The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-10 on Sunday on the road at Acrisure Stadium. It was their first road win of the season, their first win over the Steelers since 2007 and first win in Pittsburgh since 1969.
In the win, some players stood out for their play. Others were perhaps a bit disappointing.
Let’s take a look at the Cardinals’ studs and duds in their win on Sunday.
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STUD: RB James Conner
Yes, of course Conner makes it as a stud. He was the driving force on offense to close out the game. He was bottled up for much of the game but he closed with big runs. He scored twice. He had his second 100-yard game of the season and the third since he joined the Cardinals.
STUD: TE Trey McBride
The second half belonged to Conner. The first belonged to McBride.
He finished the game with eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for receptions by a tight end.
He had six of the eight catches in the first half.
There were 13 total completions by the Cardinals. Eight went to McBride, who has suddenly become one of the team’s best playmakers.
DUD: WR Marquise Brown
Brown was dealing with a heel injury that kept him from practicing all week. It showed. He had to come out in the second half.
However, he finished without a catch on three targets. He dropped one, too.
They didn’t need him, but he certainly was underwhelming in his play.
STUD: LB Josh Woods
Woods, starting for the second time in place of Kyzir White, had a great game. He had 11 tackles, including one for a loss. As the player with the green dot on his helmet to receive the play calls from defensive coordinator Nick Rallis and relay them to the rest of the defense, the communication was great.
The Steelers only had 317 total yards of offense but did rush for 130 yards.
DUD: WR Rondale Moore
Moore had a fantastic would-be touchdown grab that was nullified by a holding penalty.
However, he also dropped a deep pass he should have caught and fumbled a handoff. He finished with one catch for six yards.
STUD: DL Kevin Strong
Strong returned to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury. He had five tackles but was all over. He made the tackle on the fourth-down goalline stop that preceded the Cardinals’ 99-yard touchdown drive.
