Kyler Murray sets career high, Cardinals hang on to beat Eagles
Dec 20, 2020, 5:33 PM | Updated: 6:27 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Having rung up the game’s first 16 points in the first quarter, the Arizona Cardinals found resistance from then on in a 33-26 win at State Farm Stadium that came down to the final play.
The Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday whittled away at the deficit over the next two periods as their rookie quarterback, Jalen Hurts, found a rhythm and some confidence in his second career start.
Sans their starting punter, Cameron Johnston, the Eagles tied the game at 26-all during a third-quarter drive that included a 23-yard gain on 3rd-and-29 and then a converted 4th-and-6 play. Hurts capped that possession by dragging Cardinals safety Budda Baker into the end zone.
But faced with the blown lead, Arizona turned to its best player. DeAndre Hopkins made a 44-yard catch-and-run on a third down with 9:35 left in the game and on the next third down made a 20-yard touchdown nab to put Arizona ahead 33-26.
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That pass gave quarterback Kyler Murray has first 400-yard passing game.
He finished completing 27 of 36 passes for 406 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to offset Hurts’ 338 yards and three scores.
The Cardinals defense, which struggled to contain the Eagles passing attack, made plays late on the second-to-last Philadelphia possession. The Eagles had 1st-and-10 on the Arizona 11-yard line with three minutes left, but sacks by Dennis Gardeck and Leki Fotu set up 3rd-and-21.
Hurts’ pass to tight end Dallas Goedert hit the grass on the third down, and Arizona safety Chris Banjo broke up another end zone shot on fourth down to give Arizona the ball with 1:55 to burn.
Philadelphia used its three remaining timeouts as Arizona cooked just half-a-minute off the clock on its next possession before punting. Hurts moved the ball from his team’s 22-yard line to the Arizona 31 before two more pass breakups in the end zone sealed the win for the Cardinals.
Hopkins finished the day with nine catches for 169 yards and a score.
Zach Allen led the Cardinals defense with 11 tackles, a sack and a pass defensed.
