Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats

The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats in a high-energy Week 1 matchup of the 2024 NFL season on September 8, 2024, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The game ended with the Bills securing a 34-28 victory, thanks to a strong second-half comeback led by quarterback Josh Allen. This article dives into the player stats, key performances, and critical moments that defined this exciting game, breaking it down in a way that’s easy to understand for fans of all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just tuning in for the first time, we’ve got you covered with a clear and engaging look at the numbers and highlights.

Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves

The Cardinals came out strong, building a 17-3 lead by the end of the first half, largely due to effective drives led by quarterback Kyler Murray and running back James Conner. However, the Bills, powered by Josh Allen’s dual-threat ability, mounted a comeback, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to take the lead. Despite a late surge by Arizona, including a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown by DeeJay Dallas, the Bills held on for the win after a crucial defensive stop on a fourth-down play.

Let’s break down the key player stats from both teams, focusing on passing, rushing, receiving, and defensive contributions, with a simple table for quick reference.

Key Player Stats: Arizona Cardinals

Passing: Kyler Murray’s Precision

Kyler Murray, the Cardinals’ dynamic quarterback, showcased his arm and mobility. He completed 21 of 31 passes (67.7%) for 162 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions, earning a quarterback rating of 91.1. His lone passing touchdown was a 5-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson in the first quarter. Murray also added 57 rushing yards on five carries, including a notable 29-yard scramble that kept drives alive.

Rushing: James Conner Leads the Way

Running back James Conner was the workhorse for Arizona’s ground game, carrying the ball 16 times for 50 yards and scoring a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Rookie Trey Benson chipped in with three carries for 19 yards, showing promise as a complementary back. The Cardinals’ rushing attack totaled 124 yards on 25 attempts, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Receiving: Greg Dortch Shines

Wide receiver Greg Dortch led the Cardinals in receiving, hauling in six catches for 47 yards. Tight end Trey McBride contributed four receptions for 34 yards, while rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., the highly anticipated first-round pick, had a quiet debut with just one catch for 4 yards on three targets. Michael Wilson’s 5-yard touchdown catch was a highlight, though he finished with only one reception.

Defense: Kei’Trel Clark Makes an Impact

On defense, cornerback Kei’Trel Clark recorded a sack, one of the few bright spots for a Cardinals unit that struggled to contain Josh Allen in the second half. Linebacker Dorian Williams forced a fumble, but Arizona’s defense allowed 352 total yards, including 222 passing yards from Allen.

Special Teams: DeeJay Dallas’ Game-Changer

DeeJay Dallas provided a spark with a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown in the fourth quarter, cutting the Bills’ lead to 31-28. This was Arizona’s first kickoff return touchdown since 2015, a massive moment that kept the Cardinals in the game.

Key Player Stats: Buffalo Bills

Passing: Josh Allen’s Masterclass

Josh Allen was the star of the show, earning a 137.7 quarterback rating with 18 completions on 23 attempts (78.3%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns. He threw no interceptions and spread the ball to nine different receivers, embodying the Bills’ “Everybody Eats” mantra. His touchdown passes went to Mack Hollins (11 yards) and Khalil Shakir (11 yards).

Rushing: A Balanced Attack

Allen also led the Bills’ rushing attack with nine carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns, including a dramatic 6-yard scramble where he hurdled Cardinals safety Budda Baker. Running back James Cook was the top rusher with 71 yards on 19 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. The Bills totaled 130 yards on 33 rushing attempts, with contributions from Gabe Davis and Ty Johnson.

Receiving: Keon Coleman Steps Up

Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman led the Bills with four catches for 51 yards, proving to be a reliable target in the absence of departed stars Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir each had two receptions, with both scoring touchdowns. Tight end Dalton Kincaid added one catch for 17 yards, and the Bills’ balanced passing attack kept Arizona’s defense guessing.

Defense: Greg Rousseau’s Turning Point

Defensive end Greg Rousseau was a game-changer, recording a strip-sack on Kyler Murray that led to a Bills touchdown. Linebacker Dorian Williams recovered the fumble, setting up a quick score. Cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram sealed the game by breaking up a fourth-down pass to Greg Dortch, forcing a turnover on downs.

