WEEK 9 GAME RELEASE #MIAvsAZ 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 MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-3) VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-2) State Farm Stadium | November 8, 2020 | 2:25 PM
THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW ARIZONA CARDINALS - 2020 SCHEDULE Arizona returns from its bye week to host the Miami Dolphins at State Farm Regular Season Stadium. Both teams enter the contest with a three-game winning streak on Date Opponent Loca on AZ Time the line. Sep. 13 @ San Francisco Levi's Stadium W, 24-20 Sep. 20 WASHINGTON State Farm Stadium W, 30-15 With a 5-2 record the Cardinals have the NFL's #1 ranked off ense (419.1 ypg) Sep. 27 DETROIT State Farm Stadium L, 23-26 and #8 ranked scoring off ense (29.0 ppg) and they will face a Dolphins team Oct. 4 @ Carolina Bank of America Stadium L 21-31 that features the NFL's #1 ranked scoring defense (18.6 ppg). Oct. 11 @ N.Y. Jets MetLife Stadium W, 30-10 The Cardinals enter Sunday's game having scored 30+ points in each of the Oct. 19 @ Dallas+ AT&T Stadium W, 38-10 last three games while Miami has allowed 17 or fewer in each of its last three Oct. 25 SEATTLE~ State Farm Stadium W, 37-34 (OT) ou ngs. - BYE- th Nov. 8 MIAMI State Farm Stadium 2:25 PM Sunday's game marks just the 13 all- me matchup between the two teams Nov. 15 BUFFALO State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM da ng back to 1972. Miami holds a 9-3 advantage in the series but Arizona has taken three of the last four. Nov. 19 @ Sea le# CenturyLink Field 6:20 PM Nov. 29 @ New England* Gille e Stadium 11:00 AM Four of the last fi ve games in this series have been decided by three points or Dec. 6 L.A. RAMS* State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM fewer. In the last mee ng (Week 14 of 2016), the Dolphins won 26-23 on a FG Dec. 13 @ N.Y. Giants* MetLife Stadium 11:00 AM as me expired in regula ob on a rainy a ernoon in Miami. Dec. 20 PHILADELPHIA* State Farm Stadium 2:05 PM This week's game marks the Dolphins fourth-ever visit to Arizona and fi rst Dec. 26/27 SAN FRANCISCO^ State Farm Stadium TBD since 2012. Arizona is 2-0 at home against Miami at State Farm Stadium. Jan. 3 @ L.A. Rams* SoFi Stadium 2:25 PM As part of the league’s long-standing support of America’s armed forces, the + ESPN Monday Night Football Cardinals are honoring current and former military by taking part in the NFL’s ~ NBC Sunday Night Football Salute to Service campaign at this Sunday's game. Since 2011, the NFL’s Sa- # FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Thursday Night Football lute to Service campaign has raised more than $44 million for military and ^ Date and Time TBD veteran nonprofi t organiza ons. Cardinals coaches and staff will wear special * Subject to fl exible scheduling decisions NFL-issued Salute to Service branding and gameday apparel. Cardinals Cheer- leaders, the drumline, and fl ag teams will all be dressed in Salute to Service themed uniforms. Each Cardinals player will wear a #40 s cker on his helmet to honor former #MIAvsAZ - WEEK 9 HIG HLIG HTS Cardinals safety Pat Tillman and will also use camoufl age towels, hats and gloves on the sidelines. The Cardinals and Dolphins meet for just the 13th time in a series Miami leads Sunday's game will also serve as the second head-to-head matchup between 9-3. Arizona has won three of the last four games between the two teams, and QBs who piloted two of the top college programs in the country before being is 2-0 at State Farm Stadium against the Dolphins. selected in the top-5 of the NFL Dra : Arizona's Kyler Murray and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. The pair fi rst met in the Orange Bowl/CFP Semifi nal matchup Both teams have won three straight - and have done so in different ways. between Alabama and Oklahoma on 12/29/18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Mi- Arizona has scored 30+ points in each of its last three games while the Dolphins ami. Murray - the reigning NFL Rookie of the Year - will face Tagovailoa in have allowed 17 points or fewer in each of their last three outings. just his second career NFL start. Murray and Tagovailoa fi nished #1 and #2 in The Cardinals have the NFL's #1 ranked off ense (419.1 ypg) and face a Dol- Heisman vo ng following the 2018 season. phins team that features the NFL's #1 ranked scoring defense (18.6 ppg). Arizona's Kyler Murray and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa square off for the sec- G AME RELEASE INDEX ond me. The pair fi rst met in the Orange Bowl/CFP Semifi nal matchup be- tween Alabama and Oklahoma on 12/29/18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. That was the same year they fi nished #1 and #2 in Heisman vo ng. Page Contents 2-4 Cardinals-Dolphins Series / Salute To Service With a 5-2 record in 2020, the Cardinals have already matched their win 5 By The Numbers / What To Look For / Media Guide-Twi er Info total from all of last season. The '20 campaign marks just the third me since 6-8 2020 Season Highlights 1988 (6-1 in 2014; 5-2 in 2015) Arizona has at least fi ve wins in the fi rst seven 9-10 Kyler Murray Highlights games of a season. 11 Hot Start for Hopkins, Kirk and Edmonds WR DeAndre Hopkins leads the NFL in both recep ons (57) and receiving 12 Fitz & Hopkins Duo / AZ Na ves on Roster / Passing of Larry Wilson yards (706) in 2020 and is ed for the NFL lead with 36 fi rst down catches. He is 13 Cards Leadership / Michael Bidwill / Steve Keim / Social Justice Initiatives the only player in the NFL with 700+ receiving yards this season. 14-17 Larry Fitzgerald Highlights Last week, QB Kyler Murray was named "NFC Off ensive Player of the Week" 18-19 DeAndre Hopkins Highlights for the second me in three games while S Budda Baker was named "NFC De- 20-21 Defensive Highlights / Peterson / Hicks / Special Teams fensive Player of the Month" for October despite playing in just three games 22 2019 Highlights last month. 23-24 Cardinals COVID-19 Relief Eff orts 25-26 Individual Player Notes With his fi rst recep on in the Cardinals Week 7 win vs. Sea le, WR Larry 27-62 Rosters / Depth Chart / Transac ons / 2020 Sta s cs Fitzgerald joined Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history to reach 1,400 recep ons in their career. BROADCAST INFORMATION Television: CBS / Play-By-Play: Andrew Catalon Analyst: James Lo on Sideline: Michael Grady Cardinals Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM / Play-By-Play: Dave Pasch Analyst: Ron Wolfl ey Sideline: Paul Calvisi Cardinals Spanish Radio: KHOV 105.1 FM / Play-By-Play: Luis Hernandez Analyst: Rolando Cantu
1 PAT TILLMAN'S LEGACY SALUTE TO SERVICE
