In the first two games of the season, Kyler Murray has juked his way to stardom, proving to be one of the NFL's most headache-inducing matchups.
While the second-year quarterback's rushing ability gives the Cardinals' offense a high floor, the group hasn't yet neared its ceiling.
The Cardinals are No. 22 in Football Outsiders’ offensive efficiency rankings and No. 19 in yards per play through two weeks, as it has been the defensive side of the ball that has sparked the 2-0 start.
"We left a lot out there," Murray said of the offensive performance against Washington. "I think that was pretty evident to see. It's frustrating at times, but at the same time you have to understand this is Week 2. We're not where we hope to be at the end of this thing. We got the win, and that's really all that matters, but yes, I feel like we could definitely be better."
After Sunday's spectacular showing with his legs, Murray leads the NFL with 7.5 yards per carry, and Kliff Kingsbury believes he can continue to be hyper-efficient as the year moves along. But the Cardinals' coach said Monday that the offense must drastically reduce negative plays in order to fire on all cylinders.
"Both of those were called quarterback runs, the touchdown runs, so that's part of his game," Kingsbury said. "It's part of what makes him great, and the MVP last year (Lamar Jackson) had a ton of quarterback runs and he did alright. So I don't think that's not sustainable.
"What's not sustainable is continuing to win games when you have that many penalties and when you shoot yourself in the foot over and over to stop drives. That's what will hold us back."
The Cardinals finished No. 13 in offensive efficiency last season, and with marquee offseason addition DeAndre Hopkins already playing a starring role, the upside for the group is large.
Beyond the penalties – 15 for 133 yards on offense in the two games -- the Cardinals have a couple areas that will likely improve.
Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds both averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry last season but sit at a combined 3.9 yards per tote in 2020. In the passing game, Murray is only averaging 6.6 yards per attempt, a lower figure than his rookie season.
Even though the running backs weren't difference-makers early against Washington, Drake did finish the game strong and helped seal the win by churning out first downs.
"Obviously we'd like to have some bigger runs in the run game early, but it's worked out the last couple of weeks that he's had the ball in his hands late and done a great job of putting those games away," Kingsbury said.
While the overall passing numbers weren't great, Murray showed off his arm talent against Washington. Andy Isabella caught a 54-yard bomb and Christian Kirk hauled in a 49-yarder in the first half.
"I'm not sure how essential (the deep ball is to the offense), but when it's there, we definitely want to take advantage of it," Kingsbury said. "Those were two huge completions in the game. Kyler really throws one of the better deep balls I've been around – touch, anticipation, things like that. Both guys did a great job separating and finishing those plays."
The Cardinals have shown spurts of offensive explosiveness this season, but prolonged success has been missing. Some of that has to do with the quality of competition faced, as Washington and San Francisco have two of the more talented defenses in the NFL.
The Cardinals navigated through those games 2-0, and if the offense takes a step forward, more victories will be on the horizon.
"Our players understand that we have to take what we're seeing on the practice field and practicing on the practice field and transition it to games," Kingsbury said. "Just execute at a higher level. Hopefully that happens soon."
Images from the Week 2 contest at State Farm Stadium
WR DeAndre Hopkins celebrates his first-quarter touchdown reception.
LS Aaron Brewer recovers a fumble.
OLB Chandler Jones (55) recovers a fumble by Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) during the first half.
WR DeAndre Hopkins runs upfield with the ball.
QB Kyler Murray runs with the football in the first half.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
QB Kyler Murray rushes for a touchdown.
OLB Chandler Jones celebrates a fumble recovery.
DeAndre Hopkins scores a touchdown on the team's opening drive
RB Kenyan Drake
WR DeAndre Hopkins
WR Larry Fitzgerald
Washington QB Dwayne Haskins (7) fumbles the ball after being hit by Cardinals DT Jordan Phillips.
Christian Kirk makes a tough catch against Washington
Kyler Murray
Andy Isabella makes a 54-yard catch
Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown on a quarterback draw
Devon Kennard celebrates a stop
Kyler Murray scores a touchdown
Budda Baker celebrates a big stop to force a fourth down for Washington
Kyler Murray celebrates a touchdown
Washington Football Team Steven Sims (15) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals Trent Sherfield (16) on a kick off return during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as offensive guard J.R. Sweezy (64) blocks Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (94) pursues.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is tackled by Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) during the first half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Washington Football Team inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53).
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) can't escape the grasp of Washington Football Team linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis.
Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) gets the pass away as Washington Football Team defensive end Montez Sweat (90) pursues during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury makes a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Washington Football Team wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden (10) is hit by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell and safety Chris Banjo (31).
Washington Football Team cornerback Fabian Moreau (25) grabs Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the second half of an NFL football game as Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) defends.
Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims (15) is hit by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the first half.
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Washington Football Team cornerback Fabian Moreau (25) and free safety Troy Apke (30) during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Washington Football Team cornerback Jimmy Moreland (20).
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs for a touchdown as Washington Football Team free safety Troy Apke (30) misses the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera talks with his players during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his touchdown with teammate running back Kenyan Drake (41).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs for a touchdown as Washington Football Team inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53) pursues during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) pulls in a pass as Washington Football Team free safety Troy Apke (30) defends.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a catch as Washington Football Team linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (54) defends during the second half.
The Washington Football Team and the Arizona Cardinals compete during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Washington Football Team inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53) looks on during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) walks with back judge Terrence Miles (111) prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) and Washington Football Team offensive tackle Geron Christian (74) battle during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Football Team with running back Kenyan Drake (41).
Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) runs for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) defends.
Kyler Murray celebrates a touchdown with teammates
Kyler Murray evades the Washington defense
Kyler Murray celebrates a touchdown run with his center Lamont Gaillard
Kyler Murray in a postgame interview after the win against Washington