Special Teams: Tyler Bass’ Clutch Kicks

Kicker Tyler Bass was perfect, hitting field goals from 37 and 39 yards, with the latter giving the Bills a 34-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. His consistency was crucial in a tight game.

Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats Comparison Table

Here’s a side-by-side look at the key stats from the Cardinals and Bills, making it easy to see how the teams stacked up:

Sources: ESPN, FOX Sports, USA TODAY

Critical Moments That Shaped the Game

First Half: Cardinals Dominate Early

The Cardinals started strong, marching 70 yards in 13 plays on their opening drive, capped by Kyler Murray’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson. A 29-yard field goal by Matt Prater and a 3-yard touchdown run by James Conner extended Arizona’s lead to 17-3. The Bills answered with a 37-yard field goal by Tyler Bass and a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Josh Allen, narrowing the gap to 17-10 at halftime.

Second Half: Bills’ Comeback

The Bills flipped the script in the third quarter. Josh Allen connected with Mack Hollins for an 11-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17-17. Then, Greg Rousseau’s strip-sack on Murray led to a fumble recovery by Dorian Williams, setting up an 11-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir, giving Buffalo a 24-17 lead. Allen’s 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, where he hurdled Budda Baker, extended the lead to 31-20.

Late Drama: Cardinals Fight Back

Arizona refused to go quietly. DeeJay Dallas’ 96-yard kickoff return touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion by James Conner, cut the deficit to 31-28. With 1:56 left, the Cardinals got the ball back, needing 60 yards for a potential game-winning score. Murray completed passes to Trey McBride and Greg Dortch, but on fourth-and-7 from the Buffalo 29, his pass to Dortch was broken up by Ja’Marcus Ingram, sealing the Bills’ victory.

Standout Performances

Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

Allen’s four-touchdown performance (two passing, two rushing) was the difference-maker. His ability to extend plays with his legs and make precise throws under pressure showcased why he’s one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. His 232 passing yards and 39 rushing yards highlighted his dual-threat nature, earning him praise as the game’s MVP.

Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals)

Murray showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his 57 rushing yards and a 91.1 quarterback rating. While his passing numbers were modest, his ability to escape pressure and keep plays alive gave the Cardinals a chance to compete. His fumble, however, proved costly.

Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills)

Rousseau’s strip-sack was a pivotal moment, shifting momentum to the Bills. His ability to pressure Murray disrupted Arizona’s rhythm and set up a crucial touchdown.

DeeJay Dallas (Arizona Cardinals)

Dallas’ 96-yard kickoff return touchdown was a highlight-reel play that kept Arizona in the game. It was a reminder of the impact special teams can have in tight contests.

What the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats Tell Us

The Bills’ victory came down to their second-half adjustments and Allen’s versatility. Despite Arizona’s strong third-down conversion rate (53.8%), their inability to convert on fourth down and a critical fumble cost them. The Bills’ balanced attack, with nine receivers catching passes and four players contributing to the run game, overwhelmed Arizona’s defense. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ reliance on Conner and Murray’s rushing kept them competitive, but their passing game lacked the explosiveness needed to match Buffalo’s output.

Looking Ahead

For the Cardinals, this game showed promise, especially with Murray’s mobility and Conner’s reliability. However, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s quiet debut suggests the team needs to involve him more to unlock their offense’s full potential. The defense must also find ways to contain mobile quarterbacks like Allen.

For the Bills, Josh Allen’s performance reaffirmed his status as a franchise cornerstone. The emergence of Keon Coleman and contributions from Hollins and Shakir indicate the receiving corps can succeed without Diggs and Davis. The defense, led by Rousseau, will need to maintain its second-half intensity.

Why This Game Matters

This Week 1 clash was a thrilling start to the 2024 season, showcasing the talent and resilience of both teams. For fans, it was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the NFL. The stats tell a story of two teams with dynamic quarterbacks, but the Bills’ ability to capitalize on key moments made the difference.