passes for 21 yards in the first quarter.

When the dust settled, the QB sported a 72.4% completion percentage to go along with 163 passing yards and two scores. Murray also registered 38 rushing yards on seven carries.

He’s now up to 117 career touchdowns passes in 83 games as a Cardinal.

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