Cardinals CB Byron Murphy named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Sep 29, 2021, 6:40 AM

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

Another week, another Arizona Cardinal being honored for their play.

Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the team’s 31-19 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3. It continues a streak of three consecutive weeks of a Cardinals player winning one of the league’s weekly honors and Murphy’s first of his career.

Murphy turned in his best game as a pro on Sunday, recording two interceptions, two passes defensed and four tackles.

His second pick of the day provided a huge momentum shift for Arizona.

Down 19-17 with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter, Murphy wasn’t fooled by the Jaguars’ flea flicker. With Arizona’s defensive line bearing down on rookie Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback fired a pass down the sideline looking for the open man but instead found Murphy running with a full head of steam the other way. Twenty-nine yards later and Arizona would regain the lead for the final time.

“I knew a shot was gonna come,” Murphy told Cardinals reporter Paul Calvisi on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station after the game. “I saw the ball in the running back’s hand, he pitched it back and I just turned my head and ran. Thank God the ball came to me, got the pick, but … had to make up for the last one I gave up.”

Previously this season, Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (Week 1) and quarterback Kyler Murray (Week 2) won NFC player of the week awards.

It is the fifth time in team history the franchise has posted weekly winners over three consecutive weeks.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the 1-yard run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) and defensive back Rudy Ford (5) go after fumble against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (7) on a kick off during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Arizona Cardinals recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) looks for extra room to run as he gets past Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (38) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jamal Agnew (39) gets away from Arizona Cardinals tight end Demetrius Harris (86) on his way to a 109-yard touchdown run on a missed field goal by the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Fans celebrate with Jacksonville Jaguars players after wide receiver Jamal Agnew ran back an Arizona Cardinals missed field goal for a 109-yard touchdown return during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) dives but can't make a catch as he is defended by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Jacksonville Jaguars players celebrate with wide receiver Jamal Agnew, second from right, after he ran back a missed field goal for a 109-yards for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs after a reception against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot, left, cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) and defensive end Malcolm Brown (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles way from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) slips past Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) for a touchdown on a 4-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, left, celebrates his 4-yard touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, right, makes a reception in front of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (7) celebrates his touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on an intercepted pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) and defensive end Michael Dogbe (91) tackle Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Fans celebrate with Jacksonville Jaguars players after wide receiver Jamal Agnew ran a missed field goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals back for a 109-yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) makes a reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) and middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) dives to the end zone on a 1-yard run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, left, and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer greet each other before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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