Cardinals’ Kyler Murray: The Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed
Well, well, well! What a Sunday! Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season was nothing short of a chaotic symphony, complete with interceptions raining down like confetti and a few star performances trying their best to shine through the madness. You could say it was like a family dinner where the turkey caught fire, but everyone still manages to get a slice before the fire department arrives.
And if we’re dishing out Colossus of the Week honors, the crown’s got to go to none other than Kyler Murray. The Arizona quarterback didn’t just stroll into the game against the New York Jets; he practically cartwheeled onto the field like he was coming off the top rope in a WWE match. With a dazzling completion rate that would make even the most ardent statistics lover weak at the knees—22 of 24 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown, and never a rib-tickling interception to be seen—Murray wasn’t just on fire; he was a flaming meteor hurtling towards the end zone!
Too Hot to Handle
Now, don’t get me started on that one particular moment when he was hit by Jets linebacker Quincy Williams as if he were a piñata at a five-year-old’s birthday party. Seriously, Williams hit him so hard that it seemed as though Murray’s soul briefly stepped out of his body, looked around, and promptly decided it hadn’t signed up for that kind of roughing! But like the phoenix rising from the ashes (or, you know, the quarterback getting his helmet back), he unleased a flurry of mighty plays to steamroll the Jets and keep the Cardinals in the NFC West race.
The Cardinals are half a game ahead of the San Francisco 49ers, which, if you’re counting at home, is about the same margin as the number of times I’ve changed my mind about what to have for dinner. And if Murray continues to perform at this level, there’s every chance that the Cardinals could keep their predators at bay…or at least until the inevitable tragic movie montage kicks in for the 49ers!
Honorable Mentions: The Valedictorians of the Day
Now, what’s a hero without a solid supporting cast? Let’s take a quick detour to salute some other standout performers. Please, allow me to introduce you to the day’s Honorable Mentions—because every good story needs a few side characters to help flesh out the plot!
- Carlton Davis III, Cornerback, Detroit Lions: In a night game filled with more interceptions than a toddler has sticky fingers, Davis snagged two of CJ Stroud’s misfires. Way to keep that scoreboard interesting, eh? Who knew turnovers could become a proper evening’s entertainment!
- Chuba Hubbard, Running Back, Carolina Panthers: Sporting a shiny new contract, Hubbard danced all over the field against the Giants with 28 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown. Talk about making it rain in Germany! Someone call the local weather station; it’s a bit too cloudy with an 83 percent chance of foot traffic!
- Kamari Lassiter, Safety, Houston Texans: Unfortunately, a collision went all wrong for this safety. But his two interceptions before that moment were like icing on a cake that was, unfortunately, about to be dropped all over the kitchen floor. It’s only a concussion if you can remember it, right?
- Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons: For the fourth time this season, the highlight reel said, “Why not bring Bijan back?” Delivering 116 yards and two touchdowns, he made the Falcons appear, well, less falcon-like—like a slightly confused pigeon!
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., Running Back, New York Giants: Despite a fumbled ball that would make even a seasoned quarterback wince, he found a way to shine in adversity with 103 yards on 18 carries. If only he’d fumbled his grades instead of the football!
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints: With a performance that could take the sting out of a bad breakup—creating 109 yards and two touchdowns—Marquez reminded us that, sometimes, it doesn’t take a full date to make a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
As the NFL season rolls on, surprises lurk behind every tackle and interception like an ex who just can’t let go. Kyler Murray’s incredible day showcases the brilliance that keeps us tuning in week after week. I can hardly keep track of the touchdowns, let alone my own sock drawer, but Murray’s performance certainly gives fans a reason to celebrate—so long as you’re not wearing a Jets jersey, of course.
In the end, whether your team is soaring high or needs a good motivational tape (or a miracle), the one constant is the timeless excitement of the NFL. Until next time, stay tuned, keep laughing, and remember—every pick has its day…even if it wasn’t supposed to!
Nov 10, 2024, 11:38 PM ET
The Arizona quarterback stood out as the best in terms of individual performance on Sunday
It was an extraordinarily peculiar day, indeed, this Sunday in Week 10. Interceptions were rampant, while exceptional performances trickled in sporadically.
Colossus of Week 10 of the 2024 NFL regular season has arrived, along with the Honorable Mentions of the day, as per our tradition, listed in alphabetical order:
Kyler Murray rose spectacularly from one of the season’s most challenging setbacks to lead the Cardinals to an impressive blowout victory over the Jets. The Cardinals made a compelling case to be serious contenders for the NFC West title, leaving Aaron Rodgers and his team facing an uncertain path ahead as they looked toward offseason plans.
