Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats Breakdown – Who Owned the Field?
Introduction
The Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats gave football fans an exciting ride from start to finish. It was packed with touchdowns, sacks, and jaw-dropping plays that no one saw coming. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy football genius, or someone who just watches for the fun, this game had something for everyone.
The Lions, known for their aggressive play under coach Dan Campbell, brought the heat. On the flip side, the Cardinals showed grit, with several young players stepping up. But sometimes, the box score doesn’t tell the full story. That’s where match player stats come into play.
This article breaks down everything in a way that’s fun, easy to understand, and full of useful insights. You’ll learn which players dominated, who surprised us, and how stats helped decide the final outcome. Let’s get started!
Jared Goff vs Kyler Murray: Quarterback Clash
The quarterback battle in the Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match was thrilling. Each quarterback had his moments, but their styles were very different. Jared Goff played a smart, steady game. Kyler Murray brought speed and creativity with his feet and arm.
Jared Goff Stats:
- Passing Yards: 268
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
- Completion Rate: 67%
Kyler Murray Stats:
- Passing Yards: 241
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Rushing Yards: 42
Goff made smart throws and took care of the football. He worked well with his receivers and avoided risky plays. Murray added excitement with his scrambles and creative throws but made a few costly errors. Overall, Goff had the cleaner game, and that helped the Lions stay in control.
Ground Game: Who Ran the Ball Better?
Running the ball matters—a lot. It helps teams control the clock and keeps defenses honest. In this game, the Lions used their runners to eat up yards and time. The Cardinals also showed flashes of strong rushing, but not enough to take over.
Top Rushing Stats:
- David Montgomery (Lions): 93 yards, 1 touchdown, 21 carries
- James Conner (Cardinals): 76 yards, 0 touchdowns, 17 carries
Montgomery was tough to stop. He powered through contact and kept drives alive. Conner was solid too, with several nice runs, but wasn’t as consistent. The running backs made important contributions, especially in short-yardage situations where strength and patience made all the difference.
Wide Receivers Step Up Big
If quarterbacks are the generals, wide receivers are the soldiers on the front line. In the Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats, several receivers stepped up and grabbed the spotlight.
Top Receiving Stats:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions): 8 catches, 112 yards, 1 touchdown
- Marquise Brown (Cardinals): 5 catches, 84 yards
St. Brown was explosive. His route running and quick cuts confused the defense. He found soft spots in coverage and made big plays that led to points. Brown was the Cardinals’ main threat and made a few important grabs, but didn’t find the end zone. His speed was a headache for defenders all night.
Tight Ends and Unsung Heroes
In today’s NFL, tight ends are crucial. They block, catch, and sometimes even carry the ball. Both teams’ tight ends made valuable contributions.
Tight End Stats:
- Sam LaPorta (Lions): 5 catches, 54 yards
- Trey McBride (Cardinals): 4 catches, 49 yards
LaPorta was a safety net for Goff on third downs. McBride did a great job finding gaps in the middle of the defense. Neither had huge numbers, but both were clutch when their teams needed a first down or a spark.
Defense Doesn’t Rest
The Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats would not be complete without looking at the defense. Both teams had defenders who made life hard for the offenses.
Lions Defensive Highlights:
- Aidan Hutchinson: 2 sacks, 4 tackles
- Brian Branch: 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
- Kerby Joseph: 1 interception
Cardinals Defensive Highlights:
- Budda Baker: 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Zaven Collins: 1 sack, multiple QB pressures
- Krys Barnes: 6 tackles, solid in coverage
The Lions applied steady pressure throughout the game. Hutchinson broke through the line several times, disrupting plays and forcing quick throws. Budda Baker played with fire for Arizona, making key tackles and trying to spark momentum for his team.
Special Teams Make the Difference
Special teams often go unnoticed, but they can decide games. That was the case in this battle too. A missed field goal, a solid punt, or a good kickoff return can tilt the field position and give one team the edge.
Special Teams Standouts:
- Michael Badgley (Lions): 2-for-2 field goals, long of 48 yards
- Matt Prater (Cardinals): 1-for-2 field goals, missed a 45-yarder
- Kalif Raymond (Lions): 34-yard punt return
Badgley was reliable, while Prater’s missed kick hurt at a crucial moment. Raymond’s return gave the Lions great field position and led to a touchdown drive. These small moments carry big weight in the final outcome.