THE TILLMAN MEMORIAL As part of the league’s long-standing support of America’s On November 12, 2006, the Pat Tillman Me- Armed Forces, the Cardinals are honoring current and for- morial at State Farm Stadium was unveiled. mer military by taking part in the NFL’s Salute to Service Located on the northwest side of the plaza, campaign at this Sunday's game. Since 2011, the NFL’s Sa- the memorial includes a large bronze sculp- lute to Service campaign has raised more than $44 million ture of Tillman and a circular refl ec on pond. for military and veteran nonprofi t organiza ons. The sculpture is approximately eight-feet tall, Salute to Service is a year-round eff ort to Honor, Empower, weighs more than 500 pounds, and took near- and Connect our na on's service members, veterans, and ly nine months to complete. A er an extensive their families. It is grounded in deep partnership with non- search, the Cardinals selected ar sts Omri Am- profi ts and organiza ons that support the military commu- rany and Gary Tillery to create the sculpture. nity in the United States and across the world. The sculptors consulted with the team and Pat’s wife, Marie, who selected At Sunday's game, re red U.S. Navy Pe y Offi cer First Class the image of Tillman that best conveys his character and spirit. Serving as a Steven Powell will sing the Na onal Anthem. The colors backdrop to the sculpture is a nine-foot concrete wall that measures 42 feet will be presented by the 56th Fighter Wing out of Luke Air Force Base. across, symbolic of Tillman’s jersey number at Arizona State. The video boards at Sunday's game will feature a "fan mosaic" via Zoom with The brimming pool of water on the western side consists of a 60-foot circu- members of the Armed Services. To help support the Cardinals throughout the lar pond made of black concrete and stainless steel. To the west of the me- game, members of the military will appear on the videoboards to celebrate TDs morial is a grove of 40 Oak trees that symbolizes the jersey number Tillman and cheer on the team. wore as an Arizona Cardinal, and the en re area is surrounded by a grove of Ash and Oak trees. Cardinals coaches and staff will wear special NFL-issued Salute to Service brand- ing and gameday apparel. Cardinals Cheerleaders, the drumline, and fl ag teams TILLMAN'S LOCKER will all be dressed in Salute to Service themed uniforms. On September 11, 2015, the 14th anniversary Each Cardinals player will wear a #40 s cker on their helmet to honor former of the 9/11 terrorist a acks, the Cardinals un- veiled the locker of S Pat Tillman at the Dig- Cardinals safety Pat Tillman and will also use camoufl age towels, hats and gloves nity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center. on the sidelines. A new locker room was built as part of a two- All proceeds from the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign are donated to the NFL’s military nonprofi t partners: The Bob Woodru Founda on, the Pat Tillman Foun- year, $15 million renova on of the facility, but ff Tillman’s locker was preserved to display in a da on, TAPS, the USO and Wounded Warrior Project. glass enclosure between the weight room and cafeteria. Included in the locker are Tillman’s jersey, helmet, shoulder pads and dra card, PUGH IS TEAM'S USAA SALUTE TO SERVICE NOMINEE along with a descrip on of his life and career. “We’ve decided to preserve Pat Tillman’s locker, and tell his story,” Cardinals OL Jus n Pugh was named the Cardinals and Owner Michael Bidwill said at the unveiling ceremony. “Many of our future USAA Salute To Service Award nominee in 2020. players, and even current players, may not know the stories of the Cardi- The brother of an ac ve duty United States Air nals. But we wanted to tell the stories and talk about the history, the history Force service member, suppor ng the military of our organiza on and the history of Pat Tillman.” and fi rst responders has always been close to Pugh’s heart. A er a decorated career at ASU, Tillman was selected in the seventh round (226th overall) of the 1998 NFL Dra by the Cardinals. He played for Arizona As part of the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” cam- from 1998-2001 before enlis ng in the U.S. Army in 2002. Tillman’s No. 40 paign the past four years, he has partnered with is re red by the Cardinals and he is a member of the team’s Ring of Honor. Merging Vets and Players (MVP), a program that was designed to address the challenge of The plaza surrounding State Farm Stadium is known as the Pat Tillman Free- transi oning from the ba lefi eld to home by dom Plaza, in honor of the former Cardinal who was killed in ac on on April crea ng an environment where veterans and 22, 2004 while serving his country as a member of the elite Army Ranger unit. athletes can share their strength and experi- TILLMAN'S IMPACT ON PUGH ence. MVP was created by Fox News NFL Insider Cards OL Jus n Pugh grew up outside Phila- and Unbreakable Performance Center founder delphia, played at Syracuse and spent the fi rst Jay Glazer and former Green Beret Nate Boyer. Pugh has long supported fi ve years of his NFL career with the Giants. the organiza on, traveling to the Unbreakable gym to speak with the men Before signing with Arizona, however, a Cardi- and women taking part in the program. nals jersey already hung in his brother's home In 2018, he joined Cardinals teammates to visit Luke Air Force base as part in Holland, PA, more than 2,000 miles from of the NFL’s Salute to Service month in November. The group from the Car- Phoenix. dinals got an up-close look at F-35’s and F-16’s from the 61st Fight Squadron "We have a Pat Tillman jersey at my (brother's) house," Pugh said during and visited various personnel sta oned on the base. his introductory press conference in 2018. "That’s the only jersey we have During the 2017 NFL Dra , Pugh visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst hanging in our house – my brother’s house, I should say – back in Holland." in New Jersey to thank members of the military for their service, host a Tillman and his brother, Kevin, le behind professional sports careers to join youth football event for their kids and announce the Giants 5th-round pick the Army Rangers a er the 9/11 terrorist a acks. In 2004, Tillman was killed on television with his brother, Michael, who was sta oned at the base. in ac on while serving a tour in Afghanistan. He would have celebrated his th Since coming to Arizona in 2018, Pugh has also par cipated in the Pro's 44 birthday on Friday (11/6). vs. GI Joe's event where players competed in video games against military "He made the ul mate sacrifi ce for this country with everything that he did. veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project, which works to provide You wish you could be half the man that he was,” Pugh said. services and programs for wounded service members.
CARDINALS WITH MILITARY TIES
HEAD COACH KLIFF KINGSBURY: Father, Tim Kingsbury, received a Purple RB D.J. FOSTER: Aunt, Shelia Wiggins, served in the Army; uncle, Lee Davis Heart for his service in the Vietnam War while serving in the Marines. Tim Jr., served in the Navy; grandfather, Lee Davis Sr., served in the Marines; and survived being shot in the jaw while in Vietnam. uncle, Joseph Wayne, served in the Coast Guard. CB ROBERT ALFORD: Cousin, Byron Cox, served in the Army. K ZANE GONZALEZ: Grandfather, Lino Gonzalez, is an Army veteran, and best DL ZACH ALLEN: Great uncle, Major William Anthony, was an Air Force fi ght- friend, Carlos Rivas, currently serves in the Army. er pilot. He fl ew B-17 bombers in WWII and jets in the Korean War. During the WR DEANDRE HOPKINS: Uncle, Larry Greenlee Sr., served in the military Korean War, his jet crashed returning from a mission and he lost his arm trying and is a Purple Heart recipient. to save the plane. WR CHRISTIAN KIRK: Grandfather, David Fisher, served in the Navy; father, LB DE'VONDRE CAMPBELL: Cousin, Tavarris Andrews, served in the Army. Evan Kirk, served in the Army; and uncle, Tony Kirk, served in the Navy. OL MASON COLE: Uncle, Bre Cole, served in the Army. P ANDY LEE: Late grandfather, Walter Lee, served in the Army. WR LARRY FITZGERALD: A ended Valley Forge (PA) Military Academy. Grandfather, Dr. Robert Johnson, was a Lieutenant in the Army who won a CB BYRON MURPHY, JR.: Stepfather, Terrell Barnes, served in the Navy. purple heart for his service in Korea. Aunt and Uncle, Paula and Sam Jones, OL JUSTIN PUGH: Brother, Michael Gavaghan, has served 19 years in the Air are both Lieutenant Colonels in the Army. Force, where he currently serves as a Loadmaster. 2 CARDINALS-DOLPHINS CONNECTIONS ALL-TIME SERIES
