If the Arizona Cardinals want to spoil the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing would be best advised to get the ball to tight end Trey McBride early and often. Somehow, McBride only had three receptions in the Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. His three receptions were tied for the fewest he has had in a game this season and his 20 yards were the fewest in a game this season.
With two games to spare, McBride has 92 receptions for 958 yards, working as the leading pass catcher in the Cardinals offense. Whether intentionally or not, McBride has been the primary target of quarterback Kyler Murray out of Petzing’s scheme.
McBride works ideally as a block and release, flat, intermediate, and third-level receiver and is an essential piece to the team’s offense.
McBride also deserves credit for his labor as a run blocker, helping to seal up the edge for running back James Conner on stretch-run concepts. It’s McBride’s physicality and agility that make him a very apparent force in the dynamic Cardinals offense.
Giving accolades to McBride isn’t enough however, Murray needs to continue to get him the ball. The Cardinals won’t make the postseason this year so the least the could do is give their fans something to cheer for by pulling out an upset versus a team rival.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
