Tyler Allgeier’s breakout performance makes difference vs. Cowboys

Coming out of halftime on Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals were down to one running back against the Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Allgeier.

After injuries to Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight in the first half, the Cardinals needed everything they could get out of Allgeier, who had not quite made his mark since signing as a free agent last offseason. He broke out with his most impactful stretch of football since joining Arizona during the second half of a 33-30 comeback win in overtime.

Allgeier got the comeback ignited with a 53-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter, Arizona’s first touchdown in a game during which it set a season high for points scored. The Cardinals were down 17-3 before that burst through the middle and spring down the sideline.

Tyler Allgeier breaks free for a 63-yard rushing TD!

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He broke out for a 52-yard rush on the following possession, and he finished off the drive with a five-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Gardner Minshew II — who replaced benched starter Jacoby Brissett. He fought through contact, bouncing off two tacklers and reaching the ball over the goal line in a tremendous show of effort despite fatigue.

Between the drives, TV cameras showed Allgeier with an oxygen mask on the sideline.

What an effort from Tyler Allgeier to cross the goal line.

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In the second half, he carried the ball nine times and caught four passes, with four straight rushes to set up the winning field goal by Chad Ryland in overtime.

Allgeier only carried the ball twice in the first half, and yet he finished the game with 147 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards.

According to Next Gen Stats, his plus-96 rushing yards over expected were the most by an Arizona player since at least 2018, showing the degree in which he maximized his opportunities.

Allgeier called his 63-yard run a catalyst for getting the offense going.

“Have to compete,” Allgeier told the Cardinals’ radio broadcast after the game. “Obviously, shoot, they end up going down, but then I’m really just preparing myself mentally. Anything can happen. You don’t wish anything upon anyone, but you just got to be ready when your name’s called or when your number’s called.”

Allgeier signed with the Cardinals before they drafted Love with the No. 3 overall pick. Even with Love banged up this season, Allgeier had not stood out as often as Knight given the opportunities.

He had 64 rushing yards over his previous three games and never more than 61 in a single contest this season.

The Cardinals were desperate on Sunday, changing quarterbacks while players were going down with injuries left and right. There will be plenty of questions about what the offense looks like moving forward given the number of players going down, along with the plan at quarterback.

On Sunday, Allgeier, Minshew and wide receiver Michael Wilson, especially, characterized staying ready and fighting through adversity to steal a game that looked futile with 17 minutes left to play in it.

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