The Arizona Cardinals have been having a great season in 2021, despite interference from player injury and scheduling setbacks. Out of eleven matches the team have played thus far, they’ve only lost two, with their latest win against the Seattle Seahawks score coming in at 23-13.
Although this season’s squad has been plagued with untimely injuries to receiver DeAndre Hopkins’s hamstring and quarterback Kyler Murray’s ankle, the team has managed to pull together. In some cases, they have performed the best games of their careers.
Zach Ertz particularly impressed spectators during the Cardinals’ bout against the Seahawks last Sunday. Ertz scored two touchdowns and had eight catches within 88 yards, with some deeming it his best performance since his trade from Philadelphia back in October.
With a fantastic season running and incredible players to boot, it’s no wonder eager fans are already discussing whether or not the team will make the cut for the 2022 Superbowl in February next year. Although they’ve done amazingly well this season, a look at some betting operators, such as William Hill, show it may not be enough, as their odds indicate that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently have the highest chance of winning the Superbowl. Regardless, the way the Cardinals have been playing lately could soon change this.
With victory continuing to dominate this team’s effort, it’s time to discuss the football standouts of the season so far:
Key Performers of the 2021 Season
James Conner
One of the newest members of the Arizona Cardinals, running back James Conner immediately made an impact when joining the team and has absolutely flourished in his first season. In eleven games he rushed for 12 touchdowns as well as running 555 yards on 146 carries, showing just how determined he is to win.
Averaging just under 10 yards per catch, Conner has made 18 targets and has caught all but two for 173 yards and a touchdown.
Markus Golden
Earlier this year, Markus Golden extended his contract with the Cardinals for at least another two years, proving just how much he loves the team, which is shown through his performances in-game.
In 11 games this season, Golden has had a stellar performance with 10 sacks, 8 tackles for losses and 4 forced fumbles.
Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy replaced the injured starting quarterback Kyler Murray who’s been taking some time off due to a left ankle sprain injury. Despite all odds, the team’s offense has remained strong with McCoy in the lead.
Over his recent two victories, he completed 57 of his 70 passes for 577 yards and 3 touchdowns while rushing 13 times for 41 yards, a commendable feat in football.
Byron Murphy
A solid cornerback for the Cardinals, Byron Murphy has had 8 passes and 10 forced fumbles which earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week during week 3 of the 2021 season.
As the squad continues to overcome each challenge ahead of them, many pundits and fans are questioning whether or not the team has what it takes to reach the Superbowl. However, the ones with the highest expectations are the Cardinals themselves, as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins recently tweeted: “We chasing a ring, anything else isn’t good enough,” proving just how determined they are to win.