Murray throws for 4 TDs, unbeaten Cards batter Browns
CLEVELAND — As loud music blasted inside Arizona’s locker room, players danced and could be heard shouting “undefeated” while coach Kliff Kingsbury smiled at the wild scene via a FaceTime call from home.
The Cardinals survived — undaunted and perfect.
Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes as the Cardinals remained the NFL’s only unbeaten team and continued their best start since 1974 — without Kingsbury on Sunday — with a 37-14 win over the battered, reeling Cleveland Browns.
The Cardinals (6-0) built a 20-0 lead in the first half and kept their perfect record intact despite not having Kingsbury or star linebacker Chandler Jones, who both tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
“It was a rough week,” said Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who took on some of Kingsbury’s duties. “No one wavered. No one blinked. Every day it was bad news.”
Murray connected with DeAndre Hopkins for two TDs, and Arizona’s shifty quarterback came up with a clutch play whenever the Cardinals needed one.
Following the game, owner Michael Bidwell reached Kingsbury, who was able to talk to several players and coaches.
“I couldn’t really hear him because it was pretty loud,” said Murray, who joked that Kingsbury’s absence allowed him to freelance a little more. “It might be a product of not having a coach out there. I have a little more leeway without him.”
Joseph credited the entire staff and especially assistant receivers coach Spencer Whipple, who handled the communication to Murray.
“The operation was very smooth, being on the road for us to not have coach Kliff,” said Murray, who completed 20 of 30 passes for 229 yards. “Whipp kept calling it aggressively and we got it going.”
The Browns (3-3) have lost two straight under coach Kevin Stefanski for the first time and Cleveland has bigger concerns, most notably a growing list of major injuries.
The latest was to running back Kareem Hunt, carted to the locker room in the fourth quarter with a calf injury. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Hunt did not injure his Achilles tendon and will undergo further imaging today.
Cleveland was already missing star running back Nick Chubb (calf) and the Browns, who host Denver on Thursday night, played without both their starting offensive tackles.
Also, quarterback Baker Mayfield reinjured his left shoulder and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. briefly left with a shoulder issue. Mayfield committed three turnovers: two fumbles and an interception.
Mayfield’s left arm was in a sling as he addressed the media following the game.
“I mean, it dislocated again and then slipped out again on a non-contact play, so just got to figure out a way to get better,” said Mayfield, who was asked if he plans to play Thursday night.
“Absolutely,” he said.