Current:Home > MarketsCardinals rushing attack shines as Marvin Harrison Jr continues to grow into No. 1 WR -NextGenWealth
Cardinals rushing attack shines as Marvin Harrison Jr continues to grow into No. 1 WR
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:53:06
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Many thought Marvin Harrison Jr. would be the focal point to the Arizona Cardinals’ offense when the team drafted him fourth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. But it’s Arizona rushing attack that has engineered the club to a 5-4 record and atop the NFC West standings.
The Bears brought Chicago-type weather to Arizona. Yet, the run-oriented Cardinals squad didn’t mind as they had a convincing wire-to-wire 29-9 victory over the Chicago Bears. It’s Arizona’s first three-game winning streak since the 2021 season.
“I wouldn't say it's a run that was just round nine,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said after the team’s Week 9 win. “Round 10, (Monday) is the most important day we’ve had all year. That's the way they'll approach it. … That's what's allowing us to win games as we take it one day at a time, every second counts, maximize the day, keep blinders on and go about your business, display winning behavior on a consistent day-to-day basis, and you'll give yourself a chance to win a game.”
Arizona’s rushing attack has been a catalyst to its three-game win streak. The team compiled 213 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against Chicago. Running back James Conner produced 107 rushing yards on 18 carries. His teammate Emari Demercado had a 53-yard touchdown scamper to end the first half that gave Arizona all the momentum entering the third quarter.
“All the running backs stepped up and made good plays, so team effort,” Conner said postgame. “I think it’s the way we come to work. The preparation (and) scheming it up. The offensive line, they come to work. They're moving guys off the ball. … When they are playing like that, all we got to do is put the ball in the right and we can be successful on the ground.”
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Even tight end Trey McBride scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 2-yard jet sweep.
The Cardinals have rushed for at least 120 yards in six games this season. They’ve topped more than 180 rushing yards in four contests. They went into Week 9 with the league’s seventh best rushing attack, averaging 141 yards per game.
The Cardinals’ ground game has helped ease the burden off Harrison during his rookie campaign. Harrison is coming off a Week 8 performance in which he had a career-high six receptions and the second 100-yard receiving performance of his young career. He had two catches for 34 yards versus Chicago. He even lost a fumble on his first reception on Sunday.
It was a case of obligatory rookie growing pains for Harrison, as he didn’t immediately secure the football. But Harrison doesn’t have to be a superstar for Arizona to win games.
“That's part of the game. He's a rookie. We've all fumbled, we've thrown interceptions. We all make physical mistakes,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said of Harrison. “That's gonna happen. He's trying to make a play, not too worried about it.”
Harrison ranked third among rookie receivers in receiving yards and fourth among rookie receivers in receptions entering Week 9. He now has 28 catches, 445 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his first nine games.
Prior to the Sunday’s game, Harrison told reporters he’s getting better acclimated to the NFL game.
“I’m just playing faster. I make decisions faster. I’m kind of reading the defense. I think that’s part of my preparation as well. My film study throughout the week, getting an idea of what the defense likes to do. Allowing myself to go out there and play fast,” Harrison said last week. “I think that’s something I’ve gotten better at each week. … I do my best to go out there and play fast and win my one-on-one matchups.”
Harrison can blossom into his star No. 1 wide receiver role and the Cardinals don’t have to expedite the process or stymy his growth as long as they continue to have a stout running game that’s capable of gashing teams like they did the Bears.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
veryGood! (828)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- Kentucky GOP lawmakers override governor and undo efforts to prevent renter discrimination
- Oversized Clothes That Won’t Make You Look Frumpy or Bulky, According to Reviewers
- Caucus chaos makes Utah last state to report Super Tuesday results
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips ends Democratic primary challenge and endorses President Joe Biden
- Former deputy convicted of violated civil rights, obstruction of justice
- Show stopper: Rare bird sighting prompts Fountains of Bellagio to pause shows Tuesday
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign donor says his Panera Bread restaurants will follow minimum wage law
Ranking
- Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
- Why Dean Phillips' primary challenge against Biden failed
- NY man who killed Kaylin Gillis after wrong turn in driveway sentenced to 25 years to life
- 'The enduring magic of storytime': Ms. Rachel announces new book launching with toy line
- Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
- Garrison Brown's Final Texts That Concerned Mom Janelle Brown Before His Death Revealed by Police
- Save $130 on a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and Elevate Your Cooking Game
- Princess Kate spotted in public for first time since abdominal surgery
Recommendation
IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
After Ohio train derailment, tank cars didn’t need to be blown open to release chemical, NTSB says
Regulator partially reverses ruling that banned FKA twigs Calvin Klein ad in UK
Embattled New York Community Bancorp announces $1B cash infusion
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Former deputy convicted of violated civil rights, obstruction of justice
Senate committee advances bill to create a new commission to review Kentucky’s energy needs
I Shop Fashion for a Living, and These Are the Hidden Gems From ASOS I Predict Will Sell out ASAP