Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tosses against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, December 20, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo / Ross D. Franklin)
After the Arizona Cardinals hit the first 16 points of the game in the first quarter, they found resistance from then on in a 33-26 victory at State Farm Stadium that amounted to the final game.
The Philadelphia Eagles stayed away from behind for the next two bouts on Sunday as their rookie quarterback, Jalen Hurts, found a rhythm and some confidence in his second career start.
Without their starting bettor, Cameron Johnston, the Eagles came in a tie on 26 points all in a third quarter run with a 23 yard gain on 3rd and 29 and then a converted 4th and 6 game. Hurts hedged that property by dragging Cardinals security Budda Baker to the end zone.
But faced with the blown lead, Arizona turned to the best player. DeAndre Hopkins made a 44-yard catch-and-run on a third down with 9:35 left in the game and on the next third down, he hit a 20-yard touchdown to put Arizona ahead 33-26.
That pass gave quarterback Kyler Murray the first 400-yard pass game.
He completed 27 of 36 passes for 406 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception to offset Hurts’ 338 yards and three scores.
The Cardinals defense, struggling to contain the Eagles’ passing attack, played late on Philadelphia’s penultimate possession. The Eagles had 1st-and-10 on Arizona’s 11-yard line with three minutes to go, but sacks from Dennis Gardeck and Leki Fotu brought in the third and 21.
Hurts’ pass to tight end Dallas Goedert hit the grass on the third down, and Arizona safety Chris Banjo smashed another end zone shot down on the fourth to give Arizona the ball with 1:55 to burn.
Philadelphia used the three remaining timeouts while Arizona boiled just half a minute off the clock on his next possession before punting. Hurts moved the ball from his team’s 22-yard line to the Arizona 31 before two more end-zone pass-breakups sealed victory for the Cardinals.
Hopkins finished the day with nine catches for 169 yards and a score.
Zach Allen led the Cardinals’ defense with 11 tackles, a sack, and a defended pass.
