Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.
The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.
The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.
The Cleveland Browns entered rarified air on Sunday, becoming the only NFL franchise to go the entire decade without a winning season.
There were plenty of big plays in a game in which the two teams combined for more than 60 points.
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The Arizona Cardinals piled up over 440 yards of offense on Sunday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. They rushed for 226 yards and won 38-24, ending a six-game losing streak.
There were plenty of big plays. Kenyan Drake scored four touchdowns. Tight end Dan Arnold had a highlight touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.
Chandler Jones had a sack.
Patrick Peterson picked off a pass.
Kyler Murray had a big run.
Relive all the big moments and see all the big plays from both teams in the above video.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won. Kyler Murray beat Baker Mayfield handily in first matchup.
Bragging rights were there for the taking, and bragging rights were won.
Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals beat Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns handily, 38-24, snapping a six-game skid.
The former Oklahoma teammates played together in 2017 with Mayfield leading the Sooners to the 2017 College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl game while Murray waited in the wings. Murray followed suit of his predecessor—the 2018 Oklahoma team went to the 2018 College Football Playoff and made an Orange Bowl appearance.
Both won the Heisman Trophy in their respected seasons and went on to become No. 1 overall picks in their NFL Drafts.
In Sunday’s game, Murray and the Cardinals jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Arizona’s signal-caller had an electric 35-yard run on the team’s second scoring drive to help the cause.
Mayfield and the Browns battled back to make it a 14-10 game midway through the second-quarter, but then were outscored 24-7 until the waning moments of the game when Mayfield found a Cleveland receiver for a touchdown.
During the third-quarter of the game, Murray set the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback (501) on a five-yard run up the middle.
Murray had a solid outing on Sunday, going 19-for-25 through the air for 219 yards and a touchdown, but also added 56 yards with his feet. Mayfield went 30-for-43 for 247 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks threw an interception.
Sunday’s matchup between the two college teammates and former No. 1 overall picks was the first such matchup since 1984 (Stanford’s John Elway, Jim Plunkett).
Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray will be the first pair of QB from the same school AND taken #1 overall to face each other in the @NFL since Stanford’s John Elway and Jim Plunkett in Week 5, 1984.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 15, 2019
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They averaged 7.6 yards per attempt on 19 first-half carries.
The Arizona Cardinals have done their best work offensively when they have been able to be balanced and run the ball effectively. In the first half against the Cleveland Browns, they were able to do just that.
They jumped out to a 21-10 halftime lead behind the power of their rushing attack. Against the Browns’ porous run defense that entered the game allowing nearly five yards per attempt, the Cardinals averaged 7.6 in the first half, running the ball 19 times for 145 yards.
Running back Kenyan Drake had 11 carries for 60 yards and scored twice. Quarterback Kyler Murray picked up 53 yards on five rushes and Christian Kirk also had a 28-yard run.
They had 107 rushing yards in the first quarter alone.
The success also opened up the passing game. Murray completed 12-of-15 for 154 yards. He had a touchdown pass and was intercepted once.
Were it not for the interception, the Cardinals might have more points.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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Come back often to get scoring updates.
The Arizona Cardinals now take on the Cleveland Browns in their final home game of this season and this decade. They have lost six in a row and have released Terrell Suggs.
The Browns come to town with Baker Mayfield hoping to earn bragging rights over Kyler Murray and with Steve Wilks hoping to show his defense can stop Murray and Kliff Kingsbury.
We will keep you updated with the scoring and more in this post.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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Among them, is this Larry Fitzgerald’s final home game?
The Arizona Cardinals enter their Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns with several questions. What are the biggest questions?
Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray were teammates at Oklahoma. Both won the Heisman Trophy. Both were No. 1 picks in the draft. They both have had this date on the calendar circled for a while. Mayfield said bragging rights are on the line. Which one will outshine the other, or will both shine in the matchup?
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The starting tight end will not dress because of a coaching decision.
The Arizona Cardinals will catch one break in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns released their list of seven inactive players and it includes tight end David Njoku. Njoku was recently reinstated from injured reserve.
The decision for him not to dress is reportedly a coaching decision.
Here is the full list:
Chris Hubbard will not start at right tackle for Cleveland. He missed some practice time this week with a knee injury but is active. Kendall Lamm will start in his place.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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If Arizona beats Cleveland, the Browns will have to win their final two games and hope the Steelers and Texans lose their final three.
The Arizona Cardinals are not in playoff contention. They were eliminated two weeks ago with their loss to the Los Angeles Rams. They can still figure in the playoff race, though.
Taking on the 6-7 Cleveland Browns, the Cardinals can play spoiler.
Cleveland is still technically in the playoff mix although they do not control their own destiny.
As it is, if the Browns win their final three games, they will need the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans to lose their final three games and have the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans lose at least two of their last games.
If the Cardinals beat the Browns, it doesn’t completely eliminate them from playoff contention, but it gives them only one possible scenario for the six seed.
If the Cardinals win, the Browns would have to win their final two games, while the Steelers and Texans would both have to lose their final three games.
The Cardinals need to win because they have lost six in a row and it is their final game of the season at State Farm Stadium. It would give rookie quarterback Kyler Murray bragging rights over Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, his former college teammate.
But to also play spoiler? That makes a win even a little sweeter. After all, when it comes to not making the playoffs, misery loves company.
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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What stats are key in this week 15 matchup?
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The Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns play each other this afternoon at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals have lost six games in a row, while the Browns have won four of five and remain in the mix for the AFC playoffs.
Browns QB Baker Mayfield has thrown 16 interceptions, one more than his touchdown total, and was picked off twice last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Cardinals are last in the league in passing yards allowed, completion percentage allowed and passer rating allowed. Mayfield could have a bounce-back game.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has struggled in his last two games and the Browns don’t give up a lot of passing yards. They also are 11th in sacks.
However, this could be a game where the running game figures heavily. The Browns are 28th in rush defense and the Cardinals offense works better when they are able to run the ball successfully.
The Browns have the league’s leading rusher in Nick Chubb.
How will this game play out?
In the above video, all three panelists predict a victory for the Browns.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 251:
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Ep. 250:
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