The Arizona Cardinals had a scare in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Matt Prater converted a 27-yard field goal to give Arizona the lead, 34-33, with four and a half minutes remaining in the game.
However, Greg Joseph had an opportunity to give Minnesota the win with four seconds left.
Unfortunately, his kick sailed wide right, and the Cardinals maintained their undefeated record.
Cousins intentionally fumbles to allow Greg Joseph to drill a FG and get some confidence back.
ELITE leadership. pic.twitter.com/NJJI6QX6HM
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) September 26, 2021
In that game, Kyler Murray strengthened his MVP credentials by throwing for 400 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown.
That stat line made him only the third quarterback since 1950 to achieve such a feat.
He’s in great company because the other two are Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Rondale Moore also had a solid game against the Vikings with seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Maxx Williams also caught seven balls for 94 yards.
Kyler Murray has two touchdowns that look a lot like this today. AZ has 21 before the half and leads Minnesota by a point (missed extra point). pic.twitter.com/Bm12xKVPsf
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 19, 2021
While that clash proved Arizona’s resiliency during close games, it’s hard to ignore that the teams they defeated from Weeks 1 to 3 had a combined record of three wins and nine losses.
Therefore, they had stiff opposition until Week 4 against division rival Los Angeles Rams.
The winner will get the top spot in the highly competitive NFC West.
More importantly, the victor will continue their undefeated run to start the 2021 NFL season.
The Rams are a serious threat because they have All-Pro-caliber players on both offense and defense.
Matthew Stafford joined the team via trade and has been racking up yards with Cooper Kupp.
Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp pic.twitter.com/e7gUOEHODJ
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) September 26, 2021
The Rams offensive line with Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein is one of the NFL’s best.
They also have an elite defensive unit with three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
Leonard Floyd and Jalen Ramsey can also punish opponents for their mistakes.
Cardinals Made It Look Easy
The game remained close by the early second quarter as the Cardinals took a 14-10 lead via a 14-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Williams.
But from that moment, the Cardinals initiated a 23-3 run to put the game out of the Rams’ reach.
During that stretch, James Conner had two touchdown runs from the one-yard line and three field goals by Prater from the 23, 55, and 23 yard-line.
Meanwhile, all Los Angeles can muster on offense was a field goal from Matt Gay and a touchdown pass from Stafford to Robert Woods late in the fourth quarter.
James Conner has another. #RedSea
📺: #AZvsLAR on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9RzYJhgio1— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
The Cardinals defense limited Stafford to 280 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception fielded by Byron Murphy.
Budda Baker recovered a fumble by Sony Michel.
Kupp also had his worst performance so far, with five catches for 64 yards.
On the other hand, Chase Edmonds had a big game for Arizona with 12 carries for 120 yards.
Murray finished with 268 yards and zero interceptions.
Without question, the Cardinals offense is running like a well-oiled machine.
.@K1 airs it out to @ajgreen_18 for a 41-yard @AZCardinals touchdown! #RedSea
📺: #AZvsLAR on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/E1mepMvDtp— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
They have at least 30 points and 400 total yards in each of their first four games in 2021.
Arizona also gained more than 200 rushing yards for the sixth time during the Kliff Kingsbury era.
The Cardinals are fourth in passing (304) and sixth in rushing (136.5) per game.
Those numbers make them the best scoring offense at 35 points per contest.
"We can play with the best in this league."
🗣 @ChaseEdmonds22 pic.twitter.com/8DLxSVn8G9
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 4, 2021
Therefore, the San Francisco 49ers must prepare in Week 5 because the Cardinals are for real.
It’s not just that they’re winning, but they’re doing it effortlessly.
NEXT: Kyler Murray Looking Like An MVP-Level Talent