The Cardinals had gotten off to a slow start to the season. Granted, they did go up against two playoff-caliber teams in the Saints and the Colts. However, they were not looking like the Cardinals that we have seen the last two seasons. The offense looked terrible and the defense was below average as well. This season was supposed to be the Cardinals’ breakout season. The excuse of “they are too young” won’t be valid anymore. And to start the season, the Cardinals had more questions than answers. Was Kyler Murray that guy? Will the Cardinals win their division? Are they a first-round exit again? Will they even make the playoffs?
But that’s how it goes. Two bad weeks and the narrative takes a turn for the worst. At the end of the day though, it’s about how you respond. Not to the critics. Not to the media. But how do you respond in the locker room? On the practice field? In the games? And I’ve been saying it for the past two seasons, the Cardinals will always fight back. And last night…bro last night…..was the definition of fight.
The Cardinals had a matchup with the Carolina Panthers, a team that took them out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round. This was supposed to be a revenge game. But to start the game, it was what we have seen from the Cardinals recently. Always failing to lose the big games. Because to start the game, the Cardinals were down 21-10 and things did not look good. As once again, the offense was not effective and the defense was pretty average.
I don’t know what was said at halftime but a fire was lit. Maybe they were reminded who they are. They are the Arizona freaking Cardinals. And although they had not played like it recently, they are one of the best teams in the NFL. Rumors were spreading that the Cardinals were losing heart. Well, last night they showed they still have it. After a quick defensive stand, Kyler Murray fired a dot to Hollywood Brown to cut the deficit to 20-21. The score stayed that way until 2:00 left in the fourth quarter. After a 3rd down stand by the Panthers, the Cardinals were forced to take 3. 23-21 Cardinals. With 28 seconds left, Bryce Young fired a dot to Wilson to take the lead 28-23.
28 seconds! A field goal would not help. They needed a touchdown. And man, wow wow wow! Kyler Murray showed why he is a franchise quarterback as he took what the defense gave him. Throwing underneath as the receivers picked up yards and ran out of bounds to stop the clock. But the clock was ticking and soon the Cardinals would have to fire down the field. They did just that. Murray trusted McBride who made a huge catch with two defenders in the way. The Cardinals were now at the 14-yard line. The Head Coach of the Cardinals is a genius. With 7 seconds left in the game, he made a bold call to run the ball. Mind you, the Cardinals only had one timeout. A bad run and the Cardinals would have to take a timeout, setting up a tough pass. However, the plan worked to perfection as Dalvin Cook took the ball all the way to the 1-yard line. Two seconds left. No timeouts. What’s the call? Would all this be for nothing? Nope. The Cardinals called an FB dive as Johnson dove into the endzone for the touchdown.
Words can’t make you understand how fun this was to watch live. The Cardinals are back. And a win like this does wonders. Watch out for the Cardinals. It is only up from here.
©Any Given Sunday News