The Arizona Cardinals had some solid performances from players on Sunday when they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27. Some players did not perform as well.
Who were the studs and duds in the game?
Stud: WR Christian Kirk
Kirk was huge. He had six receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time a player had three receiving touchdowns since Larry Fitzgerald did it in 2015. He had not had a touchdown all season. He doubled his career touchdown total. Based on his production in his seven games played so far this season, he is on pace for 75 catches and 867 yards. Not bad for a 13-game season.
Dud: RB David Johnson
Fans are not happy with Johnson. He didn’t have a good game. He rushed five times for two yards. He caught only one pass for eight yards and he then fumbled on the one reception, which led to a Tampa Bay field goal. He got benched after the fumble.
Stud: QB Kyler Murray
Murray was great again. He completed 27-of-44 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. He did throw his first interception in six weeks and it led to the Bucs’ game-winning touchdown, but he was otherwise fantastic. He also led the team with 38 rushing yards.
Dud: RB Kenyan Drake
Drake was not particularly great after his sensational debut against the San Francisco 49ers. He wasn’t necessarily bad but he wasn’t effective. He rushed 10 times for 35 yards and 17 of them came on one run. He had six receptions, but they totaled six yards.
Stud: OLB Chandler Jones
Jones picked up a pair of sacks on Sunday, bringing his total to 11.5 on the season. He forced a fumble, although the Bucs recovered it. He set a team record for sacks in the first 10 games of a season.
Dud: TE Maxx Williams
It isn’t that Williams is expected to put up big numbers. He isn’t. He did have one catch for 15 yards but the dud part was the catch he didn’t have. Going for it on fourth down in field goal range, Williams was wide open and Kyler Murray threw a great pass. However, Williams lost it in the sun and dropped a sure first down and likely touchdown.
Stud: P Andy Lee
You know who had a higher passer rating that Kyler Murray on Sunday? Lee did. Not only was fantastic with his punting, averaging 52.7 yards per kick with a 49.7-yard net average, he also made a fantastic throw on a fake punt attempt. He completed a 26-yard pass down the field to Pharoh Cooper to keep a drive alive. That was good for a 118.8 passer rating.
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