The Arizona Cardinals started their season with a positive burst but ultimately fell short, losing 34-28 to the Buffalo Bills. After scoring 10 consecutive points and entering halftime with a 17-10 lead, the Cardinals struggled to maintain momentum against a Bills team led by quarterback Josh Allen, who responded with three second-half touchdowns and a field goal to secure the victory.
Arizona Sports analysts provided their insights on the game:
John Gambadoro, co-host of Burns & Gambo, noted the familiar pattern for the Cardinals—despite a promising first half, they lost yet another close game, starting the year 0-1 after finishing 2-5 in similar situations last season. He emphasized that the offense, which was expected to lead the team, faltered after the initial success, and the defense allowed Buffalo to erase the Cardinals’ two-touchdown advantage.
Gambadoro critiqued Kyler Murray’s performance, pointing out that the Cardinals only managed three points in the second half. With only 80 yards in the second half and Murray passing for just 31 yards after halftime, he highlighted the quarterback’s inability to step up when needed, stating that the offseason work did not translate into results on the field.
Dave Burns, co-host of Burns & Gambo, expressed a shift in expectations compared to the previous year. He indicated that losing a close game against a top quarterback in a challenging environment was no longer viewed as a positive outcome. He noted the mixed feelings about the game, pointing out that while there were moments to appreciate, the overall result was disappointing. He underscored that for the team to succeed, the offense must excel to compensate for a defense that lacks standout players.
According to Tyler Drake, the Cardinals had a strong start by effectively attacking the Bills’ revamped defense, with contributions from James Conner and Murray, resulting in their initial lead. However, the team could not sustain that performance in the following quarters, as Buffalo adjusted and Murray struggled behind an overmatched offensive line. He highlighted the need for better utilization of rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., who was limited to just three targets.
Kevin Zimmerman, lead editor at ArizonaSports.com, reflected on the game as indicative of the Cardinals’ average status amidst concerns about their overall talent. He noted the stark contrast in Murray’s performance, with a significant decline from the first half to the second, and raised questions about the effectiveness of the team’s skill players and offensive line.
Kellan Olson, co-host of Arizona Sports at Night, focused on concerns regarding the Cardinals’ offense, which relied too heavily on short runs and passes, particularly from Conner, who struggled to make significant gains. He highlighted the need for the offense to create big plays and improve their game strategy to avoid losing more matchups in the future.