After Sunday's win over the Bears, a game in which Kyler Murray had a 15-game streak snapped of throwing at least one touchdown pass and threw for only 154 yards on 13-of-20 passing, the quarterback noted the Cardinals got the big win despite the fact he played beneath his standards.
Murray got more nuanced into his own self-analysis when he spoke about it Wednesday.
"It wasn't technically all bad," he said. "I just had a bad taste in my mouth. Why? Because I missed Trey. If I had had hit Trey and had the touchdown I would probably felt way better about the game."
Murray had tight end Trey McBride wide open on a second-and-goal at the Chicago 1 in the second quarter. McBride snuck into the back of the end zone completely uncovered. Bears safety Kevin Byard came in on a delayed rush when it was clear it was a pass, but it was a play Murray usually makes. Instead, he scrambled and then his throw was yards past the end line.
But as for the rest, where he watched his defense dominate and James Conner lead a rushing game that totaled more than 200 yards without including Murray runs? "It's kind of a beautiful thing," Murray said.
"Hand the ball off, play defense and win? Yeah, that's something good football teams can do," he continued. "I don't want to say we're good yet, but we're growing.
"It doesn't make me think anything less of what we can accomplish offensively, or myself. That's what the game called for."
It's rare when Murray doesn't have some Superman tendencies in a game, and even more when he does not in a victory. More often than not, Murray is going to at least Clark Kent a phone booth a few times. Missed TD pass aside, the path to knocking off the Bears was just fine.
"A win is a win," Murray said. "You want to throw the ball around the yard and have the flashy plays, but it's too hard to win in this league. You take it."
