WEEK 3 GAME RELEASE #DETvsAZ Mark Dal ton - Senior Vice Presid ent, Med ia Rel ations Ch ris Mel vin - Director, Med ia Rel ations Mik e Hel m - Manag er, Med ia Rel ations Imani Sube r - Me dia Re latio ns Coordinato r C hase Russe ll - Me dia Re latio ns Coordinator DETROIT LIONS (0-2) VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) State Farm Stadium | September 27, 2020 | 1:25 PM
THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW ARIZONA CARDINALS - 2020 SCHEDULE A er defea ng Washington 30-15 in the home-opener last Sunday, the Cardi- Regular Season nals will try to improve to 3-0 on the year when they host the Detroit Lions at Date Opponent Loca on AZ Time State Farm Stadium this week. Sep. 13 @ San Francisco Levi's Stadium W, 24-20 Sep. 20 WASHINGTON State Farm Stadium W, 30-15 Familiar opponents over the last two decades, the Cardinals and Lions are th Sep. 27 DETROIT State Farm Stadium 1:25 PM squaring off for the 17 me in the last 22 years (1999-2020) and for the eighth Oct. 4 @ Carolina Bank of America Stadium 10:00 AM me in the last nine years. Sunday's game will mark the third me the Cardinals have hosted the Lions at State Farm Stadium in the last three seasons. Arizona Oct. 11 @ N.Y. Jets* MetLife Stadium 10:00 AM is also hos ng Detroit for the sixth me in the last nine seasons. Oct. 19 @ Dallas+ AT&T Stadium 5:15 PM Oct. 25 SEATTLE* State Farm Stadium 1:05 PM The Lions hold a 33-28-6 advantage in the all- me series but the Cardinals have - BYE- won seven of the last 10 mee ngs. They last faced each other in Week 1 last Nov. 8 MIAMI* State Farm Stadium 2:25 PM season, when Arizona came back from an 18-point fourth quarter defi cit to e Nov. 15 BUFFALO* State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM the game at 24 with under a minute remaining before the teams traded FGs in Nov. 19 @ Sea le# CenturyLink Field 6:20 PM OT as the game ended in a 27-27 e. Nov. 29 @ New England* Gille e Stadium 11:00 AM Sunday's game at State Farm Stadium features quarterbacks who were #1 Dec. 6 L.A. RAMS* State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM overall picks. Arizona QB Kyler Murray and Detroit QB Ma hew Staff ord - Dec. 13 @ N.Y. Giants* MetLife Stadium 11:00 AM two of the eight ac ve QBs taken #1 overall in the NFL Dra - square off for Dec. 20 PHILADELPHIA* State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM the second me. The Cardinals made Murray the #1 overall pick in 2019 Dec. 26/27 SAN FRANCISCO^ State Farm Stadium TBD while Staff ord was taken #1 overall by the Lions in 2009. Jan. 3 @ L.A. Rams* SoFi Stadium 2:25 PM WR Larry Fitzgerald will be playing his 112th career game at State Farm Sta- + ESPN Monday Night Football dium on Sunday when he faces the Lions for the 13th me in his 17 NFL sea- # FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Thursday Night Football sons. The Cardinals All-Pro wideout enters Sunday's game with 57 recep ons ^ Date and Time TBD for 681 yards and six TDs against the Lions. * Subject to fl exible scheduling decisions Far less experienced against Detroit is fellow All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins. Following a record-se ng start to his Arizona career, Hopkins will be facing the Lions for just the second me (2016). MURRAY'S FIRST-OF-A-KIND START IN 2020 Facing his former team will be Cardinals LB and Phoenix na ve Devon Ken- nard, who played the last two seasons (2018-19) with the Lions before sign- QB Kyler Murray has led the Cardinals to a 2-0 ing with his hometown team in the off season. With 4.0 sacks in his last two record to start the 2020 season while throwing games played at State Farm Stadium (3.0 last season with the Lions; 1.0 last for 516 yards and two TDs and adding 158 rush- week vs. Washington), Kennard will look to keep his sack streak going against ing yards and three TDs. former teammate Ma hew Staff ord. He is the fi rst QB in the Super Bowl era to pass Following this week's game the Cardinals face a three-game road stretch that for 500+ yards and rush for 150+ yards through will feature consecu ve games on the East Coast (Week 4 @ Carolina; Week the fi rst two games of a season. 5 @ NY Jets) before a Monday Night matchup in Dallas in Week 6. Detroit will Murray is also the fi rst QB in NFL history with 150+ rushing yards and 3+ return home to face New Orleans at Ford Field. rushing TDs in the fi rst two games of a season.
