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Thanks to a Zane Gonzalez field goal that flew through the uprights as time expired, Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray was able to get his first NFL win, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-23. Although he didn't throw a touchdown pass, one could argue Murray had his best game of the young season.
Murray was able to rush for a career high 93 yards while throwing for 253 yards, but more importantly, he was able to lead his team to a win. What people hope to see from young quarterbacks on struggling teams is if they are able to see slight improvements each time they take the field. Murray was able to keep the ball out of his opponents hands while staying away from negative plays.
His offensive line is anything but spectacular, but Murray was able to only take one sack in the game. The kind of escapability we saw from him on Sunday helps negate his terrible O-line, while also being able to extend plays both with his feet and arm.
Each game that he plays will give him more and more confidence in head coach Kliff Kingsbury's air raid system. That system was in full display in Murray's first career game, throwing the ball 52 times in a game that ended in a tie. However, it seems that he is at his best when throwing between 30-40 times a game while also having his run game established.
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Let us not forget who is lining up behind Murray, former Pro Bowler David Johnson. Letting Johnson run the ball, as he did on Sunday for 91 yards, gives their offense a different dimension. The run game also opens up holes for Murray, whether it be on an RPO and letting him take off himself or seeing a receiver down field.
It has been tough for Murray so far, but in the circumstances he is currently in he has been able to learn and improve each and every game. He has shown the dual threat ability that made him the first pick in the most recent draft in addition to displaying the kind of toughness people questioned.
Murray will have the opportunity add to his growing confidence next week as Arizona will face an Atlanta Falcons team that is struggling to say the least. Hoping to have receiver Christian Kirk back by then, Murray will have the opportunity to use his legs once again with Atlanta sitting in the bottom half of rushing yards allowed per game. Murray is not stranger to doubters as he will try and silence them once again this Sunday.
