Chad Ryland Arizona CardinalsDavid Santiago/Miami Herald

Don’t look now but the Cardinals just won consecutive games under difficult circumstances, having to play late into a Monday night and then flying cross-country to beat the Dolphins in 82-degree Miami heat on Sunday, 28-27. They’ve also won each game, including their 17-15 victory over the Chargers Oct. 21, on a walk-off field goal by Chad Ryland.

Ryland, drafted by Bill Belichick in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, lost a camp battle with Joey Slye and signed a practice-squad contract in Arizona (4-4). When Matt Prater (knee) went on injured reserve, Ryland has been money for the Cardinals. In four games with Arizona, he’s 8-for-9 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points – with three game-winning kicks, including a 35-yarder at San Francisco Oct. 6.

But according to Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano, the win over the Dolphins (2-5) was the sweetest for Arizona. Not only did the Cardinals spoil the return of Tua Tagovailoa, their dangerous passing game also woke up from an early season hibernation. That’s critical because Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison are finding their rhythm at a great time.

“If the Cardinals’ offense continues to play the way it did against the Dolphins,” Manzano wrote, “they have a strong shot of winning the wide-open NFC West.”

Wide open because the division’s top three teams, including San Francisco and Seattle, are 4-4. While the Rams (3-4) are finally pointing in the right direction after a big Week 8 win over Minnesota, the Cardinals have won three of their last four as they prepare to host the Bears (4-3) on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS). After Chicago, Arizona gets the Jets at home before a Week 11 bye.

Playing where his dad helped the Colts win the Super Bowl at the end of the 2006 season, Harrison registered 111 yards on a season-best six catches, including a 22-yard touchdown reception. Five of those six receptions were first downs and the rookie did it against a Miami defense ranked No. 1 against the pass (154.5 yards allowed per game). The receiver is obviously an important element to an offense that features formidable weapons in tight end Trey McBride, running back James Conner and Murray, Murray, who was 26 of 36 for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

And credit Murray, who hasn’t just guided the team on those three game-winning drives over the last four games – including a commanding 13-play, five-minute march on Sunday. He’s also presided over an Arizona offense that has 11 touchdowns on 11 goal-to-go possessions (no other team is perfect in such situations this year). His offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack over the last three games. And with Budda Baker and the defense making clutch plays, while Ryland and the Cardinals’ special teams are executing efficiently, watch out for the Bird Gang. Arizona is firmly in the playoff hunt at the midseason point.


Discover more from Pro Football Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

By Zak Gilbert

Since his freshman year at the University of Colorado, Zak Gilbert has worked 30 years in sports, including 18 NFL seasons. He's spent time with four NFL teams, serving as head of communications for both the Raiders and Browns. A veteran of nine Super Bowls, he most recently worked six seasons in the NFL's New York league office.

Leave a Reply