In a thrilling matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, it was Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland who stole the show with a clutch 32-yard field goal on the final play of the game, delivering a 17-15 win for the Cardinals. This marked Ryland’s second game-winning kick of the season, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer.
With this victory, the Cardinals improved their record to 3-4, while the Chargers fell to 3-3, leaving them disappointed and kicking themselves for missed opportunities. The Chargers were unable to score a touchdown, coming close at times but ultimately falling short, as seen with Jalen Reagor losing a fumble into the end zone in the first half.
Cameron Dicker had a standout performance for the Cardinals, kicking field goals of 59, 50, 28, 47, and 40 yards, with the final kick coming with just 1:54 left in the game. Despite the Chargers mounting what seemed like a game-winning drive that began at their own 1-yard line, going 77 yards in 15 plays and eating up 8 minutes and 12 seconds of game time before Dicker’s kick, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The Cardinals defense held strong when it mattered most, getting the ball back at their own 30 with 1:54 left on the clock, giving quarterback Kyler Murray the opportunity to work his magic. Murray led a seven-play, 56-yard drive, aided by a crucial 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Chargers rookie Cam Hart and a 33-yard completion to James Conner, setting up Ryland’s game-winning field goal.
Despite being outgained by the Chargers 395 to 326 in total yards, the Cardinals managed to come out on top when it mattered most. The Chargers had several scoring drives stall in the red zone, including at the Arizona 41, 32, 10, 29, and 22-yard lines, thwarting their chances of securing a victory.
On the individual performance front, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert put up impressive numbers, going 27-of-39 for 349 yards, with Will Dissly leading the receiving corps with eight catches for 81 yards, followed by Joshua Palmer with four receptions for 63 yards. On the other side, Kyler Murray had a solid but not spectacular game, going 14-of-26 for 145 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Murray also showcased his dual-threat abilities, running for a 44-yard touchdown and adding 64 yards on the ground on six carries. Meanwhile, James Conner was a key contributor, rushing for 101 yards on 19 carries and chipping in with two receptions for 51 yards.
In the end, it was a hard-fought victory for the Cardinals, who were able to come out on top in a close and intense battle against the Chargers, showcasing their resilience and ability to deliver in crunch time. The win propels them to a 3-4 record and keeps their playoff hopes alive, while the Chargers will need to regroup and learn from this tough loss as they look to bounce back in the weeks ahead.
