Cardinals’ Trey McBride hits milestones, but helmet deflection leads to loss

Associated Press

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – Trey McBride became the 10th tight end in NFL history to have 100 catches in a season and had one of the best games of his three-year career Saturday night for the Arizona Cardinals.

However, an unfortunate bounce prevented the Cardinals from rallying for a victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night.

The Cardinals had first-and-goal at the 5 in the final minute, but Kyler Murray’s pass deflected off McBride’s helmet in the end zone. Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon made a fingertip grab for the interception and preserved Los Angeles’ 13-9 victory.

Murray compared the loss to a 2021 loss in Green Bay, where the Cardinals drove down the field, but Murray’s pass was picked off in the end zone, allowing the Packers to hold on for a 24–21 victory.

“I can think of a couple of games I played where we drove all the way down and felt confident we were going to win the game,” Murray said. “Like that feeling that we were driving down the field. There’s nothing the defense could do with us. We had a little bit of our will and at the end a (lousy) turnover. That’s what it comes down to. We were unlucky.”

McBride tied a career high with 12 catches, and the 123 receiving yards were his second-highest total. He is the first tight end in franchise history to reach the century mark in receptions.

“He made a lot of plays. I thought he had some great catches and runs,” coach Jonathan Gannon said.

McBride also reached the end zone for the first time this season on a 1-yard reception midway through the third quarter to put the Cardinals up 10-6.

However, Chad Ryland’s extra point was blocked by linebacker Michael Hoecht, forcing the Cardinals to go for a green touchdown instead of a game-tying field goal at the end.

“It was a little leaky in the protection. Hoecht does a good job. We have to be a little better in technique there,” Gannon said.

Murray tried to go to McBride in the end zone on two earlier plays on that drive before they connected. The second ended up being negated by a holding penalty on Hoecht, giving the Cardinals first-and-goal at the 1.

“I think (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) called for that moment. I was happy to get him in the end zone. Wish we had another one,” said Murray, who completed 33 of 48 passes for 321 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

McBride has at least seven catches and 70 yards in five of his last six. He has 104 receptions for 1,081 yards. The record for receptions by a tight end in a season is 116 by Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz in 2018. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce is on target with 1,416 in 2020.

In addition to McBride, Gannon and Murray were buoyed by Marvin Harrison Jr.’s night. The rookie, who was the fourth overall pick in April’s NFL draft, had a season-high six catches for 96 yards.

“In your rookie year, you want to get better every week. The game has to slow down for him,” Murray said, “The reps are invaluable. He’s getting continuity with me and learning the nuances of the game. In the offseason, we can pick up work.”

After going 6-4 and leading the NFC West in the bye week, the Cardinals have lost four of five and are guaranteed their third straight losing season.

“When we play our ball, we can compete and beat anybody, but it doesn’t matter much right now,” Gannon said. “I know we’re close. We’re there, but we’re not there.”

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