The (4-12) Arizona Cardinals upset the (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles, 35-31. The score can be deceiving as it looks like a new school shootout but the Cardinals won with an old school approach.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Cardinals came in with a strategy to run the ball and control the clock. “Controlling the clock” is not a term you hear often in the analysis of today’s NFL.
It has become antiquated because of the success of the pass game and how fast teams can score the football but it shouldn’t be pushed to the side.
The Cardinals Ran Faster Than The Eagles Could Fly
The Cardinals were able to run the football up and down the field against the Eagles. Their ability to control the game on the ground is what led them to the upset. Arizona won the time of possession battle 39:39 to 20:21.
Arizona ran for 221 yards compared to 91 rushing yards for Philadelphia. Michael Carter had seven carries for 61 yards.
OH MY, Michael Carter 😳
📺: #AZvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/sw7PfpPJEd— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
James Conner had 26 carries for 126 yards and the game winning touchdown.
UNBELIEVABLE. pic.twitter.com/0mNI03Myf1
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 31, 2023
The threat of the run game also helps the pass. Kyler Murray went 25/31 for 232 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Key To Success for Arizona
This could be the approach that brings success for the Cardinals going forward into next season. It has proven to be successful this season.
In the Cardinals first win of the year over the Dallas Cowboys. Arizona out gained Dallas 222 to 185 yards on the ground. In their third win of the season, the Cardinals ran for 150 yards compared to 130 for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cardinals have run for more yards than their opponent in three of their four wins. Arizona should look to build their offense around the run for next season. That will make the game easier for Murray and all of the pass catchers.
It will be very interesting to see if the Cardinals build their team to be a time of possession dominator that goes against the grain of the league.
