Mind games played tricks on Andy Isabella as a rookie. The athletic ability was there, but the confidence was not.
On Sunday, the speedy second-year receiver believed he would be a difference-maker, and then went out and did it.
Isabella had his finest game as a professional against the Lions, catching four passes for 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns in place of the injured Christian Kirk.
"My mind was one of the biggest things holding me back (last season)," Isabella said after the 26-23 loss. "I let a lot of people get in my mind. I worked so hard for this. There's no reason why I shouldn't go out there with an edge. I can play out there."
Isabella was a consistent presence throughout, catching a pair of passes early, including a beautiful 13-yard fade from Kyler Murray for the Cardinals' first touchdown. He scored another from four yards out late in the third to give the team a 23-20 lead.
Isabella now has six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games, the best numbers among any receiver on the team beyond DeAndre Hopkins.
"I told y'all what he's capable of," Murray said. "Glad to see him get his opportunity today."
Hopkins had his typical dominant day for the Cardinals, catching 10 passes for 137 yards. But the postgame focus was on the future Hall of Fame receiver that did not light up the stat sheet.
Larry Fitzgerald was targeted only three times and finished with one catch for zero yards. Coach Kliff Kingsbury was visibly miffed with himself for allowing that to happen.
"He's the heart and soul of this team," Kingsbury said. "When he's getting the football, good things happen. That's completely on me."
Fitzgerald is 37 years old, by far the oldest receiver in the NFL, but Kingsbury said his lack of involvement had nothing to do with a declining skillset.
"He had one of the best camps of anybody on the team," Kingsbury said. "He played great in the first two games, was getting open. I just did a poor job of getting him the ball."
Murray said he wasn't sure why Fitzgerald was targeted less than Hopkins, Isabella and KeeSean Johnson.
"Just kind of flow of the game type of deal," Murray said. "I hope to get him more balls next week."
PETERS PICKS UP ANOTHER SACK
Defensive tackle Corey Peters is known for his ability to stop the run, but he's done a nice job rushing the passer this season. He had a sack of Matthew Stafford on Sunday, increasing his total to two in the first three games.
Peters hasn't had more than three sacks in a season since 2013. He was also in the mix on an early sack that was given to Devon Kennard. Peters credited the scheming of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for some of his early-season success.
"I think we do a good job of disguising where we're trying to attack," Peters said.
BANJO LEAVES GAME WITH HAMSTRING INJURY
Safety Chris Banjo, who was already thrust into the starting lineup because Jalen Thompson is on injured reserve, left the game early on with a hamstring injury and didn't return.
That left the Cardinals with fourth- and fifth-string options Deionte Thompson and Curtis Riley to pair with Pro Bowler Budda Baker. Thompson had three tackles and Riley one, but Marvin Jones got away from Riley on a late catch to set up the game-winning field goal.
The safety depth will be tested even more as Kingsbury said safety Budda Baker will be having a surgery on his thumb "very soon." It is expected to keep him out for at least one game.
Images from the Week 3 matchup against Detroit
QB Kyler Murray congratulates WR Andy Isabella after they connected on a touchdown.
WR Andy Isabella catches a touchdown pass.
QB Kyler Murray runs for a 1-yard touchdown.
QB Kyler Murray runs for a 1-yard score.
DT Jordan Phillips celebrates his sack.
WR Andy Isabella corrals his touchdown reception.
QB Kyler Murray drops back to pass.
WR DeAndre Hopkins hauls in a pass.
A limited number of Arizona Cardinals fans sit in the stands prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
WR Larry Fitzgerald before the snap.
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks for an opening as Arizona Cardinals free safety Chris Banjo (31) defends.
WR DeAndre Hopkins hauls in a 30-yard catch.
LB De'Vondre Campbell
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) during the first half.
The Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals compete during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray lunges for the end zone for a touchdown as Detroit Lions strong safety Duron Harmon (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) andcornerback Jeff Okudah during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is stopped by Detroit Lions nose tackle Danny Shelton (71).
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) runs in for a touchdown after the catch.
The Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions compete during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jordan Phillips celebrates his sack against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella pulls in a touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Darryl Roberts (29) defends during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is hit during the first half on Sunday.
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is hit by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Christian Jones during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Lions.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (98).
Arizona Cardinals wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (10) and Andy Isabella (17) in action against Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) and Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick celebrates his sack against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) eludes the grasp of Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Jones (41).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Angelo Blackson (96) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids a hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as center Lamont Gaillard (53) blocks against Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals center Lamont Gaillard and middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) in action against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, escapes the reach of Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) runs against the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) tries to elude the reach of Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) runs as Detroit Lions inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (59) defends.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws over Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) during the second half.
Andy Isabella dives for the touchdown
Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown
Kyler Murray drops back to pass against the Lions
Kyler Murray dives for extra yardage
The Cardinals surround Lions RB Kerryon Johnson
Kyler Murray scrambles against the Lions
Chase Edmonds runs the ball against the Lions
