Win boosts Cards’ playoff hopes
Just when it looked like Arizona’s football season was on the brink of collapse, the team had one of its best performances in a 26-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday.
The Cardinals (7-6) snapped their three-game losing streak, and now a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 is there for the taking. It’s another example of how quickly emotions can change during an NFL season’s long grind.
“I think our guys feel good about taking a step towards where we want to go, and we just have to continue to build on it,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
Arizona would earn the last wild-card spot in the NFC if the regular season ended today. The Cardinals’ next two games are at home against the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers before a road finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
Arizona got back to its winning ways on Sunday thanks to a stellar performance by the defense. Linebacker Haason Reddick set a franchise record with five sacks and the Cardinals limited the Giants to just 159 total yards.
Reddick is the latest in a string of unlikely heroes for a defense
that has battled injuries all season.
“They have that group mentality where it’s not about who gets there, it’s just about getting there,” Kingsbury said. “It’s been awesome, couldn’t be prouder of Haason and what he’s been able to do.”
Second-year quarterback Kyler Murray was solid against New York, throwing for 244 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also ran for 47 yards. But Murray was quick to give credit to the defense for Sunday’s success, adding it wasn’t unexpected.
“That’s who they are,” Murray said. “They are a great defense no matter what anybody says.”
Arizona’s pass rush has been way better than expected without 2019 All-pro linebacker Chandler Jones, who was lost for the season in October because of biceps injury. Reddick, Dennis Gardeck and Markus Golden combined for eight sacks against the Giants in the latest example of the team’s resilience.
It wasn’t long ago that Reddick, 26, looked like a bust after being selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 draft. But the linebacker has been very good in his fourth season, leading the team with 10 sacks. He’s set to become a free agent after the season and will likely get a big payday from someone, whether it’s the Cardinals or another team. Arizona didn’t pick up his fifth-year option.
While defensive pressure has improved, the Cardinals have been struggling with red-zone offense, especially against the Giants. The Cardinals scored touchdowns in just two of their seven trips inside the 20 on Sunday, which kept the game closer than it probably should have been.