Across all three phases, the Cardinals had multiple jaw-dropping moments featuring top plays that'll be replayed for years to come. Over the course of the next few days, let's recap the team's top offensive, defensive, and special teams plays of the season.
Here are the Cardinals 2024 Top 10 special teams plays of the year.
1. DeeJay Dallas House Call Kicks Off Season
The situation: The Cardinals trailed by 11 in the fourth quarter against the Bills.
The play: Tyler Bass kicked one in the landing zone to DeeJay Dallas. Dallas, in his first game as a Cardinal, shed a few Bills trying to bring him down and took it to the end zone for the 96-yard touchdown.
The aftermath: While the Cardinals couldn't finish the comeback, Dallas' touchdown was historic. He became the first player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in the new dynamic format. Only six other players scored kickoff return touchdowns this season.
2. Chad Ryland Sends Cards To OT
The situation: A few ticks remained on the clock as Chad Ryland was set to attempt a career-long kick and the Cardinals trailing by three in a game they needed to win to stay in playoff contention.
The play: Ryland nailed a 58-yard field goal to send the Cardinals to overtime against the Panthers. Ryland's previous career-long was from 57.
The aftermath: It was another clutch moment from Ryland throughout the 2024 campaign. Unfortunately, the Cardinals weren't victorious in OT.
3. Dallas Fakes It And Takes It For The First
The situation: Late in the first quarter of the season finale against the 49ers, the Cardinals brought out Michael Palardy and the punt team.
The play: But it was a fake! On fourth-and-5, DeeJay Dallas took the direct snap and rushed for a 22-yard gain. Elijah Higgins had a key block that created a gap. The 22-yard run was the second longest rush of Dallas' career.
The aftermath: Chad Ryland's field goal to end the drive tied the game at 3.
4. Greg Dortch Celebrates In Miami
The situation: Blake Gillikin came out to punt on fourth-and-7 with less than four minutes left in the second quarter and the Cardinals trailing, 10-7.
The play: The Dolphins returner tried to decoy the Cardinals like he would catch the ball, only for it to bounce a few yards behind him. Greg Dortch, who parked himself right at goalline, batted the ball directly into the arms of Aaron Brewer at the Miami 5.
The aftermath: Miami still drove for a field goal, but the Cardinals eventually won the game on a last-play field goal.
5. Ryland Kicks Impressive 57-Yarder
The situation: Trailing 13-7 to start the second half in Miami, the Cardinals barely get into field-goal range after facing a second-and-30.
The play: Chad Ryland's 57-yard kick is good to bring the Cardinals within 3 against the Dolphins. At the time, the kick was Ryland's career-long.
The aftermath: It wasn't even the most important kick of the day for Ryland, who later nailed a game-winner at the final gun.
6. Joey Blount Tip Toes To Down Bears
The situation: Leading 27-9 over the Bears, the Cardinals bring out their punt team on fourth-and-6 at the Chicago 46.
The play: Joey Blount looked like he was playing in an MLB outfield, tracking down Gillikin's punt. What was most impressive was how Blount toed the goal-line and managed to pin the Bears at the 1-yard line.
The aftermath: After the play, Blount jumped into the stands to celebrate with the Bird Gang. Two plays later, the Bears committed a penalty in the end zone for a Cardinals' safety.
7. Chad Ryland Goes Back-To-Back On Game-Winners
The situation: Trailing 27-25 with 5:01 left and on their own 11, Kyler Murray led the Cardinals down the field methodically driving to the Miami 16 with one second left.
The play: Chad Ryland came on to drill the 34-yard game-winning field goal. It was the second game-winning kick by Ryland in as many weeks.
The aftermath: The kick capped off an incredible month for Ryland with three game-winning kicks. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.
8. Monday Night Mayhem For Ryland
The situation: Down 15-14 with 1:54 left in the game, the Cardinals started their final possession at their own 30. Kyler Murray helped march the Cardinals to the Chargers 14, aided by a 33-yard catch-and-run by James Conner.
The play: Chad Ryland's kick was clean from 32 yards to beat L.A. on "Monday Night Football." The moment wasn't too big for the second-year kicker on the Cardinals' return to prime time for the first time since 2022.
The aftermath: The Cardinals kicker finished the month of October with three game-winning field goals.
9. Joey Blount In Prime Position On Prime Time
The situation: Nursing a two-point lead, the Cardinals have a fourth-and-10 punt from the Chargers 45 in the fourth quarter.
The play: Blake Gillikin's punt sailed down the field and the nose of the football bounced at the 6-yard line. Joey Blount fielded the bounce perfectly and downed the football at the 1.
The aftermath: Justin Herbert was forced to start deep in their own territory, although he did drive down for a field goal. But Chad Ryland and the Cardinals ultimately made their own field goal at the end of the game to win.
10. Matt Prater Doing Matt Prater Things
The situation: In Week 2 against the Rams, the Cardinals already had a 31-3 lead in the third quarter before facing a fourth-and-5 at the Los Angeles 39.
The play: Veteran Matt Prater came in for a field goal -- a long one for which he has become known for. The 57-yarder by Prater was easily made, and was his second field goal of the day.
The aftermath: It was common for Prater to make those long field goals seem like chip shots, but a left knee injury two weeks later put Prater on the shelf for the remainder of the season.
