SOAR
1. Kyler Murray — Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals arrived in Dallas on a three-game losing streak and perceived as underdogs by some talking heads. The team left with a 25-22 victory. Murray regained his MVP mojo and went 26-for-38 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
It was his best overall game since returning from injury. The play-calling of Kliff Kingsbury while protecting a three-point lead resembeled a video game. He used Murray’s legs and ran some option and QB draws.
With the win Murray is now 9-0 in games played at AT&T Stadium (including his HS championships). He grew up 50 miles away in Allen, Texas. The Cardinals (11-5) still have a shot at winning the NFC West with a victory next week against the Seahawks and a Rams loss to the Niners.
Startin’ 2022 off right w/ my guys! @AZCardinals pic.twitter.com/Soky1TkDzh
— Kyler Murray (@K1) January 3, 2022
2. Jalen Hurts — Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts used his arm and legs to lead Philly to a huge 20-16 road win against NFC East-rival WFT. At 9-7 the Eagles clinched a playoff berth late Sunday night with the Vikings’ loss at Green Bay. They finish with a season-ending tilt against the division-champion Cowboys looming. A win could improve their playoff seeding.
Hurts didn’t throw for a ton of yards (17 of 26 for 214 yards), but he made them count and also rushed for 44 more. Hurts was able to overcome some passing inaccuracies with his poise and moxie when the team found itself down 10-0 and 16-7. Hurts is a leader in the truest sense. He’s always composed, and his team is never out of the game.
#Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was sacked only once during today’s game. Almost had a second on his way to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/WwBE5pXaxO
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 2, 2022
3. Russell Wilson — Seattle Seahawks
If Sunday was the last time we see Russell Wilson play a home game for the Seahawks, he went out in style. Wilson was 20-for-29 for 236 yards and four touchdowns as the Hawks routed the Lions 51-29.
Just perfect execution 👌@DangeRussWilson ➡️ @dkm14 for 6!
📺: #DETvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/R1NsTPAo81
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 2, 2022
Many expect Wilson to be traded this offseason, finishing a magical ten-year run in the Pacific Northwest.
SUNK
1. Dak Prescott — Dallas Cowboys
Prescott’s numbers looked pretty good — 24 of 38 for 226 yards and three touchdowns — in a 25-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Much of that came after Dallas was already down 22-7 and went into their desperation two-minute offense. Prescott was erratic and unsure of when to throw or when to run. His costly fumble basically put the game out of reach.
Dak didn’t perform like the QB who shredded the WFT for over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns in the first half of last week’s 56-14 trouncing. He needs to be better or the Cowboys will be one-and-done in the postseason.
After struggling for most of the game, the #DallasCowboys rally late but are unable to complete the comeback, falling to the Cardinals, 25-22.#AZvsDAL | @bswhealth
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 3, 2022
2. Tyler Huntley — Baltimore Ravens
Huntley wasn’t nearly as effective as he’d been in previous starts filling in for Lamar Jackson, who missed his third straight game due to an ankle injury. The late-game heroics weren’t there. He went 20 of 32 for 197 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. He also chipped in with 54 yards on the ground. But it was that lone interception that gave the listless Los Angeles Rams life late in the first half, allowing them to gain some momentum which eventually led to a last second 20-19 comeback win after trailing 16-7 at one point.
The loss dealt a serious blow to the Ravens’ very slim playoffs hopes. Baltimore began the day with a 59 percent chance at the playoffs with a win, and that sunk to 8 percent.
Von Miller iced the game with a sack on Tyler Huntley. pic.twitter.com/UTrH25whaM
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports2) January 2, 2022
3. Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs came into Sunday’s game at Cincinnati riding an eight-game winning streak that propelled them to the AFC’s top seed. They left Cincinnati with a tough 34-31 loss and are now the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind the Tennessee Titans.
It really wasn’t Mahomes’ fault. In what’s become a familiar theme in Kansas City over the years, his defense let the team down big time after playing stellar for eight consecutive weeks. Mahomes wasn’t razor-sharp (26-for-35 for 259 yards and two touchdowns) and had three key incompletions while trying to put together the winning drive.
Final. pic.twitter.com/fZiS2NyyfB
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 2, 2022
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