Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray was the best player on the planet Sunday

There was a moment in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Jets when it looked like things weren’t going to work out for Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Jets linebacker Quincy Williams was removed from Murray’s blindside and he crushed Murray with a hit that sent his helmet flying. Murray also lost the ball but fell on top of it to ensure the Jets wouldn’t take possession and then smiled before continuing his selection of the AFC East team.

Murray hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a touchdown a few plays later and finished the 31-6 victory with 17 straight completions to set a franchise record. He also ran for two touchdowns and became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 85 percent of his passes for at least 250 yards while also running for two touchdowns. It was the kind of performance that made it easy for head coach Jonathan Gannon to engage in hyperbole.

“I think you saw the stat line,” Gannon said via the team’s website. “The quarterback was best player on the planet today.”

The Cardinals have gone two weeks without allowing a touchdown while the offense is humming well enough to have them in possession of first place in the NFC West heading into their bye week. It’s a good place to be at the midway point of the season, and the team’s continued progress gives reason to believe even better things can happen in their final seven games of the year.