Cardinals 17-15 Chargers (Oct. 21, 2024) Game Recap

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Kyler Murray ran for a 44-yard touchdown, leading the Cardinals on a drive that set up Chad Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Arizona rallied for a 17: 15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.

Cameron Dicker hit his fifth field goal of the night – this one from 40 yards – to give the Chargers a 15-14 lead with 1:54 left. But the Cardinals (3-4) quickly moved into field goal range, helped by an unnecessary roughing call on Cam Hart that cost Los Angeles (3-3) 15 yards.

Arizona followed with a blistering 33-yard run from James Conner that finished with 101 yards on the ground. This eventually led to Ryland's short field goal and a celebration by the Cardinals.

It was a frustrating night for the Chargers' offense, which gained 395 yards but failed to reach the end zone. Justin Herbert completed 27 of 39 passes for 349 yards.

Dicker kicked field goals of 59, 50, 28, 47 and 40 yards, the first of which set a franchise distance record.

Murray ran for a spectacular touchdown Early in the fourth quarter, he rolled to his left before turning on the Jets, beat safety Junior Colston down the sideline and then rolled into the end zone for a 14-9 lead.

It was Murray's second long touchdown run in three weeks after he scored on a 50-yard dash against San Francisco. It was also Murray's 20th career game with a touchdown pass and run.

Murray completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Dicker's 28-yarder late in the third quarter gave the Chargers a 9-7 lead. Los Angeles regained possession after stopping Cardinals backup quarterback Clayton Tune on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. The Cardinals sometimes use Tune in low-yardage situations because he is taller than Murray.

Arizona scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Greg Dortch in the second quarter to take a 7-6 lead into halftime. It was Dortch's first touchdown catch of the season.

Dicker made two field goals for the Chargers in the first half, including the 59-yarder. It was the longest kick of Dicker's career, having previously taken two from 55 yards.

Los Angeles missed two great chances early in the first quarter.

On Arizona's opening drive, Murray's pass was deflected by Khalil Mack and intercepted by Teair Tait. The 304-pound defensive lineman ran downfield but was pulled from behind by Conner before Arizona's Michael Wilson recovered the fumble.

Then, on the Chargers' first drive, Herbert hit Jalen Reagor for a 42-yard gain, but Arizona's Starling Thomas stripped Reagor and the ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback.

Injuries

Chargers: OLB Joey Bosa (hip) and TE Hayden Hurst (groin) were inactive.

Cardinals: CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) left the ball in the first half. LB Dennis Gardeck (knee) left in the third quarter.

Next

Chargers: Host New Orleans on Sunday.

Cardinals: At Miami on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl