The Cardinals enter the playoff hunt after winning two straight games for the first time since 2021

Associated Press

After two and a half seasons as an NFL byproduct, the Arizona Cardinals are back in the playoff hunt.

The Cardinals (4-4) cruised to a 28-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday thanks to another outstanding fourth quarter from Kyler Murray, who directed two long touchdown drives. Arizona never led until Chad Ryland made a 34-yard field goal as time expired.

Murray threw for a season-high 307 yards.

“He has a really good attitude,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. “There were some great, instinctive plays.”

The Cardinals have won two games in a row for the first time since 2021. Now they share first place in the NFC West with the 49ers and Seahawks and have legitimate postseason hopes after two straight 4-13 seasons.

More importantly, they gain another trait that particularly excites Gannon in late game situations.

“Confidence,” Gannon said. “Confidence. And they know that with our quarterback they have a chance to win. So if they just do their job and do their best, our quarterback can do it. So they have a lot of confidence when they compete out there.”

Murray has been great, but he’s far from the only reason the Cardinals have won three of their last four. Tight end Trey McBride and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. each totaled more than 100 yards on Sunday, and James Conner had some big runs late.

Arizona has played one of the toughest schedules in the NFL so far this season, which makes its 4-4 record more respectable. As the calendar turns to November, the Cardinals are on the rise, even if Gannon isn’t ready to celebrate just yet.

“Winning is hard,” Gannon said. “Our guys know it takes a whole week to get ready to go and give yourself a chance to win.”

What works

The connection between Murray and Harrison was the best all season.

Harrison was targeted seven times and caught six passes for 111 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown in the third quarter that sparked the Cardinals.

Harrison – the No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State – had an inconsistent rookie season, but the ceiling was very high. Murray never lost faith in Harrison, who endured plenty of outside criticism after a handful of unproductive games.

“He hears it. I hear. It’s hard not to hear it,” Murray said. “At the end of the day he has to be himself and get better every week. That’s all we have to do. It will get there. (It) doesn’t happen overnight, you know what I mean?”

What needs help

It wasn’t a great day for the defense, allowing Miami to convert 11 of 15 third downs. Tua Tagovailoa was sacked just once, highlighting Arizona’s shaky pass rush. Still, the unit was good enough in the second half to give the Cardinals a chance to rally.

Stock up

McBride looked like a star on Sunday, catching nine passes for 124 yards. Murray said that the third-year player can be one of the top tight ends in the NFL and that he definitely performed well against the Dolphins by making tough catches, showing athleticism in the open field and presented himself confidently.

“He’s not a one-trick pony,” Gannon said. “In my opinion, he is truly elite when he has the ball in his hands.”

Inventory reduced

The Cardinals fell into a 10-0 hole early – one of several slow starts they’ve had this season. It didn’t hurt them against Miami, but that’s a tough way to win games on a consistent basis.

Injuries

DT Naquan Jones (hamstring) left the game late, but Gannon was confident it wouldn’t be a long-term issue.

Key numbers

3 – The Cardinals offensive line did not allow a sack for the third straight game. Part of the credit for this goes to the agile Murray, but the line holds up – even if three starters were sidelined due to injuries against Miami. Second-year LT Paris Johnson Jr. is the group’s moderator.

“A lot of guys win one-on-one,” Gannon said.

Next Steps

The Cardinals will try to make it three straight wins next Sunday against Chicago (4-3).

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