The Arizona Cardinals were making mistakes and not executing on them. At least they made an effort to turn two huge mistakes of their own into turnovers by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Two of Kyler Murray’s first four passes on Monday Night Football were batted down by the Los Angeles Chargers. The second was overthrown by Los Angeles’ Khalil Mack and intercepted by defensive lineman Teair Tart going the other way.
But an alert James Conner quickly turned around, came from behind and knocked the ball out of Tart’s arms. Arizona receiver Michael Wilson eventually chased down and landed on the deflected loose ball.
It was at the 28-yard line, 13 yards behind, where the Cardinals snapped the ball before the very brief change of possession.
CHAOS IN ARIZONA.
📺: #LACvsAZ on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/c5BafGb8Et
– NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
Arizona couldn’t do much from there, moving the ball another six yards before punting on what was technically its second possession, which ended before the Chargers’ offense got his first snap.
Once again, it didn’t look good for the Cardinals soon after.
Los Angeles receiver Jalen Reagor got behind the Arizona secondary on a 41-yard run from quarterback Justin Herbert, but Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V hit the ball.
He bounced into the end zone and was recovered by safety Jalen Thompson before running out of bounds, saving a touchdown — or at least a red zone appearance for the Chargers.
A replay confirmed that Reagor stayed in bounds just enough to keep the possession alive before his cough.
Another crazy turn of events in Arizona!
Potential Chargers TD turns into end zone fumble
📺: #LACvsAZ on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/3l0XuKKkHz
– NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2024
All of this left the game scoreless until Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker completed a 59-yard pass to put Los Angeles up 3-0 with 11:59 left in the first half.