th Dolphins Connec ons The Cardinals and Dolphins meet for just the 13 me in a series that dates Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph served in the same capacity back to 1972. Miami holds a 9-3 advantage in the all- me series. A er drop- with the Dolphins in 2016, helping the team reach the postseason for the ping the fi rst eight mee ngs between the two teams, Arizona has taken three fi rst me in eight years. OLBs coach Charlie Bullen (2012-18) and Defensive of the last four. Asst. Rusty McKinney (2016-18) also served on the Miami defensive coach- Four of the last fi ve games in this series have been decided by three points ing staff during this me. or fewer. In the last mee ng (Week 14 of 2016), the Dolphins won 26-23 on a Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim had a brief s nt in the NFL as a free FG as me expired in regula on. In 2012, Arizona earned a 24-21 OT victory agent with the Dolphins in 1996. and in 2004 WR Larry Fitzgerald caught a TD pass with 19 seconds remaining to give the Cardinals a 24-23 win. Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake was a third-round selec on (73rd overall) by Mi- This week's game marks the Dolphins fourth-ever visit to Arizona and fi rst ami in the 2016 NFL Dra and played for the team un l a midseason trade in 2019 sent him to Arizona. since 2012. Arizona is 2-0 at home against Miami at State Farm Stadium. CARDINALS-DOLPHINS ALL-TIME SERIES Cardinals DL Jordan Phillips was a second-round (52nd overall) selec on by Overall Regular Season Series: 3-9 the Dolphins in the 2015 NFL Dra and played in Miami through Week 4 of the 2018 season. Cardinals at home vs. MIA: 2-4 First Mee ng: 11/27/72 @ Miami, L, 31-10 Cardinals RBs coach James Saxon played FB for the Dolphins from 1992-94 Last Mee ng: 12/22/16 @ Miami, L, 26-23 and served as the RBs coach from 2008-10. Last Cardinals Win vs. MIA: 9/30/12 vs. Miami, W, 24-21 (OT) Cardinals Off ensive Asst. Jerry Sullivan served as WRs coach for Miami in 2004. HEAD COA C HES Cardinals Vice President, Football Opera ons & Facili es Ma Caracciolo was a scou ng intern with the Dolphins from 2003-04. Kliff Kingsbury Brian Flores Cardinals Connec ons 10-12-110-12-1 OOverallverall RRecordecord 9 9-14-0-14-0 Dolphins Senior Personnel Execu ve Reggie McKenzie played LB for the 110-12-10-12-1 R Regularegular SSeasoneason RecordRecord 9-149-14 Cardinals from 1989-90. 0-00-0 PlayoPlayoff RecordRecord 0-00-0 Florida Connec ons 2ndnd YearsYears aass NFLNFL HeadHead CoachCoach 2nndd Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson (Pompano Beach), OL Mason Cole (Tarpon nndd nndd Springs), LB De’Vondre Campbell (Fort Myers) and Off ensive Asst. Jerry Sul- 2 YearsYears withwith TeamTeam 2 livan (Miami) are Florida na ves. Sullivan a ended Jackson High School and Kliff Kingsbury became an NFL head coach for the fi rst me when he was earned a scholarship to Florida State as a QB. hired by the Cardinals on January 11, 2019, coming to Arizona a er six sea- Cardinals OL D.J. Humphries and OL Max Garcia played at the University of sons (2013-18) as the head coach at his alma mater, Texas Tech. Now in his Florida from 2012-14. second season in Arizona, Kingsbury has the Cardinals off to a 5-2 start, their best since 2015. The team also features the NFL's #1 ranked off ense and Cardinals Off ensive Asst./Asst. QBs coach Cam Turner spent two seasons second-year QB Kyler Murray has entered the MVP conversa on. While at (2013-14) as the QBs and WRs coach at Florida Interna onal. Texas Tech, Kingsbury served as the play-caller for one of college football's most explosive off enses that ranked in the top-20 in total off ense all six sea- Arizona Connec ons sons. A former star QB at Texas Tech, Kingsbury was dra ed by the Patriots Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was born in Gilbert, AZ and starred at Highland in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Dra . High School. Named the 13th head coach in Dolphins history on February 4, 2019, Brian Dolphins P Ma Haack played at Arizona State from 2013-16. Flores is in his second season in Miami in 2020. He joined the Dolphins a er Dolphins College Scout Lenny McGill played football at Arizona State from spending 15 seasons with the New England Patriots where he served in a variety of diff erent roles and helped the franchise win four Super Bowls – 1990-93, earning honorable men on All-Pac-10 as a senior. He also le ered XXXIX, XLIX, LI and LIII – and seven AFC championships. He came to Miami three seasons on the Sun Devils’ track and fi eld team. having coached all three phases of the game - off ense, defense and special Dolphins Vice Chairman, President and CEO Tom Garfi nkel was the chief op- teams - a er beginning his professional career as a scout. A er fi nishing his era ng offi cer for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2006-09. playing career at Boston College (1999-2003), Flores joined the Patriots as a scou ng assistant in 2004 and was promoted to pro scout in 2006. College/Pro Connec ons Cardinals K Zane Gonzalez and Dolphins P Ma Haack played together at Ari- zona State from 2013-16. POMPANO'S PREP STAR Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed (2017-19) and RB Miles Gaskin (2015-18) played alongside Cardinals LB Ezekiel Turner (2015-17) at the University of CB Patrick Peterson was one of the most highly-prized Washington. recruits in the country playing at Blanche Ely High School Cardinals S Deionte Thompson (2015-18), Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in Pompano Beach, FL, roughly 35 miles north of Miami. (2017-19) and DT Raekwon Davis (2016-19) played together at Alabama. Peterson was named the USA Today Defensive Player of Dolphins G Solomon Kindley (2016-19) and Cardinals OL Lamont Gaillard the Year as a senior in 2007 and was named to the Parade (2014-18) played alongside one another on the O-line at Georgia. All-America team and the USA Today All-America Team. Cardinals CB Kevin Peterson (2012-15) and Dolphins DE Emmanuel Ogbah He was also selected to play in the U.S. Army All-Amer- (2013-15) played together at Oklahoma State. ican Bowl and was one of six fi nalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award. Dolphins S Eric Rowe (2011-14) and Cardinals LB Kylie Fi s (2013-17) played together at Utah. Dolphins RBs coach Eric Studesville (2004-09) coached alongside Cardinals SEASON STATISTICS O-line coach Sean Kugler (2007-09) in Buff alo. During Studesville’s tenure, Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury (2006) played QB for the Bills. StatisticStatistic AAZZ Rank MIAMIA Rank Dolphins T Julién Davenport (2017-18), Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins Points Scored/Game 29.0 t-8 26.8 11 (2013-19), DL Angelo Blackson (2017-19) and TE Jordan Thomas (2018-19) Points Allowed/Game 20.9 9 18.6 1 played together in Houston. TDs Scored 25 t-8 20 t-20 TDs Allowed 16 3 17 t-4 Hopkins (2013-19) also played alongside Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Rushing TDs 12 2 7 t-18 (2014) in Houston. Passing TDs 13 t-13 11 t-23 Cardinals CB Dre Kirkpatrick (2012-19) and Dolphins S Clayton Fejedelem Return TDs 0 t-18 2 t-5 (2016-19) played together in Cincinna . Rushing TDs Allowed 4 t-1 9 t-20 Passing TDs Allowed 12 t-13 8 t-1 Dolphins OL Ereck Flowers (2015-18), LB Calvin Munson (2017) and Cardi- Return TDs Allowed 0 t-1 0 t-1 nals OL Jus n Pugh (2013-17) played together on the Giants. Sacked/Yards Lost 9/38 t-2 11/52 t-9 Flowers (2019) also played with Cardinals LB Tanner Vallejo (2019) on the Fumbles/Lost 7/2 t-7 6/2 t-7 Washington Football Team. Field Goals Made 10/13 t-21 15/15 t-7 Total Yards/Game 419.1 1 324.4 28 Cardinals LB Jordan Hicks (2015-18) played with Dolphins LB Kamu Grugier- Opp. Total Yards/Game 378.4 t-22 376.0 t-20 Hill (2016-19), WR Mack Hollins (2017-19) and S Eric Rowe (2015) in Phila- Rushing Yards/Game 160.7 2 98.0 28 delphia. Opp. Rushing Yards/Game 131.1 25 125.1 21 Dolphins RB Jordan Howard (2016-18), TE Adam Shaheen (2017-19) and Passing Yards/Game 258.4 14 226.4 21 Cardinals LB Kylie Fi s (2018) played together in Chicago. Opp. Passing Yards/Game 247.3 18 250.9 20 Turnover Ratio +1 t-12 +4 t-7 Average Time of Possession 28:29 25 30:19 13 3 15TH SEASON AT STATE FARM STADIUM KYLER AND TUA - ROUND 2
