The Arizona Cardinals took a 7-0 lead on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. After that, it was complete domination by the Commanders. They scored 27 straight points and rolled to a 42-14 win at State Farm Stadium for their third straight win. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury returned to Arizona for the first time since he was fired as head coach after the 2022 season and put on an offensive clinic.
They rolled up 449 yards of total offense, including 216 on the ground and converted on third down on 9-of-12 attempts. They intercepted rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels but did not sack him and he completed 26-of-30 passes for 233 yards, a touchdown and a pick.
The Cardinals converted on only one of their first nine third-down attempts and allowed three sacks.
Arizona dropped to 1-3.
Here is what happened in the game.
Cardinals 7, Commanders 0
Some Murray Magic to Marvelous Marv 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4Fzg2hmOzp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 29, 2024
The Cardinals had no problem moving the ball on their first drive to open the game. DeeJay Dallas returned the kickoff 39 yards but fumbled the ball. Emari Demercado recovered and then they went 55 yards in nine plays. James Conner rushed for 31 yards and, on fourth down and less than a yard, Kyler Murray found rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for a two-yard touchdown pass.
Cardinals 7, Commanders 7
The Commanders answered with a touchdown of their own. Brian Robinson tied the game with a six-yard touchdown run, going for 38 yards on the drive. Jayden Daniels only had to throw two passes. They went 70 yards in nine plays.
Commanders 14, Cardinals 7
The run game continued to be a problem. Jeremy McNichols had a 27-yard run for a score to give the Commanders the lead. Daniels had a couple of runs and was still a perfect 7-for-7 passing.
TAKEAWAY! Garrett Williams INT
HE’LL TAKE THAT
📺: #WASvsAZ on FOX pic.twitter.com/XaUaKmd8Iu
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 29, 2024
Garrett Williams picked off Daniels as Washington was moving the ball again. It was the first interception Daniels has thrown this season and the first turnover by Washington.
The Cardinals took over at their own 18. Unfortunately, they went three-and-out on the drive.
Commanders punt!
The Cardinals finally got the Commanders off the field on third down. After a no-gain rush and a run for minus-five yards, the Commanders were forced to punt for the first time since Week 1.
Murray sacked on 4th down, passing on FG
The Cardinals were in field-goal range but chose to go for it on fourth-and-one at the Washington 35 instead of kicking a very makeable 53-yard field goal. Murray was sacked and Washington took over at their 43 with 29 seconds left in the half.
Commanders 17, Cardinals 7
The Commanders kicked a 45-yard field goal as time expired to end the half after the turnover on downs. They entered halftime with a 10-point lead and would receive the second-half kickoff.
Commanders 24, Cardinals 7
A 47-yard pass interference penalty on cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting on a throw that the receiver wasn’t going to catch set up a nine-yard touchdown run by Daniels.
Commanders 27, Cardinals 7
Arizona got off the field on third down, but it was after they allowed a fourth-down conversation on the drive. The Commanders added a 38-yard field goal to push the lead to 20. That came after the Cardinals had a terrible offensive possession, getting called for two holding penalties, giving up a sack and running a draw play on third-and-34, leading to booing from the fans.
Commanders 27, Cardinals 14
The Cardinals hurried it up but used the ground game as James Conner went over 100 yards for the game with a six-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.
Commanders 35, Cardinals 14
Daniels threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin and then completed a two-point conversion to Zach Ertz to push the lead to 21 points. They were up to 182 total rushing yards and 388 total yards for the game.
Cardinals turn it over
Playing a hurry-up offense, Michael Wilson had the ball stripped and he fumbled on a 22-yard play that nearly got the Cardinals in the red zone.
Commanders 42, Cardinals 14
Jeremy McNichols scored for the second time of the game, a seven-yard run, as the Commanders continued to pour it on the Cardinals’ defense.
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