There is only one football, of course, and that means every time David Johnson has it in his hands for the Cardinals, Kenyan Drake does not.
But that doesn't mean the team's running backs are rooting for the other's demise. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Johnson had a nice bounceback game in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Steelers, carrying the ball three times for 19 yards while adding a pair of receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.
After his 24-yard fourth-quarter score, Johnson jumped into the front row of State Farm Stadium, and upon his return to the field, one of the first players to congratulate him was Drake.
"It's all about making plays, no matter how Coach (Kliff Kingsbury) draws them up, whether it's all three of us in the backfield, one of us in the backfield, two of us in whatever capacity," Drake said. "I mean, we all want to go out there and win games. We're all very unselfish players. When someone gets their chance to shine and they make a play, we're happy for them. And vice-versa. We just want to continue to put it all together."
Johnson has taken a back seat in the running back rotation since Drake was acquired from the Dolphins in a midseason trade. Drake was again used more often against Pittsburgh – gaining 67 yards on 14 touches -- but Johnson had a larger role than in previous weeks.
He had the five touches and was on the field often, either as the only back, with Drake in two-back sets, or even in three-back looks with Chase Edmonds also on the field.
Johnson's touchdown – in which Kyler Murray slipped the throw past the outstretched fingertips of Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds – was his first since the Week 6 win over the Falcons.
"It felt good to get involved and get in the end zone, but at the end of the day, we still lost, so it doesn't feel too good after," Johnson said.
Edmonds didn't play on offense last week but did have a small role against the Steelers. He was targeted twice in the passing game, drawing a holding penalty on one leak out but dropping a screen pass later in the game. Edmonds also carried the ball once for nine yards on a fake punt.
The screen pass was one of several plays in which the Cardinals used all three running backs at the same time.
"It makes it tough for defenses to really know what we're doing," Johnson said. "We can run out of it. We can pass out of it. We can do a lot of different things out of it. Hopefully we'll continue to do that."
With the scoring reception through the air, Johnson became the fifth player in NFL history to amass at least 30 rushing touchdowns and 15 receiving touchdowns in the first five seasons of his career.
It is a reminder of Johnson's former dominance, and, if Drake is right, a foreshadowing of more future success.
"Look, he's been there and done that," Drake said. "He knows what he's capable of. He's done a lot of great things in his career and has a ton more to accomplish in his career. I'm happy for him."
Images from the Week 14 matchup against Pittsburgh at State Farm Stadium
Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) knocks the helmet off Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels on the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
QB Kyler Murray before the game
OLB Chandler Jones with a strip-sack
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges (6) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (12) runs after the catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Steelers linebacker Devin Bush pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones battles Steelers offensive tackle Matt Feiler.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree, right, prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals running back David Johnson wears custom cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
DT Rodney Gunter gets a sack
WR Andy Isabella's cleats
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray wears custom cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals linebacker Terrell Suggs defends against the Steelers.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald runs as Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) makes the hit.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin yells during the first half of the game against the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) runs a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is hit by Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches the clock during the first half of the game against the Steelers on Sunday.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones attacks against the Steelers during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson pulls in a touchdown catch as Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy defends.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones puts pressure against the Steelers during the first half.
Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform with fitness expert Shaun-T during the first half of the game against the Steelers on Sunday.
Cardinals running back David Johnson celebrates his touchdown catch against the Steelers during in the fourth quarter.
Steelers punter Jordan Berry is hit by Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (42) on a fake punt attempt during the second half.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones blocks Steelers running back Benny Snell.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws an interception in the end zone to Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt during the second half.
Cardinals running back David Johnson celebrates his touchdown catch against the Steelers with fans.
Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges pumps his fist after a first down completion during the second half against the Cardinals.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk is tackled by Steelers cornerback Joe Haden.
Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson breaks up a pass to Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Steelers cornerback Joe Haden makes a game-ending interception intended for Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates his interception in the end zone against the Cardinals during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald leaves the field after a game-ending interception by the Steelers during the second half.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (left) greets Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after the game. The Steelers won 23-17.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury (right) after the game on Sunday. The Steelers won 23-17.