The Cardinals began the 15th Sunday's game between the Cardinals season at State Farm Stadium and Dolphins will serve as the second with a 30-15 victory over head-to-head matchup between QBs Washington in Week 2. who piloted two of the top college Arizona earned its second programs in the country before being home win of the 2020 season selected in the top-5 of the NFL Dra : with its thrilling come-from- Arizona's Kyler Murray and Miami's Tua behind OT victory over the Tagovailoa. Sea le Seahawks on Sunday The pair fi rst met in the Orange Bowl/ Night Football in Week 7. CFP Semifi nal matchup between Ala- The Cardinals will now look to improve to 3-1 at home this season when they bama and Oklahoma on 12/29/18 at host the Dolphins on Sunday. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Crimson Tide came out on top, 45-34, as both signal-callers put up impressive numbers. Murray fi nished with 417 Opened in 2006, State Farm Stadium has proved a catalyst for the Cardinals total yards (308 passing, 109 rushing) and 3 total TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing) success in the last decade-plus. while Tagovailoa fi nished with 318 passing yards and 4 TDs. The Cardinals have posted a winning record at home in eight of 14 full sea- The two cap vated the country with historic performances during the sons at State Farm Stadium, earning four playoff berths and three NFC West 2018 season which saw Murray and Tagovailoa fi nish fi rst and second, tles during that me. The Cardinals fi nished .500 or be er just twice and respec vely, in Heisman Trophy vo ng. Tagovailoa’s 199.4 passing effi - made the playoff s only one me in 18 seasons prior. ciency ra ng led the country, while Murray led the na on in total yards Below is a look at the results at State Farm Stadium compared to 18 seasons (5,362), total TDs (54) and yards-per-pass a empt (11.6). at Sun Devil Stadium. Murray and Tagovailoa 2018 Sta s cal Breakdown Overall Comparison 14+ seasons at 18 seasons at Sta s c Murray Tagovailoa Comple ons 260 245 Sta s c State Farm Stadium Sun Devil Stadium Pass A empts 377 355 Sellouts 144 12 Comp. Percent 69.0 69.0 Regular Season Home Record 66-47-2 64-80 Passing Yards 4,361 3,966 Home Win % .583 .444 Yds/A empt 11.6* 11.2 Postseason Record 5-4 1-1 Passing TDs 42 43 Postseason Home Record 4-0 0-0 Passer Ra ng 199.2 199.4* Seasons w/ Winning Record 5 1 Rushing Yards 1,001 190 Seasons w/ Winning Home Record 8 4 Rushing TDs 12 5 Postseason Berths 4 1 Total Yards 5,362* 4,156 Division Titles 3 0 Total TDs 54* 48 Conference Championship Games 2 0 Total Yards/Game 383.0 277.1 Super Bowl Appearances 1 0 Total TDs/Game 3.9 3.2 *Led the NCAA 14 SEASONS AND 144 SELLOUTS Throughout their college careers, Murray and Tagovailoa piled up acco- Arizona sold out every game (preseason and postseason included) in the fi rst lades, including some of the most pres gious awards presented in col- 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. lege football. Murray College Honor Roll 2018 Heisman Trophy 2018 Davey O’Brien Award 1,400 CATCHES AND STADIUM RECORD FOR #11 2018 Manning Award 2018 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award 2018 AP Player of the Year Award WR Larry Fitzgerald had a milestone perfor- 2018 Big 12 Off ensive Player of the Year mance in the Cardinals Week 7 win over Sea le 2018 First-Team All-American (AP and FWAA) at State Farm Stadium. 2018 First-Team All-Big 12 He caught eight passes for 62 yards vs. the Se- 5x Big 12 Off ensive Player of the Week ahawks. With his fi rst recep on of the game, Tagovailoa College Honor Roll Fitzgerald became just the second player in 2018 Maxwell Award NFL history to reach 1,400 recep ons in his ca- 2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award reer. Now with 1,407 catches, Fitzgerald joins 2018 Co-Polynesian Player of the Year Jerry Rice – the NFL’s all- me recep ons leader 2018 Spor ng News Na onal Player of the Year with 1,549 – as the only players in league his- 2018 SEC Off ensive Player of the Year tory to reach the milestone. 2018 First-Team All-America (Walter Camp, Spor ng News AFCA) 2018 First-Team All-SEC NFL All-Time Recep ons Leaders 2018 Off ensive MVP of the CFP Playoff Na onal Championship Rnk Player (Years) Rec 1 Jerry Rice (1985-04)+ 1,549 2 Larry Fitzgerald (2004-)* 1,407 A VISIT FROM HIS FORMER TEAM 3 Tony Gonzalez (1997-13)+ 1,325 4 Jason Wi en (2003-17; 19-)* 1,224 5 Marvin Harrison (1996-08)+ 1,102 This week the Cardinals host the Miami Dolphins, the +Hall of Fame Inductee *Ac ve Player team that traded RB Kenyan Drake to Arizona in Week 9 last season. Fitzgerald reached 1,400 recep ons at 37 years, 55 days old while playing in his 257th career game. Rice reached 1,400 recep ons at 40 years, 7 days old Drake played his first three-plus NFL seasons (2016- while playing in his 260th career game. 19) in Miami, who selected him in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Fitzgerald’s 1,407 catches are nearly 2.5 mes more than the second-place total on the franchise all- me recep ons list – Anquan Boldin (586). With Miami, Drake rushed for 1,532 yards and 9 TDs on 333 carries (4.6 avg.) in 54 games. Since coming to 654 CATCHES AT STATE FARM STADIUM A NEW NFL RECORD Arizona last season, he has rushed for 1,155 yards and Fitzgerald’s fi rst recep on against Sea le was also his 647th career catch 12 TDs on 242 carries (4.8 avg.) in 15 games. at State Farm Stadium. He has more recep ons at State Farm Stadium than any other player in NFL history at a single venue. He surpassed the previous Since the Cardinals acquired him in Week 9 last season, record held by Rice (646 at Candles ck Park). Drake ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,155 rushing yards. NFL History – Recep ons By Stadium His 12 rushing TDs during that span are tied for fifth in the NFL. Rnk Player (Team) Rec Stadium NFL Leaders – Rushing Yards & Rushing TDs (Week 9 of 2019 – present) 1 Larry Fitzgerald (AZ) 654 State Farm Stadium Rushing Yards Rushing Touchdowns 2 Jerry Rice (SF) 646 Candles ck Park Rnk Player (Team) Yds Rnk Player (Team) TDs 3 Andre Johnson (Hou) 560 NRG Stadium 1 Derrick Henry (Ten) 1,809 1 Derrick Henry (Ten) 19 4 Cris Carter (Min) 531 Mall of America Field 2 Joe Mixon (Cin) 1,311 2 Todd Gurley (Atl) 15 5 Marvin Harrison (Ind) 515 RCA Dome 3 Ezekiel Elliott (Dal) 1,276 3 Dalvin Cook (MIn) 14 4 Nick Chubb (Cle) 1,222 4 Aaron Jones (GB) 13 Combined with 71 recep ons in two seasons played at Sun Devil Stadium 5 Kenyan Drake (AZ) 1,155 5t Kenyan Drake (AZ) 12 (2004-05), Fitzgerald has 725 catches in home games for the Cardinals dur- 6 Josh Jacobs (Oak) 1,118 5t Christian McCaffrey (Car) 12 ing the regular season. 7 David Montgomery (Chi) 1,100 5t Melvin Gordon (Den) 12 4 BY THE NU MBERS WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK 9
