The young quarterback and young coach learned quickly that leaning on the old man in Arizona pays off.
Veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald ignited the offense with several big catches down the stretch as the Cardinals salvaged a 27-27 tie against the Lions in the regular season opener on Sunday at State Farm Stadium. The passing game started with some hiccups during the debut of rookie signal-caller Kyler Murray and first-time NFL coach Kliff Kingsbury, but Fitzgerald helped straighten it out.
The 36-year-old finished with eight reception for 113 yards and caught the game-tying 4-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds remaining in regulation. Fitzgerald has been the oldest wideout in the NFL for multiple years now but continues to stiff-arm Father Time.
"His bones don't get old," wide receiver Trent Sherfield said. "He's drinking some special milk. I need some of that special milk when I get to be his age."
Fitzgerald led the Cardinals in receiving a season ago, but his yards per catch of 10.6 was one of the lowest marks of his career. He was sent deeper downfield by Kingsbury in the opener and came up with some critical receptions.
He had a 41-yard grab that led to a Zane Gonzalez field goal early in the fourth quarter, and added an incredible 45-yard diving catch in overtime.
"I still feel like 50-50 balls, I can still make my fair share of plays on those," Fitzgerald said. "If given the opportunity, I'm going to make some plays. I pride myself on that."
The Lions had pretty good coverage on most of the passes but it didn't matter.
"He's a Hall of Famer for a reason," Lions defensive back Tracy Walker said. "He made a lot of great catches. I was in good position, but he just made a better catch. I can't really do nothing about that."
Like the rest of the offense, Fitzgerald started slowly, catching only two balls for nine yards through three quarters. But his long reception in the fourth seemed to ignite the crowd, and Fitzgerald didn't slow down from there.
"He just made play after play after play," Kingsbury said.
A fellow 36-year-old smiled in the Cardinals' locker room after the game while discussing Fitzgerald's day.
"I'm glad he's on my team and I don't have to play him anymore," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said.
Murray showed some good chemistry down the stretch with running back David Johnson and wide receivers Christian Kirk, Damiere Byrd and KeeSean Johnson, but he knows now what so many quarterbacks have learned through the years: when in doubt, throw it to Fitzgerald.
"The man's still got it," Murray said.
Images from the first game of the year on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium
OLB Chandler Jones forces a fumble
WR Trent Sherfield celebrates a tackle on special teams.
OLB Chandler Jones celebrates his fumble recovery.
Bret Michaels (left) with Michael Bidwill before the game.
Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is sacked by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) as offensive guard J.R. Sweezy (64) flies over during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Big Red arrives before the game.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws as Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd is tackled by Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass again the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
OLB Chandler Jones celebrates his fumble recovery
QB Kyler Murray throws a pass.
RB David Johnson runs with the ball.
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles against the Detroit Lions during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) takes a hit by Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back David Johnson during the first half.
Kyler Murray stands on the sidelines during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Detroit Lions defensive end Mike Daniels (96).
Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield, left, during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with his players during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (19) runs against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald watches from the sidelines.
Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions outside linebacker Christian Jones looks on.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) pulls in a touchdown pass as Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) defends during the second half.
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Chris Jones (25) defends.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch against the Detroit Lions during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) makes a catch as Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin defends.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Detroit Lions defensive end Mike Daniels (96).
Arizona Cardinals fans cheer on Larry Fitzgerald during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) scores a two point conversion to tie the game as Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) defends.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald scores a touchdown in the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) celebrate his two point conversion catch with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) late in the fourth quarter.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) tries to elude Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman (27) after the catch.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) shows as Arizona Cardinals free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) pursues during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to elude Detroit Lions defensive end Mike Daniels (96) during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11), tight end Charles Clay (85) and wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) celebrate Kirk's two point conversion against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray reacts with wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) after a near interception by the Cardinals during the final seconds of overtime against the Lions.
The Arizona Cardinals bench reacts to a dropped interception during overtime. The Lions and Cardinals played to a 27-27 tie in overtime.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches the final seconds of the game Sunday against the Lions.
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, left, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions and Cardinals played to a 27-27 tie on overtime.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, right, greets Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions and Cardinals played to a 27-27 tie on overtime.
