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Trey McBride finally familiar with end zone in Cardinals’ season-closer

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It only took 17 weeks, but Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride’s receptions are finally landing in the end zone.

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With less than two minutes to play in the Cardinals’ matchup with the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray hit McBride in the back of the end zone for a touchdown to give Arizona a 17-10 lead.

McBride, the Cardinals’ top receiver this season, hadn’t reached the end zone until last week’s 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, despite catching more than 100 passes and accumulating over 1,000 yards this season. It’s a little too late, but Murray has finally figured out how to reach his No. 1 target in the end zone.

The score was a quick response to San Francisco interim starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ one-yard run that tied the score at 10-10. Murray went to his primary pass catcher on three plays of the eight-play, 70-yard drive. On the third play of their push downfield, Murray hit McBride for his longest pass of the game for a 28-yard gain. He would go right back to his favorite receiver on the next play, and the tight end would take it from there.

The 2025 Pro Bowl selection showed why he will be playing in this year’s games, turning a quick dump pass into a 12-yard first down in aggressive fashion. In a failed attempt to hurdle 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown, McBride did his best Leonidas impression from the movie 300 — or an ode to former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown’s infamous punt return — and drove his knee through the face mask of the defender, kept his balance and trotted for extra yards. Murray would reward his efforts four plays later with a score.

Not exactly a charitable act from the Arizona’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The touchdown was Murray’s second of the game. In mirroring fashion of the first, Dobbs responded back quickly.

The 49ers’ QB led a 10-play drive 70 yards downfield on the ensuing drive, finding Arizona native and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for a six-yard score to tie the game.

San Francisco only left 16 seconds on the clock, but it was just enough. Murray utilized three plays to setup kicker Chad Ryland for a 49-yard field goal that he drilled to give the Cardinals a 20-17 lead heading into the second half.

Neither team is playing for a spot in the playoffs, but both are playing to to finish the season with a win.

Kyler Murray capitalizes on turnover with Cardinals’ first touchdown

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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live

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