Kyler Murray and the Cardinals: Grinding Victory Reveals Need for Improvement
The Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, Kyler Murray, is aware that the team is playing with fire by not being able to secure consistent wins. After a promising start, the Cardinals have experienced difficulties closing out games, a situation that worries the team and its fans. After a close victory against the New Orleans Saints, the Cardinals repeated the experience in their home game against the Carolina Panthers. Despite an initial lead of 27-3, obtained thanks to a dominant defense and an effective offense led by Murray, Arizona allowed 19 unanswered points in the second half. Murray emphasized the urgency to improve, especially before their next matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. “We could be 0-2, but we are 2-0 with this problem,” Murray stated. “We need to improve and finish games. It didn’t cost us today, nor last week, but if we keep playing like this, it will cost us dearly.” Arizona’s inability to secure the victory was due to a combination of factors, including offensive errors, a failed recovery of a short kick, an interception, and multiple penalties at critical moments. After scoring a touchdown at the end of the first half and another at the beginning of the third quarter, the Cardinals seemed to be in control with a 24-point lead. However, the Panthers reacted with a touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Hunter Renfrow, reducing the difference to 27-9. In the following series, Murray starred in a spectacular play with a 30-yard run, but was then intercepted, which the Panthers converted into another touchdown, closing in at 27-15. After a punt by the Cardinals, the Panthers scored again, getting to 27-22. Carolina attempted a short kick that was recovered, giving them a new opportunity. Arizona’s defense regained its initial dominance as Zaven Collins brought down Young and Jordan Burch recovered the ball. However, a penalty nullified the play. A questionable roughing the passer penalty and an offside by Dante Stills kept Carolina’s hopes alive until the end.Dalvin Tomlinson acknowledged the need for discipline and avoiding penalties. Michael Wilson summarized it as “careless play” and emphasized the importance of controlling what the team can control. Coach Jonathan Gannon took responsibility for the team’s mistakes at the end of the game, admitting that he needed to improve his strategy. Gannon pointed out that the inability to stop the opposing offense at key moments prevented the team from securing the victory. Arizona is already practicing end-of-game situations and will dedicate time to improving its performance in the final minutes. Wilson anticipated that the focus this week will be on improving performance in the final quarter. “I think we need to put more emphasis on this because it has cost us two weeks in a row,” Wilson said. “But I think we can weather the storm by simply executing a little better.”“I don’t know how many penalties in a row it was, it was a disaster, to be honest,” Murray commented. “But I’m glad we won.”
Kyler Murray