20 WITH A WIN THIS WEEK... Wins for the teams in the NFC West, the most among any division in the NFL. Arizona would improve to 6-2 in 2020, marking just the third me since 1988 The NFC West leads the NFL in wins and points scored (844). It remains the (6-2 in 2015; 7-1 in 2014) the Cardinals had at least six wins in the fi rst eight only division in which every team has a record of .500 or be er and in which games of a season. every team has a posi ve point diff eren al. MILESTONES WITHIN REACH 419.1 QB Kyler Murray Average yards per game for the Cardinals in 2020. Arizona has the NFL's #1 With both a rushing and passing TD, Murray would have 7 such games in ranked off ense this season. The Cardinals have 2,934 total net yards of off ense 2020. In NFL history, only Cam Newton (8 in 2011), Daunte Culpepper (8 in (1,809 passing; 1,125 rushing). That is the second-highest total in franchise 2002) and Steve Grogan (8 in 1976) would have more games with both a pass- history through the fi rst seven games of a season. ing and rushing TD in a single season. WR Larry Fitzgerald 18.6 With a recep on, Fitzgerald would have at least one catch in 251 consecu ve Points allowed per game by Miami's in 2020. The Dolphins feature the NFL's games, extending the second-longest streak in NFL history (Jerry Rice - 274). #1 scoring defense in 2020. Arizona is averaging 29.0 points per game this season, ed with Bal more for #8 in the NFL. With 100+ receiving yards, Fitzgerald would have 50 career 100-yard games to extend his franchise record. He would have more than the players in second 519 and third place on the franchise all- me list combined (49). Total yards for the Cardinals in their win over Sea le in Week 7 (360 passing; WR DeAndre Hopkins 159 rushing). It marked the second game under head coach Kliff Kingsbury in which the Cardinals have posted 500+ yards. In a 20-year span (1999-2018) With four catches, Hopkins (61) would establish a franchise record for recep- ons in the fi rst eight games of a season. J.T. Smith (60 in 1989) holds the cur- prior to Kingsbury's arrival, the team posted 500+ total yards in a game just rent mark. three mes. With 100+ receiving yards, Hopkins (5) would join David Boston (5 in 2001) as .714 the only players in franchise history with 100+ receiving yards in fi ve of the fi rst Arizona's winning percentage in 2020 (5-2). The Cardinals are ed for the eight games of a season. third-best winning percentage in the NFC and the sixth-best in the NFL. WR Chris an Kirk 654 With a TD recep on, Kirk (6) would have as many TD catches in seven games Career recep ons for WR Larry Fitzgerald at State Farm Stadium. Fitzgerald’s played this season as he had in his fi rst two NFL seasons combined (6). fi rst recep on against Sea le in Week 7 was also his 647th career catch at LB Haason Reddick State Farm Stadium. He has more recep ons at State Farm Stadium than With a sack, Reddick would extend his career high in sacks to 6.0 and would any other player in NFL history at a single venue. He surpassed the previous also have at least one sack in three straight games for the fi rst me in his career. record held by Jerry Rice (646 at Candles ck Park). 1,407 Career recep ons for WR Larry Fitzgerald. With his fi rst recep on vs. Sea le R EMINDER O F THE TIME C HANGE in Week 7, he became just the second player in NFL history to reach 1,400 recep ons in his career. Fitzgerald joins Jerry Rice – the NFL’s all- me recep- Although Arizona stays on standard me throughout the year, the me change, or ons leader with 1,549 – as the only players in league history to reach the lack thereof, does aff ect the Cardinals local kickoff mes. With daylight saving me milestone. ending last Sunday, that change will fi rst aff ect the Cardinals this week. In 2020, daylight saving me was observed on the second Sunday in March (3/8) 704 and ended last Sunday. When daylight saving is in eff ect, Arizona is three hours Receiving yards for WR DeAndre Hopkins in 2020. Despite having played in behind the east coast making a 4 p.m. kickoff in the East a 1 p.m. kickoff in Arizona. just seven games, Hopkins is the only player in the NFL with 700+ receiving Beginning with the Cards Week 9 matchup vs. Miami this Sunday, Arizona will be yards this season. He leads the NFL in recep ons (57) and receiving yards only two hours behind the east coast, making a 4 p.m. kickoff in New York a 2 p.m. (704) in 2020 and is ed for the league lead with 36 fi rst down catches. kickoff in Arizona. 6 Games this season in which Murray has both a passing and rushing TD. He is W EEK 9 AROUND THE NFL the fi rst player in NFL history to accomplish the feat at least six mes in the fi rst seven games of a season. Teams on bye: Eagles, Rams, Browns, Bengals 1 Thursday, November 5 Players in NFL history who have thrown for 350+ yards and 3 TDs while also Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - 6:20 PM (FOX/NFLN/Amazon) rushing for 50+ yards and a TD in a single game. Murray became the fi rst Sunday, November 8 player ever to accomplish the feat in the Cardinals victory over Sea le in Week New York Giants at Washington - 11:00 AM (FOX) 7 on Sunday Night Football. Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans - 11:00 AM (FOX) Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings - 11:00 AM (CBS) .617 Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs - 11:00 AM (FOX) Cardinals winning percentage in over me games (27-16-4). That is the best OT Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - 11:00 AM (CBS) winning percentage in NFL history. Only Denver (28) has more OT wins than Bal more Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - 11:00 AM (CBS) the Cardinals. Sea le Seahawks at Buff alo Bills - 11:00 AM (FOX) Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons - 11:00 AM (CBS) 10 Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers - 2:05 PM (FOX) Consecu ve games the Cardinals have scored 21+ points. Only Kansas City Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals - 2:25 PM (CBS) (19) and New Orleans (14) have scored 21+ in more consecu ve games. Pi sburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys - 2:25 PM (CBS) 12 New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 6:20 PM (NBC) Rushing TDs for the Cardinals this season. Only San Francisco (14) has more Monday, November 9 rushing TDs than Arizona in 2020. The Cardinals have rushed for seven TDs in New England Patriots at New York Jets - 6:15 PM (ESPN) the last three games. 31 K EEPING UP WITH THE C ARDINALS Tackles for S Budda Baker in the month of October, despite playing in just three games. Baker was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month a er Last year the Cardinals launched a new media site on fi nishing October with 31 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2 INTs (90 return yards), 3 TFL, 3 NFL Online Media Guide (www.NFLOMG.com). QB hits, 2 PD and a FF in three games played - all Arizona victories. The all-encompassing media resource has taken on 4 special importance in following the Cardinals in 2020. TD recep ons for WR Chris an Kirk in the last two games (2 at Dal; 2 vs. Sea). Due to safety precau ons put in place during the on- He became just the fi h diff erent player in franchise history with mul ple going COVID-19 outbreak, hard copies of the game TD catches in back-to-back games. A er recording six total TD recep ons in release, game books, transcripts and other team pro- his fi rst 27 career games, Kirk now has fi ve TD catches in his last four games duced materials are not passed out during the week this season. or on game day at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals OMG includes: 5.0 Tradi onal media guide informa on Sacks for LB Haason Reddick in 2020, a career high. The most recent came Player bios updated in real- me. in OT in Week 7 vs. Sea le in one of the best ou ngs of his NFL career. He nished with 11 tackles, a sack, 3 tackles for loss and 3 QB hits – with his 3 Offi cial league sta s cs from NFL GSIS fi Final game books and sta s cs QB hits and 3 tackles for loss se ng career highs for a single game. Postgame quotes 5 A BATTLE IN NFL'S TO U G HEST DIVISIO N WINNING - AND WINNING BIG - IN 2020
