The Arizona Cardinals got a game-winning 32-yard field goal from kicker Chad Ryland as time expired to give them a 17-15 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Chargers to improve to 3-4.
It was a tough, physical game. They didn’t allow the Chargers to score a touchdown, and that took an improbable play early in the game.
Kyler Murray led Arizona on a game-winning drive with under two minutes to go and James Conner was the star again, going 33 yards on a pass play to get Arizona in field goal range in the final drive. He finished with 101 rushing yards and 152 total yards.
Murray was picked off once but had a passing touchdown and a 44-yard rushing touchdown in the win.
Below is how the game went down.
INT fumble! Cardinals take over again!
Belichick is not wrong about James Conner.
pic.twitter.com/T0bdNaI41c— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 22, 2024
Khalil Mack tipped a Kyler Murray pass, which was picked off Teair Tart for a turnover. As he returned the interception, James Conner forced him to fumble and Michael Wilson recovered. The Cardinals had gotten beyond midfield but they got to reset at their own 28 instead of losing the ball completely.
Another Cardinals takeaway
It looked like the Chargers would take a 7-0 with a long touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Jalen Reagor. But Star Thomas knocked the ball out and it kicked into the end zone, giving the Cardinals the ball at the 20.
The stars are out tonight 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RK1sKQx6a4
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 22, 2024
Chargers 3, Cardinals 0
Max Melton forced a fourth down with a pass breakup, but Cameron Dicker nailed a long 59-yard field goal to give the Chargers the lead. It was a long 13-play drive that took more than seven minutes, but the Chargers only gained 49 yards.
Cardinals dodge bullet
James Conner took a screen pass 21 yards into L.A. territory but had the ball punched out by cornerback Cameron Hart. Fortunately, Trey McBride recovered the fumble.
Cardinals 7, Chargers 3
MURRAY -> DORTCH FOR 6 pic.twitter.com/cuVpZRwGn0
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 22, 2024
The Cardinals answered the field goal with a touchdown, going 79 yards in 10 plays. Conner was a big part of the drive with a 21-yard catch (although he did fumble it and had McBride recover it to keep the drive alive) and a 14-yard run. Murray found Greg Dortch for a five-yard touchdown to get on the board. It was Dortch’s first score of the season.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting hurt
After making a tackle for loss, Murphy-Bunting called for a sub. He ended up being taken to the locker room. He apparently aggravated the neck injury he suffered last week. The team announced he was questionable to return.
Cardinals 7, Chargers 6
The Chargers kicked a 50-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to pull within a point. Ben Stille, elevated from the practice squad, sacked Herbert to force the field goal.
Sack snuffs out first 2nd-half drive
Hunted ’em down 👊
📺: #LACvsAZ on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/a77AsJTD02
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 22, 2024
Naquan Jones’ second sack of the season after the Chargers had a second-and-20 made a promising drive to start the second half for the Chargers fizzle out and result in a punt. It was the Cardinals’ second sack of Herbert of the game.
Stuffed twice for turnover on downs
The Cardinals got past midfield and found themselves with a third-and-1. Clayton Tune attempted two QB sneaks only to be stuffed twice for a turnover on downs. The Chargers took over at their own 45.
Chargers 9, Cardinals 7
.@dstills55 comes up big 👏 pic.twitter.com/njNMf6EMC4
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 22, 2024
After the turnover on downs, the Chargers added their third field goal of the night, a 28-yarder after the Cardinals kept them out of the end zone in the red zone. Dante Stills sacked Herbert and Garrett Williams broke up the third-down pass to Will Dissly.
Dennis Gardeck out with knee injury
Gardeck left the game with a knee injury and it was announced he was questionable to return. However, he was seen on the sideline in sweats. He wasn’t returning.
Kyler Murray TD! Cardinals 14, Chargers 9
Kinda like Mahomes. But better. pic.twitter.com/XXeJXprxpn
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 22, 2024
Murray broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run to give the Cardinals the lead. He basically jogged the last 20 yards of the play. The drive lasted only 1:26 and went 70 yards in four plays.
Cardinals 14, Chargers 12
The Chargers got a 31-yard pass to tight end Stone Smartt, and that set up a 47-yard field goal to pull within two points.
Chargers 15, Cardinals 14
Dicker’s fifth field goal of the game, a 40-yarder, gave the Chargers a one-point lead with 1:54 to go. They started the drive at their own two and ate up more than eight minutes of game time.
Ryland wins it! Cardinals 17, Chargers 15
The Cardinals got a 32-yard game-winning field goal from Chad Ryland as time expired to win the game. James Conner had a 33-yard catch to get the Cardinals in field-goal range and then got over 100 rushing for the night.
It was Ryland’s second game-winning field goal in three games with the Cardinals.
They improved to 3-4.
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