Murray runs for a TD, leads
Cardinals to game-winning FG and 17-15 win over Chargers
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[October 22, 2024]
By DAVID BRANDT
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona's Kyler Murray rolled out to his left
before turning on the jets, beating a Chargers defender to the
sideline and then coasting for a spectacular 44-yard touchdown,
casually holding the ball with one hand like it was a backyard game.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon admitted that's not the way his
players are taught to protect the ball.
Then again, Gannon didn't teach Murray how to run like that, either.
“Until he fumbles, I'll let him ride,” Gannon said with a wry grin.
“That was a pretty spectacular play.”
Murray ran for the game-changing touchdown early in the fourth
quarter and then led the Cardinals on a drive that set up Chad
Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Arizona rallied for
a 17-15 win over Los Angeles on Monday night.
Cameron Dicker kicked his fifth field goal of the night — this one
from 40 yards — to give the Chargers a 15-14 lead with 1:54 left.
But the Cardinals (3-4) quickly moved into field goal range, aided
by an unnecessary roughness call on Cam Hart that cost Los Angeles
(3-3) 15 yards.
Arizona followed that with a bruising 33-yard catch and run by James
Conner, who finished with 101 yards on the ground and 51 yards
receiving. Conner's big gain eventually set up Ryland's short field
goal and a Cardinals celebration. Conner delivered a sterling speech
to the team on Sunday night and backed up those words on Monday.
“That's just the way the season's been going,” Conner said. “As a
captain on this team, that's the job description. Just tried to
rally the troops.”
It was a frustrating night for the Chargers' offense, which gained
395 yards but couldn't find the end zone. Justin Herbert completed
27 of 39 passes for 349 yards. It was coach Jim Harbaugh's first
loss on Monday night, dropping him to 6-1 for his career.
Dicker booted field goals of 59, 50, 28, 47 and 40 yards, the first
of which tied a franchise record for distance.
The Chargers came into the game with one of the NFL's top defenses
and had another good night, but the offense usually couldn't execute
when it mattered most. Los Angeles has gone 16 consecutive offensive
drives without a touchdown.
“I thought we did a lot of good things, but we've got to score
points in the red zone,” Herbert said. “That's the biggest takeaway
from tonight's game. We've got an amazing kicker, but we've got to
do a better job for our defense and special teams. We've got to
score points.”
Murray ran for his spectacular touchdown early in the fourth quarter
for the 14-9 lead. It was Murray's second long touchdown run in
three weeks after he scored on a 50-yard sprint against San
Francisco.
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Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner fumbles the ball as he
is hit by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during
the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in
Glendale Ariz. The Cardinals recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Matt
York)
“It's a good feeling, just putting the ball in the
end zone,” Murray said. “Wish we could have done that more tonight,
but a win's a win.”
It was also Murray's 20th career game with a touchdown pass and run.
Murray completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and
one interception.
Dicker's 28-yarder late in the third quarter gave the Chargers a 9-7
lead. Los Angeles gained possession after stopping Cardinals backup
quarterback Clayton Tune on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. The
Cardinals sometimes use Tune in short-yardage situation because he's
bigger than Murray.
Arizona scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Greg Dortch
in the second quarter to take a 7-6 into halftime. It was Dortch’s
first touchdown catch of the season.
Dicker made two field goals in the first half for the Chargers,
including the 59-yarder. That was the longest kick of Dicker's
career after he previously made two from 55 yards.
Los Angeles fumbled away a pair of great opportunities early in the
first quarter.
On Arizona's opening drive, Murray had a pass deflected by Khalil
Mack and intercepted by Teair Tait. The 304-pound defensive lineman
started running downfield, but was stripped from behind by Conner
before Arizona's Michael Wilson grabbed the fumble.
Then, on the Chargers' first drive, Herbert hit Jalen Reagor for a
42-yard gain, but Arizona's Starling Thomas stripped Reagor and the
ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback.
“It was a game of a lot of near misses and close calls,” Harbaugh
said. “Both teams played well. Came down to a lot of details, not
just one play.”
Injuries
Chargers: OLB Joey Bosa (hip) and TE Hayden Hurst (groin) were
inactive.
Cardinals: CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) left in the first half. LB
Dennis Gardeck (knee) left in the third quarter.
Up next
Chargers: Host New Orleans on Sunday.
Cardinals: At Miami on Sunday.
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