The Denver Post

Hail Mary from Murray

Arizona stuns Buffalo in final seconds with an improbable catch

- By David Brandt

GLENDALE, ARIZ. » Hail Murray!

Kyler Murray completed a stunning 43yard desperatio­n pass to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 seconds left to lift the Arizona Cardinals to a 32- 30 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

The catch was throw.

The game appeared lost for the Cardinals until Murray rolled out to his left as the seconds ticked off the clock. He flung the ball toward the end zone, where Hopkins was waiting with three Buffalo defenders as sensationa­l as the draped all over him. Somehow, the threetime All- Pro came down with the ball, and the Cardinals started a wild celebratio­n in the end zone.

Josh Allen threw a 21- yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with 34 seconds left that looked like it would win it for the Bills ( 7- 3). But Murray and the Cardinals ( 6- 3, tied for the NFC West lead) ended the Bills’ winning streak at three games with the improbable throw and catch.

It was a crazy ending to another entertaini­ng Cardinals game, which usually have come down to the final seconds in recent weeks. Murray threw for 245 yards, one touchdown and one intercepti­on. Hopkins had seven catches for 127 yards — and he’ll remember the last one for a long, long time.

The Cardinals trailed 23- 9 midway through the third quarter but responded with two touchdown drives sandwiched around a field goal to take a 26- 23 lead by the beginning of the fourth. Murray, wearing bright yellow cleats, ran for both of the touchdowns, including a 15- yard dash up the middle that gave Arizona its first lead of the day.

Allen was having a mediocre game until the late drive that lasted 12 plays and went 73 yards. The quarterbac­k capped the series with a perfect throw to a diving Diggs, who finished with 10 catches for 93 yards.

Allen completed 32- of- 49 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns and two intercepti­ons. Cole Beasley had 11 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

 ?? Ross D. Franklin, The Associated Press ?? Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches the game- winning touchdown while swarmed by Bills defenders during the final moments of their game Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
Ross D. Franklin, The Associated Press Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches the game- winning touchdown while swarmed by Bills defenders during the final moments of their game Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

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