G AME RELEASE INDEX # DETvsAZ - WEEK 3 HIG HLIG HTS Page Contents 2-3 Cardinals-Lions Series Info / State Farm Stadium This week's game marks the 68th all- me matchup between the Cardinals 4 Highlights from Cardinals 2-0 Start in 2020 and Lions, including the eighth mee ng in the last nine seasons. 5 Kyler Murray Highlights With a win this week, Arizona would improve to 4-1 in its last fi ve games. 6 DeAndre Hopkins' Fast Start / Passing of Larry Wilson 7 By The Numbers / What To Look For / Media Guide-Twi er Info With 22 catches in two games, WR DeAndre Hopkins established an NFL 8 Fitz & Hopkins Duo / Captains / Zoom Info record for most recep ons in a player’s fi rst two games with a team. Hopkins' 9 2020 Rookie Class Highlights 22 recep ons lead the NFL and represent the highest total in franchise his- 10 Cards Leadership / Michael Bidwill / Steve Keim / Social Justice Initiatives tory through the fi rst two games of a season. 11 Chandler Jones Highlights 12-15 Larry Fitzgerald Highlights The fi rst three players signed by the Cardinals in free agency this off season 16-17 DeAndre Hopkins Highlights were LBs Devon Kennard and De’Vondre Campbell and DL Jordan Phillips. 18 Kenyan Drake / Chris an Kirk / Chase Edmonds Highlights Through the fi rst two games, the trio has combined for 19 tackles, 3 TFL, 2.0 19 Cardinals Highlights Under Kliff Kingsbury in 2019 sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 passes defensed and a forced fumble. 20-21 Defensive Highlights / Peterson / Hicks / Baker / Special Teams 22-23 Cardinals COVID-19 Relief Eff orts The 2020 season marks just the second me in franchise history (1976) 24-25 Individual Player Notes / Transac ons Arizona posted 400+ net yards and 20+ fi rst downs in each of the fi rst two #-# Rosters / Depth Chart / 2020 Sta s cs games of a season. The team has never done it in the fi rst three games. BROADCAST INFORMATION Television: FOX / Play-By-Play: Dick Stockton Analyst: Brady Quinn Sideline: Sara Walsh Cardinals Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM / Play-By-Play: Dave Pasch Analyst: Ron Wolfl ey Sideline: Paul Calvisi Cardinals Spanish Radio: La no Mix KQMR 100.3 FM / Play-By-Play: Luis Hernandez Analyst: Rolando Cantu
1 #DETvsAZ - CONNEC TIO N S ALL-TIME SERIES This week’s matchup between the Cardinals and Lions represents the 68th all- Lions Connec ons Cardinals LB Devon Kennard played for Detroit from 2018-19 and was me regular season mee ng in a rivalry that dates back to 1930. The Lions hold named the Lions’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2019. a 33-28-6 advantage in the all- me series but the Cardinals have won seven of the last 10 mee ngs between the two teams. Cardinals S Charles Washington was on the Lions roster during his fi rst two Arizona and Detroit have been frequent opponents in the regular season over seasons 2017-18. the last two decades. This week's matchup is the 17th mee ng between the Cardinals O-Line coach Sean Kugler previously served as the Lions TEs two teams in the last 22 years (1999-2020) and the eighth in the last nine years. (2001-03) and O-line/TEs (2004-05) coach. This Sunday's game will mark the third me the Cardinals have hosted the Lions Cardinals DBs coach Marcus Robertson was Detroit’s Asst. Secondary coach at State Farm Stadium in the last three seasons. Arizona is also hos ng Detroit and Secondary coach in 2012 and 2013, respec vely. for the sixth me in the last nine seasons. Cardinals Director of Football Administra on Ma Harriss came to Arizona The series dates back to the days of the Chicago Cardinals and the Portsmouth a er three seasons (2016-18) with the Lions. (OH) Spartans. They fi rst squared off in October of 1930, playing to a 0-0 e in at Universal Stadium in Portsmouth, OH. Coincidentally, the last game they Cardinals Off ensive Assistant Jerry Sullivan coached WRs for the Lions from played against each other was also a e (27-27) in the 2019 season-opener. 