The Cardinals remain in the thick of a tough With a 5-2 record in 2020, the Cardinals have already matched their win total race in the NFL's winningest division in 2020. from all of last season. The '20 campaign marks just the third me since 1988 (6-1 in 2014; 5-2 in 2015) Arizona has at least fi ve wins in the fi rst seven games The Cardinals victory over the previously un- of a season. beaten Seahawks on Sunday Night Football in Week 7 - coupled with the Rams and 49ers Arizona's .714 winning percentage is ed for the third-best in the NFC and sixth- losing last Sunday - means Arizona returns best in the NFL in 2020. from its Week 8 bye alone in second place NFC Leaders - Win Percentage (2020) the NFC West. Rnk Team Pct. W-L 1 Sea le .857 6-1 The NFC West in 2020 2 Tampa Bay .750 6-2 --Leads the NFL in wins (20) and points 3t Arizona .714 5-2 scored (844) 3t Green Bay .714 5-2 --Is the only division in which every team has 3t New Orleans .714 5-2 a record of .500 or be er AMONG THE LEAGUE'S BEST POINT DIFFERENTIALS --Is the only division in which every team has Arizona enters Week 9 with the second-best point diff eren al (+57) in the NFC a posi ve point diff eren al and the seventh-best in the NFL. --Is the only division in which every team has NFL Leaders – Point Diff eren al (2020) allowed fewer than 200 points Rnk Team Diff PF PA 2020 NFC West Standings 1 Kansas City +101 253 152 Team W L PF PA Hm Road Div Conf 2 Tampa Bay +82 247 165 Sea le 6 1 240 199 4-0 2-1 1-1 4-1 3 Bal more +71 203 132 4 Pi sburgh +69 211 142 Arizona 5 2 203 146 1-1 3-1 2-0 4-2 5 Indianapolis +62 198 136 L.A. Rams 5 3 193 152 3-0 2-3 0-1 5-1 6 Miami +58 188 130 San Francisco 4 4 208 173 1-3 3-1 1-2 2-3 7 Arizona +57 203 146 This week in the division: Of Arizona’s fi ve wins this season, three have come by 15+ points. Arizona (5-2) vs. Miami (4-3) San Francisco (4-4) vs. Green Bay (5-2) - TNF Arizona is one of just seven teams in the NFL that have won mul ple games by Sea le (6-1) at Buff alo (6-2) 20+ points this season. Rams on bye CARDINALS WIN OT THRILLER VS. SEATTLE IN WEEK 7 AWARDS COME POURING IN The Cardinals defeated the previously unbeaten Sea le Seahawks 37-34 in over me at State Farm Stadium on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. Arizona came out on top in a wild aff air in which the Cardinals never led in regula on Last week, S Budda Baker was named "NFC Defensive Player of the Month" or OT un l kicking the game-winning FG with 0:15 remaining in OT. for October and QB Kyler Murray was named "NFC Off ensive Player of the Some Facts About Arizona's Come-From-Behind Win Week" for his Week 7 performance vs. Sea le. Sea le entered the game with a 30-0 record when leading by 10+ points at Between Murray and Baker, the duo have combined for three consecu ve hal ime in the regular season with Russell Wilson as the starter. "Player of the Week" awards (Weeks 5-7) and one "Player of the Month" The contest marked just the fourth me in Wilson’s 136 career starts that award - all of which came in October. he threw at least three INTs in a game. Arizona became the fi rst team to re- cord at least three INTs off Wilson since the Jaguars had three on 12/10/17. It is just the fourth me (2015, Weeks 14-16; 2014, Weeks 8-10; 1998, Weeks 15-17) in team history that the Cardinals have had “Player of the Week” win- Wilson entered the game having thrown just three INTs on 169 pass at- ners in three straight weeks. tempts in Sea le's fi rst fi ve games in 2020 - all wins. In his fi rst 8 career games against the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH (OCTOBER) - S BUDDA BAKER Wilson threw 12 TDs and just 1 INT on 245 pass a empts. He hadn’t thrown Baker was named the “NFC Defensive Player of the an INT against the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium since his rookie season in Month” for his performance in October, marking the 2012 – the fi rst game of his NFL career. fi rst me in his career he has earned the honor. Wilson had a empted 251 consecu ve pass a empts without an INT He fi nished the month of October with 31 tackles, 2.0 against the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium before he was picked off by Budda Baker in the second quarter in Week 7. He threw 3 INTs in his fi nal 33 sacks, 2 INTs (90 return yards), 3 TFL, 3 QB hits, 2 PD pass a empts vs. Arizona. and a FF in three games played - all Arizona victories. He played all three games with a cast on his thumb af- With the victory, the Cardinals snapped a seven-game winless streak at ter having surgery which forced him to miss Arizona’s home against the Seahawks and earned their fi rst win over Sea le at State Farm Stadium since 2012. Week 4 game at Carolina. Baker became the fi rst NFL player in the last seven Arizona handed the Seahawks just their eighth loss in 40 prime me games under Pete Carroll. Sea le entered the game with a 31-7-1 record in prime- seasons (2014-20) to record at least 30 tackles, 2.0, 2 me and their .808 winning percentage was the best in the NFL. INTs and a FF in a single calendar month. He was the only player in the NFL with mul ple sacks and mul ple INTs in October and his 31 tackles ranked second among all NFL DBs. CARDINALS SHINE IN PRIMETIME OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - KYLER MURRAY (WEEKS 5 & 7) Murray was named the “NFC Off ensive Player of the Week” for his perfor- The Cardinals played back-to- mance against the Jets in Week 5 and vs. the Seahawks in Week 7. With his back games in prime me in two "Off ensive Player of the Week" selec ons in 2020, he has now earned a six-day stretch that saw the the honor three mes in his career. He joins Kurt Warner (5x) and Neil Lomax team earn victories over Dallas (4x) as the only QBs in team history with at least three "Off ensive Player of the (Monday Night Football) and Week" selec ons. Sea le (Sunday Night Football) Murray also became the fi rst Cardinals QB to be named “Player of the Week” in Weeks 6-7. twice in the same season since Warner in 2009. The win over Sea le on Sunday WEEK 7 VS. SEATTLE: Murray completed a career-high 34-of-48 pass at- Night Football in Week 7 was th tempts (70.8%) for 360 yards, 3 TDs and a 104.5 passer ra ng. He also added the Cardinals 14 prime me 67 rushing yards and a TD on 14 carries. He became the fi rst player in NFL victory da ng back to 2008. history to throw for 350+ yards and 3+ TDs while also rushing for 50+ yards In 38 seasons between 1970- and a TD in a single game. 2007, the Cardinals had 10 total prime me wins. WEEK 5 AT NY JETS: Murray completed 27-of-37 pass a empts (72.9%) for a career-high 380 yards, a TD and a passer ra ng of 103.4. He also ran for 31 The 2020 season marks the fi rst me in franchise history the Cardinals have yards and a TD on nine carries. His 380 passing yards led the NFL in Week 5 won on Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football in consecu ve and were also the most passing yards by a Cardinals QB in a win since Carson weeks. Palmer threw for 419 yards in a 27-14 victory at Jacksonville in 2013. With the victories over Dallas and Sea le, Arizona won prime me games in consecu ve weeks for just the fourth me in franchise history – and for the DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - S BUDDA BAKER (WEEK 6 AT DALLAS) fi rst me since 2016 (Week 5 @ SF on TNF; Week 6 vs. NYJ on MNF). Baker earned his fi rst career “Defensive Player of the Week” a er recording 7 tackles, a sack, his fi rst career INT, a tackle for loss, two QB hits, a pass de- The victory over Dallas was the Cardinals third-ever road win on Monday fensed and a forced fumble in the Monday night victory over the Cowboys. Night Football and fi rst since 1977. Arizona is 4-1 in its last fi ve appearances on MNF. The Cardinals have as many wins in their last fi ve MNF appearances (4) as He became the fi rst Cardinals player since 2003 (Renaldo Hill on 11/2 vs. Cin- they had in their previous 20 (4). cinna ) to record a sack, an INT and a forced fumble in the same game. 6 A TOP-FLIGHT OFFENSE IN 2020 BETTER THAN AVERAGE GROUND GAME
