PHILADELPHIA — The Arizona Cardinals' penultimate game of the season turned out to be one of their biggest wins of the season as they moved to 4-12 after upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles, 35-31.
The first half of the game was dominated by Philadelphia as the Eagles went into halftime up 21-6. But Arizona Head Coach Jonathan Gannon said the energy and focus in the locker room was good and his team never felt that they were out of the game.
"I was really proud of them down 21-6 vs. a good team," Gannon said. "You could lay down there and get beat by 30, our guys did not do that, so, really just happy for the guys, how they responded all week, and a good win on the road vs. a good football team."
Part of the reason for the Cardinals' victory was the play of Quarterback Kyler Murray. He finished the game 25/31 for 232 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time Murray had thrown three touchdowns in a game since Oct. 30, 2022.
Murray was nearly perfect in the second half, completing 13 of his 14 passes for 133 yards and all three of his touchdowns, leading the Cardinals to touchdowns on all four of their possessions and even completing a two-point conversion. His teammates and head coach had nothing but praise after the game.
"The guy, like, he’s a monster. He’s awesome," Tight End Trey McBride said. "I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s a heck of a player. He played really well today and I’m happy for him, I’m happy for everybody, this was just a full team win and I’m just fired up for all these guys."
"He was just operating," Running Back James Conner said. "He was operating well and just marching us downfield. We had a lot of long-play drives and he was just dicing back there, getting us lined up, getting us organized and just making it shake for us. And so, (we) needed him today. Big win for us."
"He was phenomenal," Wide Receiver Michael Wilson said. "I feel like that’s the Kyler that we all love and know. And I’m so happy that he was able to showcase that and just play with that type of poise and consistency, that charisma in the pocket, you know, commanding and leading the team. It was a joy to be a part of and play and be a part of his legacy."
"He was lights out," Gannon said. "I told those guys, it’s a really tough place to play. It’s a great place to play, the environment’s legit. It’s an unbelievable sports city, you know what I mean, but I thought he made plays. He hung in there, he made plays with his legs, he was accurate, he found the open people, got us in the right stuff. I didn’t have to take any timeouts with delays. That’s always a thing when it’s loud on the road. I thought he was lights out today."
One of the highlights for the Cardinals was their rushing attack, which finished with 221 yards. James Conner had his best game of the season, rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown, along with a five-yard one-handed touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. Conner said their success running the ball was "a total team effort."
"The receivers and tight ends, they were blocking downfield well but also making plays to keep the chains moving," Conner said. "And then our offensive line, they showed up all day. They were setting the tone throughout the week of practice and they carried over today. And so, you can’t go for a yard without them and so they really came to play today and it was a successful game on the ground and through the air."
The Cardinals won the game after Murray led the team on a game-winning seven-play, 70-yard drive, which was capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Conner with just 32 seconds remaining. Gannon had a simple message for his offense before the drive.
"Go win the game," Gannon said. "They knew they were going to get the ball back and have to score to win or tie the game. And I felt really good after the two-minute (warning) there. To look in (Murray’s) eye, I got on the headset and said 'Guys, we’re going to win the game.' I could see it in his face. So, and that’s what he did."
This game also meant a lot to the team as it was their head coach's first game against his former team since being hired in February. And the players were clear after the game. They wanted to win this one for Gannon.
"I know he wanted to win it really badly," Murray said. "I know the guys felt that energy from him and we wanted to come out here and do it for him."
"I think this was a big one. Obviously, you know, a former team, you probably had a lot to prove," McBride said. "And for him, I’m sure it meant the world to beat his former team and things like that. But it’s more about just the way we played, it was awesome, we played really well, it was a team effort and that was a lot of fun."
"It was nice, man," Conner said. "We wanted to do it for (Gannon). (I've) got all the respect for him, he just keeps us together, keeps the message the same and it’s always nice to come back, come back where he came from and get a victory."
Gannon, however, had a different take on his return to the City of Brotherly Love, where he spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles.
"It’s just another (game)," Gannon said.
Arizona's first-year head coach added that he is very thankful for his time in Philadelphia.
"We touched down Friday night and I’m not nostalgic, but this place was awesome for me," Gannon said. "Working for (Philadelphia Head Coach) Nick (Sirianni) and the Philadelphia Eagles, you guys know, like, I loved it here. And that’s the reason that I’m sitting at the podium right now. That’s a huge reason, that organization and (Eagles owner) Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie and (Eagles Executive Vice President) Howie (Roseman) and Nick."
The Cardinals have just one game remaining this season. They'll host the Seattle Seahawks next week, but the date and time of the game have yet to be announced. But getting a win over the Eagles in Week 17 was a big confidence builder for the organization.
"I think obviously it’s huge just to get a win, close out the new year, man, this is awesome, this is fun," McBride said. "Obviously, we’ve got one more game at home vs. Seattle, but yeah, just to get a win like this against a really good football team, a team going to the playoffs, it just kind of gives you hope, kind of gives you momentum going into the offseason that you can build on and come back next year stronger."
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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