1997-00. CARDS-LIONS REGULAR SEASON SERIES Cardinals Special Teams Assistant Derius Swinton II served as an Off ensive Overall Regular Season Series: 28-33-6 Assistant for the Lions in 2018. Cardinals at home vs. DET: 17-14-4 Cardinals Connec ons First Mee ng: 10/5/30 at Portsmouth, T, 0-0 Lions OL Oday Aboushi played eight games for the Cardinals in 2018. Last Mee ng: 9/8/19 vs. Detroit, T, 27-27 Lions RB Adrian Peterson played six games for the Cardinals in 2017. Last Cardinals Win vs. DET: 10/11/15 at Detroit, W, 42-17 Lions WR Marvin Hall spent me on the Cardinals prac ce squad in 2016, Lions VP of Football Administra on Mike Disner was the Cardinals Director HEAD COACHES of Football Administra on from 2013-18. Michigan Connec ons Kliff Kingsbury Ma Patricia Cardinals OL Mason Cole played for the University of Michigan (2014-17). 77-10-1-10-1 OOverallverall RRecordecord 99-24-1-24-1 While playing in Ann Arbor, he started all 51 games and set a school record 7-10-17-10-1 R Regularegular SSeasoneason RecordRecord 9-24-19-24-1 for an o ensive lineman and ed the overall record for a Wolverine player. ff 00-0-0 P Playolayoff RecordRecord 0-00-0 Cardinals Director of Media Rela ons Chris Melvin is a Northville, MI na ve. 2ndnd Y Yearsears aass NFLNFL HeadHead CoachCoach 3rdrd Cardinals Asst. Strength and Condi oning coach Mark Naylor held the same 2nndd YearsYears wwithith TeamTeam 3rdrd posi on at the University of Michigan from 2011-17. Arizona Connec ons Kliff Kingsbury became an NFL head coach for the fi rst me when he Lions Off ensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell is a Yuma, AZ na ve and a ended was hired by the Cardinals on January 11, 2019, coming to Arizona a er Northern Arizona. six seasons (2013-18) as the head coach at his alma mater, Texas Tech. In Kingsbury’s fi rst season with the Cardinals, the off ense went from #32 College/Pro Connec ons overall in scoring in 2018 to #16 in 2019 and went from #32 overall in Lions Execu ve Vice President and General Manager Bob Quinn (2000-15) worked in the Patriots personnel department when Cardinals Head Coach scoring drives in 2018 to number #9. Known for his work with QBs in the Kli Kingsbury (2003) and LB Chandler Jones (2012) were dra ed by New college ranks, Kingsbury helped guide fi rst-year signal-caller Kyler Mur- ff ray, the #1 overall pick in the 2019 dra , to AP NFL Off ensive Rookie of England. the Year honors last season. While at Texas Tech, Kingsbury served as Lions Head Coach Ma Patricia (2004-17) was the Patriots Defensive Co- the play-caller for one of college football's most explosive off enses that ordinator while LB Chandler Jones (2012-15), Lions DE Trey Flowers (2015- ranked in the top-20 in total off ense all six seasons. A former star QB at 18), LB Jamie Collins Sr. (2013-16), S Duron Harmon (2013-19) and WR Dan- Texas Tech, Kingsbury was dra ed by the Patriots in the sixth round of ny Amendola (2013-17) played for the team. Cardinals Director of Football the 2003 NFL Dra and also spent me with the Saints and Jets during Opera ons Ma Caracciolo (2005-11) shared me with Quinn and Patricia his playing career. in New