Six days a er scoring 38 points in a The Cardinals ran for 159 yards and a TD on 33 carries (4.8 avg.) in the victory win over the Cowboys on Monday over Sea le in Week 7. Arizona has rushed for 100+ yards in all seven games Night Football, the Cardinals piled up this season – and in 17 of 23 games under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. a season-high 519 total net yards (360 The 2020 season marks just the second me (1984) in the last 47 years (1974- passing; 159 rushing) and 37 points vs. 20) that the Cardinals rushed for 100+ yards in each of the fi rst seven games of Sea le in Week 7. a season. A er pos ng 400+ total yards and The Cardinals have now rushed for 1,125 yards and 12 TDs on 216 carries (5.2 30+ points in each of the last three avg.) in 2020. Arizona’s 1,125 rushing yards are the most through the fi rst seven games, the Cardinals rank #1 in the games of a season since the team had 1,188 rushing yards in 1976. NFL in total off ense (419.1 ypg) and #8 in scoring (29.0 ppg) in 2020. Arizona ranks second in the NFL averaging 160.7 rushing yards per game in 2020. NFL Leaders – Total Off ense (2020) NFL Leaders – Rushing Yards/Game (2020) Rnk Team Yds/G Rnk Team Yds/Gm A Avg TD 1 Arizona 419.1 1 Bal more 178.7 228 5.49 8 2 L.A. Chargers 417.1 2 Arizona 160.7 216 5.21 12 3 Sea le 414.4 3 New England 159.7 221 5.06 10 4 Kansas City 410.5 4 Tennessee 155.6 215 5.07 9 5 Tennessee 407.0 5 Cleveland 150.0 238 5.04 8 Arizona's 12 rushing TDs this season - including Through their fi rst seven games, the Cardinals have 2,934 total net yards of seven in the last three games - rank second in the off ense (1,809 passing; 1,125 rushing). That is the second-highest total in fran- chise history through the fi rst seven games of a season. NFL in 2020. NFL Leaders – Rushing TDs (2020) Franchise History – Most Yards Thru 7 Games Rnk Team TDs Rnk Year Yds 1 San Francisco 14 1 1948 2,977 2 Arizona 12 2 2020 2,934 3t L.A. Rams 11 3 1984 2,913 3t Minnesota 11 4 2015 2,848 5t Atl/NE 10 5 1988 2,827 RUSHING AVERAGE ABOVE RECORD PACE The 2020 season marks the fi rst me in franchise history the Cardinals have After finishing #32 in the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing average in at least 1,800 passing yards and 1,100 rushing yards through the fi rst seven 2018, the Cardinals finished the 2019 season having averaged over 5.0 yards games of a season. per rush attempt as a team for the first time in franchise history. Arizona aver- aged a franchise-record 5.03 yards per rush attempt last season. Arizona Off ensive Rankings in 2020 Sta s c NFL Rnk Through seven games in 2020, the Cardinals are averaging 5.21 yards per rush Total Yards/Game (419.1) 1 a empt, pu ng them on pace to break the franchise record set in 2019. Rushing Yards/Game (160.7) 2ⁿ Rushing Average (5.21) 2nd Arizona's 5.21 rushing yards per a empt in 2020 ranks second in the NFL. Rushing TDs (12) 2nd NFL Leaders – Team Rushing Avg. (2019) Goal-to-Go TD Pct. (94.4) 2ⁿ Rnk Team Avg. Yds A 1st Downs/Game (25.9) 2ⁿ 1 Bal more 5.49 1,251 228 Sacks Allowed (9) t-2ⁿ 2 Arizona 5.21 1,125 216 4th Down Conv. Pct. (85.7) t-3 3 Tennessee 5.07 1,089 215 Big Play Runs (33) t-3 4 New England 5.06 1,118 221 Red Zone TD Pct. (76.0) t-5th 5 Cleveland 5.04 1,200 238 Big Plays (54) 6 RUNNING FOR 150+ UNDER KINGSBURY Total TDs (25) t-8 The Cardinals have rushed for 150+ yards in nine of 23 games under Kingsbury. Passing TDs (13) t-13 Arizona had seven such games in the three seasons (2016-18) prior to his ar- Passing Yards/Game (258.4) 14th rival. The Cardinals are 8-1 when rushing for 150+ yards under Kingsbury. PILING UP 400+ YARDS OFTEN UNDER KINGSBURY LONG DISTANCE RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS Arizona's Week 7 win over the Seahawks (519 total yards) marked the ninth RB Kenyan Drake had a 69-yard rushing TD in Week 6 at Dallas, giving Arizona me – and fi h me this season – Arizona reached 400+ total yards in 23 four rushing TDs of 20+ yards in 2020 (QB Kyler Murray - 2; RB Chase Edmonds games under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Arizona reached 400+ yards just once - 1). That is the most in the NFL this season. in 32 games over the two seasons combined (2017-18) prior to his arrival. In a span of 20 years between 1999-2018, the Cardinals had 500+ total yards in a game just three mes. Arizona has now posted 500+ yards twice in 23 games GIVING CREDIT TO THE O-LINE under Kingsbury (10/6/19 at Cincinna – 514). Despite 48 pass a empts against the Se- ahawks in Week 7, QB Kyler Murray was not 10 STRAIGHT WITH 21+ POINTS sacked once by Sea le. The Seahawks also did not register a single QB hit in the game. The Sunday Night Football victory over The win over Sea le marked the fi rst me the Seahawks (37 points) marked the since 12/23/07 (Kurt Warner at QB - 52) that 10th consecu ve game the Cardinals have the Cardinals allowed no sacks in a game scored at least 21 points. Only two teams they had at least 45 pass a empts. have longer ac ve streaks than Arizona. Below is a look at what the Cardinals have Consecu ve Games Scoring 21+ Pts (Ac ve) been able to accomplish this season behind the off ensive line. Rnk Team Gms 1 Kansas City 19 Keeping Kyler Clean in the Passing Game 2 New Orleans 14 Murray has been well-protected behind the line of scrimmage this season. In 3 Arizona 10 2020, the Cardinals rank: 4 Sea le 8 t-5th in the NFL in total QB pressures (42) 5t Detroit 7 5th in the NFL in sack percentage (3.4) 5t Pi sburgh 7 t-2nd in the NFL in sacks allowed (9) 1st in the NFL in sack yardage (38) There has only been one streak in franchise history longer than the Cardinals current one. The team scored 21+ in 11 straight games between 1983-84. Helping the Run Game Succeed The Cardinals have one of the NFL's top run games in 2020. Arizona ranks: Arizona has scored 203 points in 2020. That represents the fi h-highest total t-3rd in runs of 10+ yards (33) in franchise history through the fi rst seven games of a season. 3rd in runs of 20+ yards (10) Franchise Record – Points Thru 1st 7 Games 2ⁿ in rushing average (5.21) Rnk Year Pts 2ⁿ in rushing yards per game (160.7) SCORING 21+ UNDER KINGSBURY 2nd in rushing TDs (12) 1 1948 250 1st in rushing average before contact (4.12) 2 2015 229 The Cardinals have scored 21+ points in 17 of 23 games 3 1984 215 under Kingsbury. Arizona scored 21+ points in an NFL-low The Cardinals are 6-3 over the last two seasons (2019-20) in games they allow 4 1967 207 9 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival (2017-18). one sack or fewer. Arizona has won three such games in a row. The Cardinals 5 2020 203 are 3-0 during that stretch when they don’t allow a sack. 7 VANCE'S DEFENSE GETS IT DONE CAPTAIN BAKER - CARDINALS HEART & SOUL
