Haason Reddick sets Cardinals’ sack mark, defense leads win over Giants

Dec 13, 2020, 2:13 PM | Updated: 2:38 pm

(AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

The Arizona Cardinals hounded New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and got enough going on offense to take a 26-7 win on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

The story was the Cardinals defense, which got a five sacks and three forced fumbles from Haason Reddick, two more sacks from backup outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck, plus a strip-sack and fumble recovery by former Giant Markus Golden on New York’s first possession.

Five sacks by Reddick set a Cardinals franchise record.

Elsewhere in the NFL, the team tied with the Cardinals at 6-6 and holding the final NFC Wild Card sport heading into Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings, fell 26-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kicker Dan Bailey missed three field goals and an extra point.

As of Sunday night, Arizona now stands alone in the seventh and final NFC playoff spot.

The Week 14 win for the Cardinals moved them to 7-6 on the season, keeping them in control of their postseason chances with three games remaining.

On Sunday, Arizona more than doubled New York’s yardage, outgaining the Giants 390-159.

Arizona recorded six sacks of Jones and eight for the game. Jones went 11-for-21 for 127 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

On the other side of the ball, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who had taken criticism for his lack of running with five carries in each of the last two games, was more apt to scramble against the Giants.

He rushed 10 times for 52 yards while completing 24-of-35 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown.

DeAndre Hopkins had nine catches for 136 yards to lead Arizona, Kenyan Drake rushed 23 times for 80 yards and receiver Larry Fitzgerald returned from a two-game absence due to coronavirus and extended his streak of catches in consecutive starts to 254 games.

Arizona kicker Mike Nugent, in his debut this year and replacing Zane Gonzalez (back), made all four of his field goal tries: one from 30 yards, two from 34 yards and another from 37.

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Arizona Cardinals' Dan Arnold, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Arizona Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins (10), second from left, tries to escape the New York Giants defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Arizona Cardinals' Byron Murphy, right, breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants' Golden Tate during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Arizona Cardinals' Maxx Williams (87), center, tries to get the ball into the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Arizona Cardinals' Kenyan Drake, left, carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, right, runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

New York Giants' Alfred Morris (41), center, is brought down by the Arizona Cardinals defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, right, is brought down by Arizona Cardinals defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

New York Giants' James Bradberry, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Arizona Cardinals' KeeSean Johnson (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Arizona Cardinals' Markus Golden (44) celebrates a fumble recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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