England. Named the 27th head coach in franchise history on February 5, 2018, Ma Cardinals LB De’Vondre Campbell (2016-19) played with Lions WR Mar- Patricia is in his third season with the Lions and his third season as a head vin Hall (2017-18) and CB Desmond Trufant (2013-18) on the Falcons. coach in the NFL. Prior to being named head coach in Detroit, Patricia Cardinals CB Byron Murphey Jr. (2017-18) and Lions TE Hunter Bryant spent six seasons (2012-17) as defensive coordinator in New England. Pa- (2017-19) played together at Washington. tricia had been with the Patriots organiza on since 2004 and helped the franchise win three Super Bowl Championships, six AFC Conference tles Lions DL Da’Shawn Hand (2014-17), LB Reggie Ragland (2012-15), Car- and 13 AFC East tles. During Patricia's six seasons as defensive coordina- dinals RB Kenyan Drake (2012-15) and S Deionte Thompson (2015-18) tor in New England, the Patriots accumulated an NFL-best 75-21 record played together at Alabama. and second in points allowed per game (19.2). Cardinals OL J.R. Sweezy (2012-15, ’18) played for the Seahawks while Lions Off ensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell (2011-17) was Sea le’s Of- fensive Coordinator. SEASON STATISTICS Cardinals LB Tanner Vallejo (2019) played with Lions RB Adrian Peterson (2018-19) in Washington. StatisticStatistic AAZZ RRankank DDETET RRankank Cardinals OL Kelvin Beachum (2017-19) and Lions CB Darryl Roberts Points Scored/Game 27.0 12 22.0 t-21 (2016-19) played together with the New York Jets. Points Allowed/Game 17.5 2 34.5 30 TDs Scored 6 t-12 5 t-21 Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (2013-19) played with Lions OL Oday TDs Allowed 4 t-4 8 t-29 Aboushi (2015-16) in Houston. Rushing TDs 4 t-3 2 t-14 Lions QB Chase Daniel (2010-12, ’17), RB Adrian Peterson (2017), Car- Passing TDs 2 t-20 3 t-13 dinals S Chris Banjo (2016-18) and CB Ken Crawley (2016-19) played to- Return TDs 0 t-5 0 t-5 gether in New Orleans. Rushing TDs Allowed 1 t-4 2 t-10 Lions DL John Penisini (2017-19), Cardinals DT Leki Fotu (2016-19) and Passing TDs Allowed 3 t-11 5 t-25 LB Kylie Fi s (2016-17) played together at Utah. Return TDs Allowed 0 t-1 1 t-5 Cardinals RBs coach James Saxon (2011-13) held the same posi on in Sacked/Yards Lost 5/14 t-18 5/35 t-18 Minnesota and coached Lions RB Adrian Peterson (2007-16). Cardinals Fumbles/Lost 3/0 t-1 0/0 t-1 Off ensive Assistant/Asst. QBs coach Cam Turner (2011-12) was Assistant Field Goals Made 4/6 t-7 3/5 t-11 to the Head Coach at this me as well. Total Yards/Game 421.0 6 366.5 17 Lions LB Jamie Collins Sr. (2016-18) played with Cardinals DL Trevon Col- Opp. Total Yards/Game 341.0 7 425.5 28 ey (2017-18), K Zane Gonzalez (2017-18) and LB Tanner Vallejo (2018) in Rushing Yards/Game 170.0 5 113.5 18 Cleveland. Lions DT Danny Shelton (2015-17) played for Cleveland dur- Opp. Rushing Yards/Game 120.0 15 204.0 32 ing this me as well along with Cardinals Off ensive Quality Control Jim Passing Yards/Game 251.0 13 253.0 11 Dray (2014-15) who played TE. Opp. Passing Yards/Game 221.0 8 221.5 9 Cardinals DL Zach Allen and Lions S Will Harris were four-year (2015-18) Turnover Ratio Even t-15 -2 t-25 teammates at Boston College. Average Time of Possession 32:36 7 28:05 24
2 CARDS OPEN HOME SLATE WITH A WIN THE LAST TIME THEY MET
