Rewind: Chiefs dominate Cards on both sides of ball
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray struggled to find a rhythm Sunday against the Kansas City chiefs, while Patrick Mahomes again proved he is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.
The result was a 44-21 victory for Kansas City.
Mahomes finished the game 30for-39 for 360 yards and five touchdowns. Murray was 22-for-34 for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Most of Murray's yards and both touchdowns came in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City led from the first drive. The Chiefs were up 23-7 at the half and 37-7 after three quarters.
Murray led the Cardinals in rushing with five carries for 29 yards, but close behind him were Eno Benjamin (4-28), James Conner (10-26), and Trace McSorley (3-20).
Greg Dortch led the Cardinals with seven catches for 63 yards.
It wasn't just the Arizona offense that struggled. The numbers by Mahomes and the 128 rushing yards the team compiled speak to the holes in the Cardinals defense.
The inactives released before the game gave a glimpse into the Cardinals future. Out were defensive end J.J. Watt, guard Justin Pugh, linebacker Myjai Sanders, corner Trayvon Mullen, tight end Trey McBride, receiver Rondale Moore, and running back Keaontay Ingram.
Through three quarters, Conner was the only running back the Cardinals used. Murray was under constant pressure.
Budda Baker led the Cardinals with 13 tackles, which is good for him, but not for the Cardinals. The teams top four tacklers were two safeties (Baker, Jalen Thompson), linebacker Zaven Collins and corner Marco Wilson. The team didn't record any sacks or interceptions. It forced just two punts as Kansas City was 6-for-8 when converting on third/ fourth down.
The bright spot for the Cardinals defense was a forced and recovered fumble late in the first half. However, nothing came of that turnover as the Arizona offense never got moving.