Ah, the Arizona Cardinals. Just when you think they’re about to take flight, they remind us why they’re the Cardinals. This time, it was a heartbreaking 23-22 loss to the Vikings in Minneapolis – a city where they haven’t won since 1977! Kyler Murray, who’s been playing like an MVP candidate this season, had another one of those “Cardinals moments” that leave fans scratching their heads.
It all came down to the final minutes. The Vikings, led by Sam Darnold, took the lead with just over a minute to go on a touchdown pass to Aaron Jones. With the game on the line, Kyler had a chance to answer. But instead of magic, we got a backbreaking interception intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. – his second pick of the day. Just like that, the Cardinals’ hopes were dashed.
This game raises the question that’s been on Cardinals fans’ minds for a while now: Can Kyler Murray be the guy to lead this team to the promised land?
He’s got all the tools: the arm, the legs, the ability to make something out of nothing. But when it comes to winning those crucial games, especially on the road, Kyler seems to come up short.
Don’t get me wrong, he put up decent numbers in this one: 260 yards, one touchdown. But those two interceptions loomed large, especially compared to Darnold’s efficient performance (235 yards, two touchdowns, and a sparkling 111.6 QBR).
Look, if this game was all about flashy plays and big throws, Kyler would be your guy. But to win in this league, you need more than just highlights. You need a quarterback who can make the right decisions under pressure, and that’s where the questions about Kyler start to creep in.
The Cardinals have a lot of talent, with guys like Trey McBride and James Conner stepping up. But if they want to be more than just a flash in the pan, they need Kyler to take that next step. Can he do it? That’s the million-dollar question in the desert.