Following a 30-15 victory vs. On Sunday - for the second me in their last nine home games - the Cardi- Washington last week in their nals are hos ng the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. The last me the two 15th home opener at State Farm teams met was in Week 1 last season when they played to a 27-27 e. Stadium, the Cardinals remain at Below are some highlights from the Week 1 matchup last season: home this week as they host the th Detroit Lions. Arizona overcame an 18-point 4 quarter defi cit to e the game 24-24 with just 0:43 remaing in the 4th With the victory over Washing- quater on a Kyler Murray to Larry Fitzgerald 4-yard ton last week, Arizona improved TD pass. The teams then traded FGs in the OT period. to 10-5 in home openers at State It was the 41st game in Cardinals history to end in Farm Stadium. a e but just the second in the last 34 years (1987- Opened in 2006, State Farm Sta- 2020). It was the sixth all- me e between the Lions dium has proved a catalyst for and Cardinals. the Cardinals success in the last decade-plus. Improbable Comeback: Entering the game, the The Cardinals have posted a winning record at home in eight of 14 full seasons Cardinals had a 2-288 record in games in which they at State Farm Stadium, earning four playo berths and three NFC West tles trailed by at least 18 points in the 4 quarter. Arizona ff had lost 96 consecu ve games in which it trailed by during that me. The Cardinals fi nished .500 or be er just twice and made th the playo s only one me in 18 seasons prior. at least 18 points in the 4 quarter before coming ff back to earn a e vs. Detroit. Below is a look at the results at State Farm Stadium compared to 18 seasons A er scoring just once on its fi rst 10 drives, Arizona scored on fi ve of its fi nal at Sun Devil Stadium. six drives in the comeback. Overall Comparison 14+ seasons at 18 seasons at Murray Leads Comeback in Debut: Making his NFL debut, Murray complet- Sta s c State Farm Stadium Sun Devil Stadium ed 29-of-54 pass a empts for 308 yards, 2 TDs, an INT and a 75.2 pass ra ng Sellouts 144 12 against the Lions. He sparked the comeback with his performance in the 4th Regular Season Home Record 65-46-2 64-80 quarter and OT when he completed 20-of-29 pass a empts (68.9%) for 238 Home Win % .584 .444 Postseason Record 5-4 1-1 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs and a 116.7 passer ra ng. He became the fi rst rookie QB in Postseason Home Record 4-0 0-0 franchise history to throw for 300+ yards in his fi rst-ever game. Seasons w/ Winning Record 5 1 Seasons w/ Winning Home Record 8 4 Postseason Berths 4 1 # 1 OVERALL PIC KS Division Titles 3 0 Conference Championship Games 2 0 Super Bowl Appearances 1 0 There is only one Week 3 match-up that features quarterbacks who were In fi ve seasons between 2013-17, the Cardinals posted a winning record #1 overall picks. That game will take place in Arizona when Cardinals QB each season, which represents the longest such streak in franchise history. Kyler Murray squares off against Lions QB Ma hew Staff ord at State Farm Between 2007-17 Arizona posted a record of .500 or be er in 11 consecu- Stadium. ve seasons. It marks the second consecu ve season Murray and Staff ord have squared 14 SEASONS AND 144 SELLOUTS off at State Farm Stadium. Arizona and Detroit met in Week 1 last year and played to a 27-27 e. It was the fi rst and only game in either QB's career Arizona sold out every game (preseason and postseason included) in the fi rst that ended in a e. 14 seasons at the venue. There were only 12 games that sold out in me to be televised locally in 18 years at Sun Devil Stadium. The Cardinals made Murray - the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner - the #1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Dra out of