Murray orchestrated the offense masterfully, completing an astounding 22 of 24 pass attempts for a robust 255 yards, contributing one touchdown while not throwing any interceptions. Moreover, he added dynamic plays on the ground, rushing three times for 21 yards and dashing into the end zone for two more touchdowns.
Editorial Selections
One of his most memorable moments came when Jets linebacker Quincy Williams blitzed uncontested down the right side, striking Murray with such force that his helmet dislodged. Undeterred, Murray rose to his feet, continuing to lead the Cardinals in their dominant performance against New York.
Currently, Arizona holds a narrow half-game lead over the San Francisco 49ers. If Murray maintains this stellar form throughout the remainder of the season, it’s plausible that the Cardinals could remain atop the NFC West and hold off the reigning NFC champions.
Honorable mentions
Carlton Davis III cornerback, Detroit Lions. In the evening matchup, the ball was tossed around with reckless abandon, resulting in seven interceptions, including two by CJ Stroud. Both of these interceptions were snagged by Lions cornerback Davis. Despite a game marred by mistakes and turnovers, Detroit showcased resilience, including Davis’ crucial interceptions, to achieve a stunning comeback against Houston.
Chuba Hubbard, corredor, Carolina Panthers. Hubbard marked the celebration of his recent multimillion-dollar contract with a phenomenal 28-carry, 153-yard performance, along with a touchdown in the Panthers’ surprising win against the Giants in Germany. Additionally, he made contributions in the passing game, adding four receptions for 16 yards in Carolina’s third victory of the season.
Kamari Lassiter, safety, Houston Texans. In the evening game, turnovers were frequent, with most stemming from Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who threw five interceptions. Lassiter intercepted two of those passes, with his second being particularly pivotal following a turnover by CJ Stroud early in the third quarter. Unfortunately, Lassiter had to exit the game due to a concussion after colliding with a teammate while attempting to evade a block.
Bijan Robinson, running back, Atlanta Falcons. For the fourth consecutive time, Robinson made our list of Sunday highlights, showcasing his abilities with a robust 20-carry outing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he caught three receptions for 28 yards during Atlanta’s divisional showdown, despite the team ultimately suffering a loss.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., corredor, New York Giants. German fans were treated to an electrifying running back duel between the Giants and Panthers, with Tracy amassing 103 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Adding suspense to the contest, the game went into overtime, where Tracy unfortunately committed a game-altering fumble that led to the Panthers’ victory. Nevertheless, his overall performance was strong enough to earn recognition in our highlights.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, receptor abierto, New Orleans Saints. The Saints emerged victorious against Atlanta this Sunday, challenging the narrative that the Falcons were a serious contender in the NFC South. Following the firing of head coach Dennis Allen, New Orleans appeared revitalized, with Valdes-Scantling contributing significantly to the win by making three receptions for 109 yards and scoring two touchdowns, demonstrating that impactful plays require relatively few targets.
**Interview with Kyler Murray: The Hero of Week 10**
*Interviewer:* Kyler, what a spectacular performance against the Jets! You completed 22 of 24 passes and added two touchdowns on the ground. How do you feel after such a game?
*Kyler Murray:* Honestly, it feels amazing! I felt in a rhythm from the start. The offensive line gave me enough time, the receivers were getting open, and it just all clicked. This is the kind of football we’ve been striving to play all season.
*Interviewer:* You took quite a hit from Quincy Williams during the game. What was going through your mind at that moment?
*Kyler Murray:* [laughs] Yeah, that was something! It felt like I got hit by a truck. But I’ve learned to take the hits and get back up. It’s part of the game. The important part is to shake it off and keep pushing forward. I think that moment energized the team more than anything.
*Interviewer:* Your performance keeps the Cardinals in the race for the NFC West title. How important is team chemistry in moments like these?
*Kyler Murray:* It’s crucial. We’ve built a strong bond and trust in each other. Everybody’s working hard, and when you see someone like Chuba (Hubbard) or the defense stepping up, it lifts us all. We believe we can compete with anyone.
*Interviewer:* Looking ahead, what does the rest of the season hold for you and the Cardinals?
*Kyler Murray:* We’re focused on one game at a time. We have to keep this momentum going and stay sharp, especially with tough opponents ahead. If we keep playing like this, we’ll surprise a lot of people.
*Interviewer:* Final question—what message do you have for the fans who are cheering you on?
*Kyler Murray:* Just a huge thank you! Your support means the world to us, and we can’t do it without you. Keep believing in us, and we’ll keep giving you reasons to celebrate!
*Interviewer:* Thanks, Kyler! Best of luck for the rest of the season!
*Kyler Murray:* Thanks! Looking forward to it!
