THE STORY: On the playoff graphic shown on every NFL telecast this time of year, the "In the hunt" portion is hard to miss.
The Cardinals are working to make sure their logo stays there as long as they can.
Any postseason hopes, no matter how slim, begin with winning. And the Cardinals did that Sunday, forging a workmanlike 30-17 victory over the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium to break a three-game losing streak and remaining in the hunt – a hunt that could get more interesting depending on the Seahawks' Sunday night game against the Packers.
"Honestly dude, I'm not looking forward at all," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "It's got to be that way.
"We took care of business today."
James Conner began the game with a 53-yard run for the Cardinals (7-7) and turned that into a 110-yard rushing day with a pair of touchdowns. Trey McBride was good with his nine catches, and Murray was good enough, completing 23-of-30 passes for 224 yards without a turnover (although he was close to one. More on that later.)
Murray called the offense "efficient" and it would have been more explosive if up-and-coming Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez hadn't broken up what looked like a sure touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr.
The defense had big moments, including a goal-line stands and a Sean Murphy-Bunting interception that was turned into a second-half touchdown drive that essentially sealed the win.
"I told them they earned the right to win today, the way they practiced," coach Jonathan Gannon said.
As it often does, the Cardinals' result could be measured by Conner, who surpassed 100 scrimmage yards for an eighth time, with the team winning six of those games. Third-down back Emari Demercado was put on Injured Reserve Saturday, ending his regular season, and then rookie Trey Benson went down with an ankle injury late in the game.
That would mean DeeJay Dallas and practice squad member Michael Carter would be needed for next week's game in Carolina, depending on Benson's health.
Then again, if they have Conner ripping off 50-yard runs early, that may be enough.
"It's definitely a good start," Conner said. "The game of football is won up front and I felt the line brought it today."
Conner scored both his touchdowns in the fourth quarter, finishing off two near-five-minute drives and gathering nine of his 21 touches. When in trouble, the Cardinals turn to Conner (and McBride).
"He's a horse," Murray said. "It's hard to stop him once he gets going."
The Cardinals overcame an early injury to linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., who suffered a concussion just four plays into the game. The defense made that work, although they did allow the Patriots (3-11) 145 of their 311 total yards on their two fourth-quarter possessions, both of which were scores.
Gannon credited defensive coordinator Nick Rallis for how he "takes the emotion" out of such game-changing injuries to organize the unit on the fly.
"We know we might need some help along the way to get to where we want to go," linebacker Kyzir White said. "As long as we can control us winning, I feel like the chips are going to fall where they're supposed to fall."
A trip to Carolina is next. But the Cardinals will stay hunting as long as they can, and playing like they did Sunday should give them that chance.
"It was a fun day out there today," Conner said.
TURNING POINT: There were four plays near the end of the third quarter that changed the game. First, with a 16-3 lead, the Cardinals defense came up with stuffs of the Patriots running game on both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 at the Arizona 4-yard line, preventing New England from chipping into the lead.
Three plays later, Murray threw an improvised shotput pass while scrambling and it was picked off by Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones at the Arizona 18, which could have been a disaster. But Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings hit Murray in the head after Murray released the pass, earning a roughing-the-passer penalty that negated the Cardinals' lone turnover of the game.
"Thankfully they called a flag," Murray said. "I've got to protect the ball better. Just trying to make a play. Can't do that."
THE STANDOUTS: Linebacker Kyzir White had 12 tackles, including getting in on the key fourth-down stop. Conner was excellent, and McBride again piled up a huge game with nine catches for 87 yards. Wide receiver Greg Dortch overcame his early fumble with three catches for 60 yards, including a big 39-yard gain before halftime to set up a field goal.
LOSING LINEBACKERS: Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., who had been looking forward to playing his former team, was lost for the game on the first possession when he suffered a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet collision. One play later, the Cardinals also lost linebacker Jesse Luketa for the game with a right thigh injury.