Rookie Watch: Young Talent Impresses
Rookies often bring energy and surprise. In the Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match, several first-year players made strong showings that hint at bright futures.
Top Rookie Performances:
- Sam LaPorta (Lions, TE): 5 catches, 54 yards
- BJ Ojulari (Cardinals, LB): 1 sack, key pressures
- Brian Branch (Lions, DB): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Branch stood out for his instincts and quick reactions. Ojulari brought energy as a pass rusher. Seeing rookies perform under pressure shows how well-coached and motivated they are. It also gives fans a reason to stay excited for what’s next.
Turnovers Can Change Everything
Turnovers are game changers. One pick or one fumble can change momentum fast.
Turnover Stats:
- Lions: 0 turnovers
- Cardinals: 2 turnovers (1 interception, 1 fumble)
Goff helped the Lions by protecting the football. The Cardinals, however, lost a fumble in the red zone and threw one interception when they were trying to catch up. Those two mistakes led to a 10-point swing, proving how costly turnovers can be in tight games.
Coaching Decisions That Paid Off
Both coaching staffs made bold calls during the game. But the Lions’ coaching staff seemed more prepared with smart play-calling in key moments.
Dan Campbell’s Smart Choices:
- Went for it on 4th and 2—and converted
- Used creative play-action to get St. Brown open
- Aggressively used timeouts late in the 2nd quarter to squeeze in a field goal
Jonathan Gannon’s Strategy (Cardinals):
- Relied on aggressive defense, but had trouble adjusting to Goff’s passing
- Called three straight runs on 3rd and long in a key 4th quarter drive
Coaching mattered, and Dan Campbell’s bold approach once again lifted his squad. Gannon’s conservative style gave Arizona fewer chances to make a comeback.
Total Team Stats Overview
Let’s step back and look at the full numbers from the Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match that decided the winner.
| Key Stats | Lions | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 384 | 327 |
| Passing Yards | 268 | 241 |
| Rushing Yards | 116 | 86 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 7/13 | 4/12 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 32:47 | 27:13 |
| Penalties | 4 for 35 yds | 7 for 52 yds |
The Lions’ edge in first downs, third-down conversions, and time of possession were key. The extra time and fewer penalties meant more chances—and they used them well.
What This Match Reveals About Each Team
Stats are great, but what do they say about the future?
Lions Takeaways:
- Jared Goff is leading with great poise
- Their young defensive players are thriving
- This team plays aggressive, smart football
- Playoff potential looks stronger every week
Cardinals Takeaways:
- Kyler Murray is still very talented but needs help
- The defense is fast and energetic but needs consistency
- Rookie talent is growing
- They need better red-zone execution
This game may not define the season, but it surely showed where each team is headed—and what they need to work on.
FAQs
Q1: Who had the most passing yards in the Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match?
A: Jared Goff led with 268 passing yards and didn’t throw an interception.
Q2: Which running back had the best performance?
A: David Montgomery was the top rusher, with 93 yards and a touchdown.
Q3: Who caused the most disruption on defense?
A: Aidan Hutchinson stood out with 2 sacks and multiple pressures.
Q4: Did either quarterback make mistakes?
A: Kyler Murray threw one interception and lost a fumble. Goff had zero turnovers.
Q5: What impact did penalties have?
A: The Cardinals had more penalties and lost more yards, which hurt several drives.
Q6: Who was the best receiver in the game?
A: Amon-Ra St. Brown led all receivers with 112 yards and a touchdown.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats don’t just show who won—they show how and why the game went the way it did. From Jared Goff’s clean performance to Anthony St. Brown’s clutch grabs, the Lions worked together to earn the victory. The Cardinals battled hard, showing flashes of future greatness, but mistakes made the road steeper.
For fans, fantasy players, coaches, and anyone who loves football, player stats help tell the real story. Every yard, every tackle, and every decision counts. And in a closely-fought match like this, it’s the little things—like careful passes, clean tackles, and smart coaching—that make the biggest difference.
