Arizona Cardinals: Can Kyler Murray keep it up as MVP frontrunner?
The Arizona Cardinals sit at the top of the NFC West at 4-0, the only unbeaten team in the NFL. Throughout the beginning of the season, quarterback Kyler Murray has put on a show, but can he really keep it up to win NFL MVP?
The Arizona Cardinals have begun the 2021 NFL season in scintillating form, going undefeated with the No. 1 offense in the NFL, scoring 140 points so far and averaging 35 points per game. Quarterback Kyler Murray has been a huge part of his team’s offense taking over this year. After being the QB1 in fantasy last year, Murray has picked up where he left off.
Through four games, Murray has 1,273 passing yards (third in the NFL), 12 touchdowns and a QB rating of 74.5, third in the NFL. As it stands, the former Oklahoma Sooner is on course for over 45 touchdowns and a 5,000-yard season in passing.
The 24-year-old’s explosive dual-threat ability and chemistry with head coach Kliff Kingsbury, alongside the weapons the Cardinals possess in DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green, have created an offense that was billed when Kingsbury was appointed.
In 2020, the Cardinals stuttered as the season fell into December, finishing 8-8 and failing to make the playoffs. This year, the team has added some studs on defense, including JJ Watt and added Rondale Moore and James Conner to the offense.
Though the Cardinals have not been able to shore themselves fully up on defense, the players added have allowed Murray to have an offense that is blowing teams out. The question is if he can keep it up down the stretch.
The Cardinals are not in an easy division, but after putting on a show against the No. 1 defense in the Los Angeles Rams and Aaron Donald, it’s not obvious that anyone can put a stop the Murray train. His biggest test could come against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6 and the home fixture against the Rams on Monday Night Football in December.
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If Murray and his offense can keep up making explosive plays and putting up the points, deep into December, then there is no reason that he is not set up for the MVP this year. The schedule is not easy and will be a big test. But on current merit, there is no stopping the Sooner yet.