Oklahoma. Staff ord was taken #1 BIRD GANG BRINGS THE NOISE - ONE OF THE NFL'S LOUDEST VENUES overall by the Lions in the 2009 NFL Dra out of Georgia. Da ng back to the inaugural year at State Farm Stadium in 2006, Cards op- ponents have accumulated 180 accepted false start penal es in the regular There are eight QBs taken with the #1 overall pick in the NFL Dra currently season. That is the most for any home team in the NFL during that span. ac ve. NFL Leaders - Opponent False Start Penal es (2006-) Ac ve QBs Dra ed 1st Overall Rnk Home Team FS Stadium Dra Yr Quarterback Team 1 Cardinals 180 State Farm Stadium 2020 Joe Burrow Cincinna 2 Titans 161 Nissan Stadium 2019 Kyler Murray Arizona 3 Seahawks 160 CenturyLink Field 2018 Baker Mayfi eld Cleveland 4 Vikings 152 U.S. Bank Stadium/Metrodome/TCF Bank 2016 Jared Goff L.A. Rams 5 Lions 147 Ford Field 2015 Jameis Winston Tampa Bay 2011 Cam Newton Carolina 2009 Ma hew Staff ord Detroit FITZ ON THE VERGE OF STADIUM HISTORY 2005 Alex Smith San Francisco
Last week's home-opener vs. Washington was TOP PERFORMANCES VS. DETROIT WR Larry Fitzgerald’s 111th career game at State Farm Stadium. He has now appeared in 111 of 113 regular season games played at the venue since it The all- me series between Arizona and Detroit dates back to 1930, and the opened in 2006. Fitzgerald has also played in all 15 two teams have faced each other 67 mes. Below are some of the Cardinals home openers at State Farm Stadium. top performances all- me vs. the Lions. The 11- me Pro Bowler caught seven passes Sta s c Total Player Date Total Points 18 (2x) last Beanie Wells 12/16/12 vs. Det against Washington last Sunday, giving him 645 Total TDs 3 (2x) last Beanie Wells 12/16/12 vs. Det career recep ons at State Farm Stadium. He en- ters this week's game vs. Detroit needing just two Longest TD 102 (INT) Greg Toler 12/16/12 vs. Det recep ons to pass Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (646 at Rushing Yards 133 Michael Pi man 11/14/99 vs. Det Candles ck Park) for the most recep ons in NFL Rushing Avg. 9.4 Chris Johnson 10/11/15 @ Det history in a single stadium. Rushing TDs 3 (2x) last Beanie Wells 12/16/12 vs. Det Longest TD Run 82 Elmer Angsman 10//23/49 vs. Det NFL History – Recep ons By Stadium Rnk Player (Team) Rec Stadium Receiving Yards 217 Anquan Boldin 9/7/03 @ Det 1 Jerry Rice (SF) 646 Candles ck Park Recep ons 10 (3x) last Anquan Boldin 9/7/03 @ Det 2 Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) 645 State Farm Stadium Receiving TDs 2 (8x) last Michael Floyd 11/16/14 vs. Det 3 Andre Johnson (Hou) 560 NRG Stadium Longest TD Recep on 71 (2x) last Anquan Boldin 9/7/03 @ Det 4 Cris Carter (Min) 531 Mall of America Passing Yards 359 Kurt Warner 11/10/96 @ Was 5 Marvin Harrison (Ind) 515 RCA Dome Passing TDs 4 (2x) last Jake Plummer 11/18/01 vs. Det Fitzgerald's 7,909 career receiving yards at State Farm Stadium rank second in Passer Ra ng 158.3 M.C. Reynolds 12/6/59 @ Det NFL history for a single venue behind Rice (9,403 at Candles ck Park). Comple on Pct. 78.9 Carson Palmer 10/11/15 @ Det Longest TD Pass 71 Je Blake 9/7/03 @ Det NFL History – Receiving Yards By Stadium ff Rnk Player (Team) Yds Gms Stadium Sacks 2.5 Calvin Pace 11/11/07 vs. Det 1 Jerry Rice (SF) 9,403 119 Candles ck Park Intercep ons 3 Perry Smith 12/3/78 vs. Det 2 Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) 7,909 111 State Farm Stadium Long Fumble Return 102t* Greg Toler 12/16/12 vs. Det 3 Andre Johnson (Hou) 7,776 88 NRG Stadium Field Goals 4 (3x) last Zane Gonzalez 9/8/19 vs. Det 4 Marvin Harrison (Ind) 7,189 87 RCA Dome Long Field Goal 55 Greg Davis 9/17/95 @ Det 5 Steve Largent (Sea) 6,822 101 Kingdome *Franchise Record 3 ARIZONA IMPROVES TO 2-0 WITH VICTORY OVER WASHINGTON
