The Arizona Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Chargers with a game-winning field goal as time expired, and a controversial and unnecessary roughness penalty contributed to a 17-15 victory.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made his fifth field goal of the night in Glendale, Arizona, giving his team a 15-14 lead with less than two minutes remaining. But it was enough time for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense to get down on the field and at least attempt a field goal of their own to move to 3-4 on the year.
That's exactly what happened when Chad Ryland beat the uprights on a 32-yard attempt to push the Chargers to 3-3 a year after their bye week.
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) jumps out of the backfield during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. (Imagination)
However, a pass from Murray to rookie first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. fell incomplete, and two Chargers defenders hit Murray as Murray dropped the ball, allowing him to score 2nd base from Arizona's own 30-yard line. At 10th base, the umpire made an important call. .
However, a yellow flag was displayed on the field after the play and Cam Hart was cited for unnecessary disorderly conduct after an incident in which officials appeared to headbutt an unsuspecting receiver on Harrison. This is something the league is cracking down on and calls have been made accordingly.
This was a huge momentum change as the Cardinals were near center field instead of facing 3rd and 10 in their own territory.
Chargers' Jim Harbaugh says he underwent medical treatment and was told by a cardiologist that he has an 'athlete's heart'
When playing the video, it appeared that Hart's helmet was in contact with Harrison's, but there was no clear helmet-to-helmet contact in real time. Hart, who is well aware that lead-off hits with a helmet on is not allowed in the league, seems to be depressed.
However, NFL fans on social media were furious about the call.
“Since when did the NFL get so soft! This is the softest, unnecessary roughness call I've ever seen!” one X user wrote.
Another added: “The Chargers were on the wrong side but oh well is this what unnecessary roughness is all about now?”
Either way, the Cardinals took advantage of their new field position, with running back James Conner catching a pass from Murray and taking it 33 yards to the Los Angeles 22-yard line on the next play, sending his team toward a field goal. Arranged perfectly. .
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, 10, gives Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., 2, a tough punch during the second half at State Farm Stadium. (Joe Campoare-Imagen Images)
The Cardinals bide their time until Ryland's moment came to seal the victory.
This call will be talked about on Tuesday morning, but the Chargers made other mistakes in the game, including getting out the gate right after getting an interception by Conner on their first drive. In the end, Arizona got away with just punting the ball.
Then, on the Chargers' first offense of the game, Justin Herbert found Jalen Reagor's 41-yard strike along the left sideline for what appeared to be a touchdown, but he fumbled the ball and the Cardinals lost the ball. Recovered. It was a touchback in the end zone.
Despite Herbert throwing for a season-high 349 yards, the Chargers were unable to reach the end zone as Dicker was needed more than head coach Jim Harbaugh had hoped.
Meanwhile, Murray scored Greg Dortch's first touchdown of the game in the second quarter, giving the Cardinals a 7-6 lead by halftime. Then, in the fourth quarter, Murray had a 44-yard rushing score to make the game 14-9.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Revilas-Imagen Images)
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Murray gained 64 yards on the ground and 145 through the air, while Conner gave Arizona 101 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving on just two catches. Tight end Trey McBride also had five catches for 51 yards receiving.
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