The Cardinals last two opponents - Dallas and Seattle - entered their game ""TheThe guyguy isis a humanhuman eraser.eraser. HeHe makesmakes a tonton ofof tackles,tackles, hehe bringsbrings energy,energy, against Arizona with the NFL's #3 ranked and #2 ranked scoring offenses. hhee bbringsrings juice,juice, he'she's physical.physical. He'sHe's ourour leaderleader andand ourour heartheart andand soulsoul onon The Cardinals emerged 2-0 in those contests and despite all the firepower ddefense."efense." - GMGM SteveSteve KKeimeim Arizona has faced recently, the team features the NFL's #9 ranked scoring defense. ""NobodyNobody meansmeans moremore toto thisthis footballfootball teamteam thanthan BuddaBudda Baker,Baker, andand youyou ccanan taketake tthathat toto thethe bank."bank." - WRWR LarryLarry FitzgeraldFitzgerald Points/Game Allowed (2020) Rnk Team PPG Signed to a four-year contract extension 1 Miami 18.6 during training camp, S Budda Baker is 2 Bal more 18.9 delivering quite the encore performance 3t Kansas City 19.0 this year a er a breakout campaign in 3t L.A. Rams 19.0 2019. 5 Indianapolis 19.4 Fresh off being named "NFC Defensive 6 Pi sburgh 20.3 Player of the Month" for October, Baker 7 Tampa Bay 20.6 has vaulted himself into the conversa on 8 Chicago 20.8 for Defensive Player of the Year with his 9 Arizona 20.9 performance so far in 2020. 10 San Francisco 21.6 In Week 7 vs. Sea le, Baker posted a ALLOWING 20 POINTS OR FEWER game-high 14 tackles, his second INT of The Cardinals (4) are one of eight teams in the NFL that has held opponents to the season, a tackle for loss and a pass 20 points or fewer in at least four games, joining Kanasas City (7), LA Rams (5), defensed in the win over Sea le. It was a fi ng end to a remarkable six- Tampa Bay (5), Chicago (4), Bal more (4), Miami (4) and San Francisco (4). day stretch on the na onal stage in which the All-Pro was named a team Arizona is 4-0 in games it allows 20 points or fewer this season. captain, totaled 21 tackles, 2 INTs (one returned 90 yards), 1.0 sack, 2 passes defensed, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, a forced fumble and an NFC “Defen- DEFENSE COMES THROUGH IN THE SECOND HALF VS. SEATTLE sive Player of the Week” award (Week 6). Arizona’s unforgettable comeback vs. Seattle on Sunday Night Football in Week 7 wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of the defense in the second half. Despite playing the last three games with a cast on his thumb from a surgery The Cardinals outscored Seattle 20-7 in the second half/OT as the defense held that forced him to miss the Week 4 at Carolina, Baker has registered 59 tack- the Seahawks high-powered offense to just one TD on their final six possessions, les, 2.0 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 2 INTs, 3 passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2020. His 59 tackles are ed for the team lead (Jordan Hicks), as are his 2 which went as follows: INTs (Patrick Peterson). -- Punt / INT / TD / Punt / Punt / INT -- Baker’s 59 tackles rank third among all NFL DBs in 2020, despite him having The Cardinals defense was at its best in the most crucial time – the OT period. On played two fewer games than any other player in the top-5 on the list. the Seahawks two OT possessions, Arizona’s defense recorded 2.0 sacks, 4 tackles NFL Leaders – Total Tackles by a DB (2020) for loss, 2 QB hits, an INT and held Seattle to minus-6 rushing yards. Rnk Player (Team) Tackles GP CARDS DEFENSE IN THE LAST 11 GAMES 1t S Jeremy Chinn (Car) 66 8 Below is a look at Arizona's defensive rankings un- 1t S Jordan Poyer (Buf) 66 8 der defensive coordinator Vance Joseph da ng back 3 S Budda Baker (AZ) 59 6 to the fi nal four games of the 2019 season. 4 S Vonn Bell (Cin) 58 8 NFL Defensive Ranks (Since Week 14 of 2019) 5 S Jessie Bates (Cin) 57 8 Sta s c Rnk nd Since the start of the 2019 season, Baker leads all NFL DBs in total (206) Rushing TDs Allowed (6) t-2 and solo (137) tackles - and leads by a wide margin. Tackles for Loss (63) 5th Points Allowed/Game (21.5) 5 NFL Leaders – Total Tackles by a DB (2019-20) Red Zone TD % (51.3) 5 Rnk Player (Team) Tackles Solo GP TDs Allowed (21) 8 1 S Budda Baker (AZ) 206 137 22 Yards/Play Allowed (5.33) 9 2 S Jordan Poyer (Buf) 170 99 24 Sacks (29) t-10 3 S Landon Collins (Was) 158 95 22 Passing Yards/Game (231.9) 14 4 S Jessie Bates III (Cin) 157 103 24 Net Yards Allowed/Game (360.5) 15 5 CB Logan Ryan (Ten/NYG) 156 97 23 FIRST 50 GAMES, 0 INTS - LAST 2 GAMES, 2 INTS A er going without an INT in his fi rst 50 career games, Baker now has an INT GOLDEN RETURNS TO AZ in each of the last two games. He tallied his fi rst career INT off Cowboys QB Andy Dalton on Monday Night Football in Week 6. Prior to the last two-game stretch, the last me Baker had an INT in consecu ve games was in his sopho- On October 23, the Cardinals sent a 2021 sixth- more year at the University of Washington in 2015 when he had an INT at round pick to the Giants in exchange for LB Stanford (10/24) and vs. Arizona (10/31). Markus Golden, who played the fi rst four years (2015-18) of his career in Arizona. Originally a second-round selec on by the Cardi- REDDICK SACKS & SIMMONS STEPS UP nals in the 2015 NFL Dra out of Missori, Golden had 19 sacks, 119 tackles, 6 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 46 games with Arizona. SEVEN GAMES IN, A CAREER HIGH IN SACKS FOR REDDICK Fourth-year LB Haason Reddick con nued his GOLDEN'S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN breakout performance this season with one During his second year in the NFL, Golden set of the most produc ve games of his career in single-season career highs with 12.5 sacks ( ed the victory over Sea le in Week 7. He fi nished for third in the league), 16 tackles for loss and 4 with 11 tackles, a sack, 3 tackles for loss and forced fumbles during a breakout campaign. 3 QB hits - with his 3 QB hits and 3 tackles for NFL Leaders – Sacks (2016) loss se ng career highs for a single game. Rnk Player (Team) Sacks Reddick came up with a big sack on the Se- 1 Vic Beasley, Jr. (Atl) 15.5 ahawks opening possession of the OT period, 2 Von Miller (Den) 13.5 taking down Russell Wilson for a six-yard loss. 3t Markus Golden (AZ) 12.5 He now has 5.0 sacks in 2020, a new career high. All 5.0 sacks have come in the 3t Lorenzo Alexander (Buf) 12.5 last six games, including 3.0 in the last two games. 3t Danielle Hunter (Min) 12.5 Reddick now joins Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs as the only Cardinals de- His 12.5 sacks were the most in franchise history for a LB at the me - and fenders in the last three seasons (2018-20) to post at least 5.0 sacks in a season. currently rank as the 10th-best single season total in franchise history. He be- SIMMONS MAKES PLAY OF THE GAME IN CARDINALS WIN came the 10th diff erent player in team history, regardless of posi on, with Rookie LB Isaiah Simmons - the #8 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Dra out of Clem- 10.0+ sacks in a season. son - only played fi ve defensive snaps in the win vs. Sea le but that’s all it took JOINING ELITE COMPANY IN THE BIG APPLE for him to make with the play that led to the Cardinals game-winning FG in OT. During his fi rst season with New York in 2019, Golden set single-season ca- With Arizona having just missed a poten al game-winning FG, Sea le took over reer highs in tackles (72) and QB hits (27) and led the Giants with 10.0 sacks. on the ensuing possession and with just over a minute remaining in OT they faced a 3rd-n-14 at their own 48-yard line. Russell Wilson a empted a pass over He became the fi rst Giants player with double-digit sacks since Jason Pierre- the middle to Tyler Locke that Simmons intercepted and returned 12 yards Paul (12.5 in 2014), and joined Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor (7x) as the to the SEA 49-yard line. Six plays later - with just 0:15 remaining - the Cardinals only LBs in franchise history with 10+ sacks in a season. kicked the game-winning 48-yard FG. 8 KYLER MURRAY - AT A G LANCE NOTHING LIKE NUMBERS MURRAY IS PUTTING UP