Kyler Murray didn't have a particularly noteworthy statistical showing against the Seahawks on Thursday night, but Pro Football Focus thought his play stood out.
The Cardinals' quarterback earned a 76.0 overall grade, which was the best on the team among players with 10 or more snaps. Murray, who was 29-of-42 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns, was given a 74.4 passing grade, his third-highest of the season.
Murray only carried the ball five times for a season-low 15 yards, and his rushing grade reflected that, as it was a mediocre 64.4. Murray currently has the 10th-highest Pro Football Focus grade among quarterbacks with an 82.1 overall grade.
Russell Wilson was given a game-high 89.4 overall grade from PFF. Interestingly, ESPN's Total QBR thought quite differently. Wilson was given a QBR of just 43.4, which was easily outpaced by Murray's 64.2.
Other Pro Football Focus observations from the Week 11 loss:
- Isaiah Simmons looked the part during the game, and Pro Football Focus agreed with that assessment. Simmons earned the highest defensive grade on the team at 72.0. He secured above average marks in run defense, coverage and pass-rush while playing a season-high 45 snaps.
- D.J. Humphries and Justin Pugh had impressive pass-blocking performances, per PFF. Humphries allowed two pressures but no sacks in 49 pass protection snaps. Pugh did not allow a pressure, hurry or sack on his 49 pass-blocking snaps. However, Pugh was whistled for holding and false start penalties, while Humphries had two false starts (although one seemed dubious on replay).
- The Cardinals' thin defensive front did a solid job getting pressure, as Markus Golden, Angelo Blackson, Dennis Gardeck, Michael Dogbe and Simmons all finished with pass-rush grades of 70.0 or above. However, the run defense was an issue, as Blackson, Dogbe, Golden and Trevon Coley were all given grades below 40.0.
- Cornerback Patrick Peterson wasn’t as effective in this game as the first matchup with the Seahawks. According to PFF, he allowed 4-of-6 targets to be completed for 73 yards, including Tyler Lockett's first-half touchdown grab. Peterson was also called for a 46-yard pass interference penalty.