2-0 AND TIED ATOP THE NFC WEST OFFENSE CONTINUES TO ROL L
The Cardinals defeated Washington 30-15 in A er pos ng 404 total yards in the victory Arizona’s 2020 home opener at State Farm Sta- over San Francisco in Week 1, the Cardinals dium last week. Arizona has now started a sea- upped that total in Week 2 and fi nished with son 2-0 for the fi rst me since 2015 and just the 438 total yards (160 rushing; 278 passing) in sixth me in the last 30 seasons (2020, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2008, 1991). the victory over Washington. A er going 2-11-1 in the month of September It marks the sixth me Arizona reached 400+ over the previous four seasons (2016-19), the total yards in 18 games under head coach Cardinals have now kicked off the fi rst month of Kliff Kingsbury. Arizona reached 400+ yards the 2020 season with a 2-0 record. just once over the two seasons combined (2017-18) prior to Kingsbury’s arrival. LEADING THE WAY IN THE NFL'S TOP DIVISION Through two weeks, Arizona sits atop the win- The 2020 season marks just the second me in franchise history (1976) that the ningest division in the NFL. The NFC West has Cardinals have posted 400+ net yards and 20+ fi rst downs in each of the fi rst two compiled a 7-1 record so far in 2020. No other games of a season. division has more than fi ve wins. The NFC West is just the second division since division realignment in 2002 to have a least Only fi ve mes in franchise history have the Cardinals had more net yards in the seven wins through the rst two weeks of a season (AFC West in 2002). fi rst two games of a season than they have in 2020. Arizona’s 842 yards are the fi most through two games since the team had 903 yards in 1984. The NFC West is also the only division in which each team has a posi ve point di eren al. Franchise History – Most Yards Thru 2 Games ff Rnk Year Yds Rush Pass 2020 NFC West Standings 1 1984 903 378 525 Team W L PF PA Hm Road Div Conf 2 1976 876 489 387 Arizona 2 0 54 35 1-0 1-0 1-0 2-0 3 1947 867 280 587 L.A. Rams 2 0 57 36 1-0 1-0 0-0 2-0 4 1958 861 384 477 Sea le 2 0 73 55 1-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 5 1965 846 201 645 San Francisco 1 1 51 37 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 6t 2020 842 340 502 6t 1959 842 351 491 The Cardinals have 340 rushing yards and 502 net passing yards in 2020. It’s just DEFENSE GETS IT DONE AGAIN the second me in franchise history Arizona has had 300+ rushing yards and 500+ passing yards through two games. In 1984, the Cardinals had 378 rushing yards and 525 passing yards through two games. On the birthday of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Arizona’s defense held Wash- Through two games, the Arizona off ense ranks: ington scoreless in the fi rst half and allowed NFL Off ensive Rankings in 2020 just 15 points in the win last week. Da ng Sta s c NFL Rnk back to last season, it marks the third me Total Plays (151) 2ⁿ in the last four games Arizona held an oppo- Big Play Runs (12) t-2ⁿ nent to 20 points or fewer. Rushing 1st Downs (21) 3 Through the fi rst two weeks of the 2020 sea- Rushing TDs (4) t-3 son, Arizona ranks second in the NFL allowing Rushing Yards/Game (170.0) 5 just 17.5 points per game. Total Net Yards/Game (421.0) 6 Time of Possession Avg (32:36) 6 NFL Leaders - Points Allowed/Game (2020) Scoring Drives (10) t-7 Rnk Team PPG