Tag: deandre hopkins catch

‘Hail Murray’ is one of the greatest moments in Cardinals history

In what is being deemed the ‘Hail Murray’, the Arizona Cardinals defeat the Buffalo Bills one a last second prayer to DeAndre Hopkins.

Oh my heavens.

All seemed lost for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Cardinals defense, which played admirably in the second half, gave the offense multiple chances to put the game on ice. Instead, the No. 1 ranked unit sputtered, giving MVP-candidate Josh Allen another chance at redemption. The result was a beautiful touch pass to Stefon Diggs to take the lead 30-26 with roughly 30 seconds left.

It looked as if the Cardinals were going to lose back-to-back heartbreakers to fall 5-4. It was going to mark the second week in a row that they failed to capitalize on a chance to take first place(albeit off tiebreakers) in the NFC West.

Then, Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins did the impossible.

With 11 seconds to go, Murray narrowly escapes trouble and throws a prayer to DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins, with three Pro-Bowl level defensive backs covering him, comes down with the ball to win it for the Cardinals.

Since moving to Arizona, the Cardinals have had some amazing moments. This is undoubtedly one of the best.

From the 2008 playoff run to Larry Fitzgerald’s 2015 overtime winner against the Packers, the 2020 ‘Hail Murray’ rightfully belongs in that conversation. The sheer improbability of a hail mary alone makes this extraordinary, but the amount of defensive talent surrounding Hopkins on the play only adds to that.

The ‘Hail Murray’ has undoubtedly sent MVP discussions in the direction of Kyler Murray, as well as Offensive Player of the Year votes for DeAndre Hopkins.

We won’t know the full impact of this play until the end of the 2020 season, but for now, it grants the Cardinals an opportunity to take a one-game lead over the Seahawks with a win on Thursday.

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Hail Murray! Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins team up to break Buffalo’s heart

The Kyler Murray-to-DeAndre Hopkins combo came up with one of the best game-winners you’ll ever see.

With just 34 seconds left in the Bills-Cardinals game, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen threw an ungodly 21-yard touchdown pass to his best receiver, Stefon Diggs. That put Buffalo up, 30-26, and for all intents and purposes, won them the game.

When we say “for all intents and purposes,” we mean, “for all intents and purposes that don’t include Kyler Murray making a late throw that puts even Josh Allen’s late throw to shame.” So, with two seconds remaining, Murray had to run around and try to make something happen. He moved to the left sideline, threw falling away from his own momentum, put the ball in the vicinity of HIS best receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.

And then, this happened.

Hopkins somehow came up with the ball with three Bills defenders all over him, including TreDavious White, Buffalo’s best cornerback, for the 43-yard touchdown. It’s one of the best plays of the season, and the throw-and-catch combination is something you’ll rarely see.

With the 32-30 win, the Cardinals didn’t just give us all a huge splash play — with the Seahawks losing to the Rams, and Arizona beating Seattle 37-34 in Week 7, Murray’s team now holds first place in the NFC West.

It’s hard to think of a more remarkable way to get there.