The Arizona Cardinals finally got their first win of the season on Sunday, a 26-23 last-second victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Some players stood out for their play. Some struggled or performed less than perhaps was expected.
Who are the studs and duds for the Cardinals in Week 5?
Stud: QB Kyler Murray
What can you say? 253 passing yards with no turnovers? 93 rushing yards and a touchdown? And he was only sacked once? This is a big-time game from a rookie quarterback, even though he didn’t have a touchdown pass. He performed well and was even better late in the game.
Here are the numbers, per the team’s head of media relations:
Dud: LT D.J. Humphries
Humphries was part of the offensive line that only allowed one sack and blocked for 268 rushing yards. However, Humphries picked up three penalties. Once was for being an ineligible receiver down the field on one play. He was twice penalized for illegal blocks. One negated a 13-yard reception by Larry Fitzgerald.
Stud: K Zane Gonzalez
After he missed his first field-goal attempt, it looked like he would find himself among the duds of this game. However, he connected on his next four, including the game winner as time expired, finishing 4-for-5 on field goals and perfect on both extra points.
Dud: S Deionte Thompson
Thompson played significantly on defense for the first time in his career. He had three tackles and a QB hit, but he drew two penalties. Once was for unnecessary roughness and the other was for pass interference. He could definitely improve.
Stud: RB David Johnson
Johnson had a classic David Johnson game. He had 19 rushing attempts for 91 yards. Both are season-highs. He caught three passes for 65 yards. In all, it was 156 total yards from scrimmage. He didn’t score a touchdown but he was very good and did all of that with a back that was bothering him for over half the game.
Dud: WR KeeSean Johnson
Johnson played more snaps than any other receiver. He finished with three catches for 22 yards. He wasn’t bad but he did not come up with a pair of catches he probably should have. He himself tweeted after the game he needed to do better.
Stud: RB Chase Edmonds
Edmonds was a spark plug in the offense. He finished with 68 rushing yards on eight carries. He had a 37-yard touchdown run. He continues to make Kliff Kingsbury play him on offense.
Dud: Cardinals pass rush
The Bengals had allowed 19 sacks entering the game including eight in Week 4. The Cardinals managed only one. Andy Dalton had plenty of time and was rarely pressured. The Cardinals should have gotten more, especially late in the game.
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