Big Plays (17) 7 1 Bal more 11.0 1st Downs (51) t-6 2 Arizona 17.5 Total TDs (6) t-13 3t Chicago 18.0 Points/Game (27.0) t-12 3t L.A. Rams 18.0 Passing Yards/Game (251.0) 13 3t L.A. Chargers 18.0 LONG SUNDAY DRIVES IN 2020 The Cardinals held Washington to four conversions on 12 3rd down a empts (33%) last week. Through two games, opponents have converted just six of Of the Cardinals six scoring drives in last week's win, four consisted of at least 10 23 a empts on 3rd down. That 26.1% conversion rate leads the NFL. plays and three covered at least 70 yards. Through two games, Arizona has fi ve scoring drives of 10+ plays (14, 12, 1, 10, 10) and fi ve scoring drives of 70+ yards NFL Leaders – Opponent 3rd Down Conv. Pct. (2020) (94, 75, 75, 75, 74). Rnk Team Pct A Conv 1 Arizona 26.1 23 6 SPREADING THE BALL AROUND 2 Bal more 28.6 21 6 In the victory over Washington, Arizona had four diff erent players post 50+ receiv- 3 Chicago 31.0 29 9 ing yards – DeAndre Hopkins (68), Andy Isabella (67), Chris an Kirk (57) and Larry 4 Denver 32.1 28 9 Fitzgerald (50) - and two diff erent players rush for 60+ yards - Kenyan Drake (86) 5 Detroit 34.8 23 8 and Kyler Murray (67). A GROWING TREND FOR ARIZONA DEFENSE Da ng back to the fi nal four games of last season, Arizona’s defense under Joseph ranks: PILING UP YARDS O N THE GR OUND NFL Defensive Ranks (Since Week 14 of 2019) Sta s c Rnk rd A er pos ng 180 rushing yards and two TDs on 36 a empts (5.0 avg.) in Week 1 Rushing TDs Allowed (3) t-3 at San Francisco, the Cardinals rushed for 160 yards and two TDs on 32 a empts Passing Yards/Game (210.3) 4 (5.0 avg.) vs. Washington last week. It marks the fi rst me since 1979 the Cardinals Sacks (17) t-5 Net Yards Allowed/Game (333.0) 8 rushed for 160+ yards in each of the fi rst two games of a season. Points Allowed/Game (21.0) t-8 Last week's contest marked the seventh me the Cardinals have rushed for 150+ Yards/Play Allowed (5.26) 9 yards in 18 games under Kliff Kingsbury. Arizona had seven such games in the TDs Allowed (13) t-10 three seasons (2016-18) prior to his arrival. Comple on % Allowed (63.3) t-12 SACKS FOR EVERYONE Through two weeks, Arizona’s 340 rushing Four diff erent Cardinals defenders recorded their fi rst sack of the season yards rank fi h in the NFL. in the victory over Washington last week: Corey Peters, Devon Kennard, NFL Leaders – Team Rushing Yards (2020) Jordan Phillips and Haason Reddick. Through two games, seven di erent ff Rnk Team Yds A Avg Arizona defenders have a sack. 1 Green Bay 417 67 6.2 FREE AGENT TRIO MAKING STRONG EARLY IMPRESSION 2 Cleveland 353 62 5.7 The fi rst three players signed by the Cardinals in free agency this off season 3 L.A. Rams 344 79 4.4 were LBs Devon Kennard and De’Vondre Campbell and DL Jordan Phillips. 4 Bal more 341 67 5.1 Through the fi rst two games this season, the trio has combined for 19 tack- 5 Arizona 340 68 5.0 les, 3 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 passes defensed and a forced fumble. In 18 games under Kingsbury, the Cardinals have rushed for 2,330 yards and 22 DEFENSE MAKING A STAND TDs on 464 carries (5.02 avg.). That is an average of 129.4 yards per game. A er making a game-changing goal line stand in Week 1 at San Francisco, the Cardinals defense held Washington to one TD in three red zone posses- With the victory over Washington last Sunday, Arizona improved to 6-1 in games it sions and no TDs in two goal-to-goal situa ons last week. has rushed for 150+ yards under Kingsbury. 4 KYLER MURRAY - AT A G LANCE MURRAY DOING IT ALL TO START YEAR TWO