The first six and a half quarters of this season have not been particularly kind to the Arizona Cardinals. In week one they got blown out at home by the Kansas City Chiefs. And by the third quarter in Las Vegas they found themselves down 20-0 to a Raiders team that was looking to prove themselves after losing a close one the the Chargers last week.
With just over six minutes remaining in the third, Arizona capped their best drive to that point on the day, 11 plays for 79 yards over five and a half minutes, with Greg Dortch reeling in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals Turn Things Around with One Play
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
RELATED: Kyler Murray's 40 Time is Reportedly One of NFL's Fastest
The Raiders managed another three points with a Daniel Carlson field goal, but that would be the last time Las Vegas was able to add to their tally. At his best, Kyler Murray has the chance to electrify this league. His ability to extend a play can be right up there with the likes of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. But he also has a tendency to go missing in ways the others don't.
Once he woke up today though, that was all Arizona needed. Darrel Williams was able to punch it in, and Murray stayed on the field to go for two, in the hopes that they could minimize the damage and get within one score (a TD and two point conversion). It took a shocking 20.8 seconds from snap to score, but the Cards offensive line was able to protect well enough for Murray to extend, then extend again, and ultimately run into the corner of the end zone for the score.
After another big defensive stand, Arizona marched back down field, and Murray was able to punch it in as time expired to bring the game within two. Veteran AJ Green caught the two point conversion successfully and it was a 23-23 game heading into overtime.
At this point it looked like the Cards had it in the bag. They marched downfield yet again, got up to the Raiders 37-yard line, but failed to convert a fourth-and-1. If Vegas was able to get into field goal range, this one was likely going to be over, and all that work to claw back in the game would be for nothing.
That's when Hunter Renfrow fumbled the ball.
It rattled around on the ground a bit until it was scooped up by Byron Murphy, who then took the ball 59 yards to the house, completing one of the best comebacks of the day. From down 20-0 to winning 29-23. The Cards showed heart, and they should be able to let that momentum carry them into a tough matchup at home against the defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams.
