Beware of Murray and Harrison Jr.’s Cardinals

After the loss in Buffalo in Week 1, no one talked about the Arizona Cardinals. It makes sense. Why talk about a team that has had two seasons with a 4-13 record and that in the last eight years has only one Playoffs appearance?

However, Arizona was ahead 17-3 at the end of the second quarter and came within a field goal (28-31) halfway through the fourth quarter in Buffalo. In the end, the Bills, who won easily in Miami last Thursday, suffered to beat the Cardinals at home.

A week later, Arizona -an underdog in its own stadium- humiliated the Rams behind a standout performance from quarterback Kyler Murray and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr.

Murray completed 81 percent of his passes (21 of 17) for 266 yards and three touchdowns, including some incredible plays in which he bought time behind the pocket, eluded defenders and then connected with his receivers on long-yardage plays.

Murray is the second quarterback in NFL history with at least 250 passing yards, 50 rushing yards and a perfect 158.3 rating in a single game, something only Ken Anderson of the Cincinnati Bengals had accomplished on Nov. 3, 1974.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a grade of 96.9, the best among all NFL quarterbacks this season.

His best ally was a rookie, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was heavily criticized after his debut in Buffalo, where he had three targets and one reception for four yards. Against the Rams, Harrison Jr. was Murray’s favorite target with eight targets, four receptions, 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yarder that made it 14-0 halfway through the first quarter. Also worth mentioning in the Cardinals’ offense is tight end Trey McBride, who had six targets, six receptions and 67 yards.

As a curious fact, McBride scored his first touchdown of the season, but it was not thanks to a reception but because he recovered a fumble in the end zone to seal Arizona’s 41-10 rout.

McBride, Murray and Harrison Jr. were part of PFF’s team of the week.

Next up: Detroit Lions

The Cardinals return home Sunday, hosting the Detroit Lions, who lost 20-16 to Tampa Bay last week despite dominating the Buccaneers 463-216 in total yards.

Jared Goff, who led the Lions to the NFC Championship Game last season, is off to a shaky start in 2024, with just one touchdown pass and three interceptions.

Goff could have more troubles in Arizona if his top receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown (concussion and cramps), can’t play Sunday. St. Brown had a strong game against the Bucs, with 11 catches for 119 yards (after his three catches for 13 yards in Week 1) and the Lions missed him on the final six plays of the game as they tried to rally against Tampa Bay.

Detroit’s offense doesn’t seem equipped to compete with Murray and Arizona’s explosive attack, so perhaps the best option for head coach Dan Campbell is to run the ball with David Montgomery, who has 126 yards and two touchdowns in two weeks.

Long, clock-consuming drives that keep Murray off the field are the smartest thing the Lions can do in this game.

Because if the Cardinals take a quick two-score lead —as they did in the first two games of the season— I don’t see how Detroit can stop this train in the desert.

Pick: Cardinals 28-21 Lions.

Close games… as usual

Of the 16 games in Week 2, exactly half (eight) were won by the underdogs, and five of them were on the road: Saints, Browns, Raiders, Buccaneers and Falcons on Monday Night Football. Additionally, 12 games were decided by eight points or less, including five that were decided in the final minute of regulation or overtime.

After two weeks, a total of 22 of 32 games (68.7%) have been decided by eight points or less.

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