James Conner's well-timed speech and bruising runs help Cardinals regain momentum

Published Oct. 22, 2024 6:46 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — James Conner isn't a guy who says much, so when the Cardinals running back opens his mouth, teammates listen.

His speech on Sunday might have helped save Arizona's season.

“I was just telling them to push all their chips in for this week — that we’re still on a mission," Conner said. “Just tell the guys don’t take anything for granted and just play good football. Push all your chips into this week, give it all you got.”

The Cardinals (3-4) responded, rallying for a 17-15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. Quarterback Kyler Murray ran for a 44-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and led the game-winning drive over the final two minutes, capped by Chad Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired.

Conner was a big part of the win, too. He backed up his speech the night before with one of his best games of the season, running for 101 yards and catching two passes for 51 yards. One of his receptions resulted in a bruising 33-yard gain on the final drive that put the Cardinals into field goal range.

“He’s a safety valve,” Murray said. “Since I’ve been playing with James, I’ve known what type of back he is. Obviously, he’s underrated around the world in the league and how he’s viewed, but I know there’s nothing he can’t do in my eyes.”

Conner is sixth in the NFL with 504 rushing yards. The 29-year-old is coming off his first 1,000-yard season.

At 3-4, the Cardinals are still in relatively good position in the NFC West. They trail division leader Seattle by one game and are tied with San Francisco. Plus, they’re already 2-0 in the division with wins over the 49ers and Rams.

What’s working

The much-maligned Cardinals defense had a gritty performance, giving up 395 total yards but keeping the Chargers out of the end zone. Los Angeles settled for five field goals.

“It means everything,” linebacker Kyzir White said. “I feel like we had a great defensive performance. It still could be a lot better but we played bend-but-don’t-break defense (Sunday night) and came out with the victory, so can’t be mad about that.”

It's fair to wonder how long the injury-plagued group can keep this up. The Cardinals learned on Tuesday that linebacker Dennis Gardeck (knee) is out of the season after getting hurt in the second half against the Chargers. He's fourth prominent defensive player who's done for the year.

For now, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has this group competing, which might be enough to keep the Cardinals in playoff contention.

What needs help

The Cardinals' offense is moving the ball but struggling to score. Arizona is averaging 18.2 points over the past five games, with a 2-3 record over that span.

Considering the Cardinals are so beat up on defense, they need the offense to improve.

Stock up

It was a good day for the Cardinals' specialists, including punter Blake Gillikin and Ryland.

GIllikin had four punts that landed inside the 20-yard line. Coach Jonathan Gannon said that was a major reason Los Angeles didn't score a touchdown.

Ryland — filling in for the injured Matt Prater — has two game-winning field goals in the past three games.

Stock down

Rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. had a quiet game in his return from a concussion. He caught three passes for 21 yards. He also dropped a pass on the final drive of the fourth quarter, but the Cardinals got bailed out after Chargers defensive back Cam Hart was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Injuries

Gardeck (knee) is out for the season with a torn ACL. ... CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) left in the first half and didn't return. Gannon said he's still being evaluated. ... DL Darius Robinson (calf) could make his debut on Sunday after missing the first seven games.

Key number

12 — Murray has now led 12 game-winning drives in his career, four of those in 15 starts over the last two seasons.

Next steps

The Cardinals have a short week to prepare for a cross-country trip. They play at Miami on Sunday.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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