Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats

On September 8, 2024, the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats in a high-energy Week 1 NFL matchup at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The game was a rollercoaster, with the Cardinals jumping out to an early lead and the Bills staging a dramatic second-half comeback to secure a 34-28 victory. Led by their star quarterbacks, Kyler Murray for Arizona and Josh Allen for Buffalo, both teams showcased a mix of explosive plays, gritty defense, and critical moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In this article, we’ll break down the key player stats, highlight top performances, and provide a clear, easy-to-read analysis of what made this game so exciting. Whether you’re a lifelong football fan or just getting into the sport, we’ve got you covered with all the numbers and insights in a way that’s simple to understand.

Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves

The Arizona Cardinals started strong, building a commanding 17-3 lead by the end of the second quarter. Their offense, led by Kyler Murray’s dual-threat ability and James Conner’s reliable rushing, looked sharp early on. However, the Buffalo Bills, powered by Josh Allen’s arm and legs, flipped the script in the second half, outscoring Arizona 28-3 across the third and fourth quarters to take control. A critical fumble by Murray, a highlight-reel touchdown by Allen, and a clutch defensive stop sealed the Bills’ victory. Let’s dive into the stats to see how the players performed and what made the difference in this thrilling clash.

Key Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a quick look at the standout stats from both teams’ top performers. This table makes it easy to compare the numbers at a glance.

Player	Team	Passing Yards	Passing TDs	Rushing Yards	Rushing TDs	Receiving Yards	Sacks
Kyler Murray	Cardinals	162 (21/31)	1	57 (5 carries)	0	–	–
Josh Allen	Bills	232 (18/23)	2	39 (9 carries)	2	–	–
James Conner	Cardinals	–	–	50 (16 carries)	1	33 (4 rec)	–
James Cook	Bills	–	–	71 (19 carries)	0	32 (1 rec)	–
Greg Dortch	Cardinals	–	–	1 (1 carry)	0	47 (6 rec)	–
Keon Coleman	Bills	–	–	–	–	51 (4 rec)	–
Greg Rousseau	Bills	–	–	–	–	–	3
Kei’Trel Clark	Cardinals	–	–	–	–	–	1

This table highlights the key contributors, but let’s break down the performances in more detail to see how they shaped the game.

Arizona Cardinals: Offensive Highlights

Kyler Murray’s Dual-Threat Performance

Kyler Murray, the Cardinals’ dynamic quarterback, showed why he’s one of the NFL’s most exciting players. He completed 21 of 31 passes (67.7%) for 162 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions, earning a solid quarterback rating of 91.1. His touchdown pass was a 5-yard strike to rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson in the first quarter, capping a 70-yard, 13-play opening drive. Murray’s mobility was a big factor, as he led the Cardinals in rushing with 57 yards on five carries, including a 29-yard scramble that kept drives alive. However, a critical fumble in the third quarter, forced by Bills’ defensive end Greg Rousseau, led to a Bills touchdown that shifted momentum.

James Conner’s Workhorse Role

Running back James Conner was the backbone of Arizona’s ground game. He carried the ball 16 times for 50 yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry, and scored a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give the Cardinals a 17-3 lead. Conner also contributed in the passing game, catching four passes for 33 yards. His physical running style helped Arizona control the clock early, with the team holding the ball for 29:30 compared to Buffalo’s 30:30.

Greg Dortch Steps Up in the Receiving Game

With rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. having a quiet debut (one catch for 4 yards on three targets), wide receiver Greg Dortch became Murray’s go-to target. Dortch caught six passes for 47 yards, leading the team in receptions. His sure hands and quick routes were crucial on third downs, where Arizona converted 7 of 13 attempts (53.8%). However, a failed fourth-down pass to Dortch late in the game, broken up by Bills defenders Damar Hamlin and Ja’Marcus Ingram, sealed Arizona’s fate.

The Disappointing Debut of Marvin Harrison Jr.

Much was expected of Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but his debut was underwhelming. Targeted just three times, he managed only one catch for 4 yards. The Bills’ secondary did a good job of limiting his impact, and Murray didn’t look his way during the crucial final drive. Cardinals fans will hope to see more of “Maserati Marv” in future games as he adjusts to the NFL.

Buffalo Bills: Offensive Firepower

Josh Allen’s Heroics

Josh Allen was the star of the show for Buffalo, delivering a four-touchdown performance that showcased his arm, legs, and heart. He completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns, earning an impressive quarterback rating of 137.7. Allen spread the ball to nine different receivers, with rookie Keon Coleman leading the way with four catches for 51 yards. Allen also ran for 39 yards on nine carries, scoring two rushing touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 6-yard run in the fourth quarter where he hurdled Cardinals safety Budda Baker to put Buffalo up 31-20. Despite losing a fumble early in the game, Allen’s ability to make plays under pressure was the difference-maker.

James Cook’s Balanced Contribution

Running back James Cook led the Bills’ ground game with 71 yards on 19 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He also added a 32-yard reception, giving him over 100 total yards. Cook’s steady running helped balance Buffalo’s offense, which racked up 352 total yards compared to Arizona’s 270. His ability to keep drives alive complemented Allen’s explosive plays.

Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins Make Big Plays

With Stefon Diggs traded to Houston and Gabe Davis gone to free agency, the Bills relied on a new group of receivers. Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins stepped up with crucial touchdown catches. Shakir’s 11-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave Buffalo a 24-17 lead, while Hollins’ 11-yard score earlier in the quarter tied the game at 17-17. Rookie Keon Coleman’s 51 receiving yards led the team, showing promise for Buffalo’s revamped receiving corps.

Defensive Standouts

Greg Rousseau’s Game-Changing Sacks

On the defensive side, Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau had a career day, recording three sacks, including a strip-sack on Kyler Murray that led to a fumble recovery by linebacker Dorian Williams at Arizona’s 21-yard line. This set up a go-ahead touchdown pass from Allen to Shakir. Rousseau’s pressure on Murray disrupted the Cardinals’ rhythm in the second half, helping Buffalo take control.

Kei’Trel Clark’s Effort for Arizona

For the Cardinals, cornerback Kei’Trel Clark recorded a sack, one of the few bright spots on defense. Arizona’s defense struggled to contain Josh Allen, especially in the second half, but Clark’s effort showed promise for a young secondary. The Cardinals also got a boost from a questionable personal foul penalty on Bills’ Ja’Marcus Ingram, which helped set up their opening touchdown.

Special Teams: A Game-Changing Return

The game featured the first kickoff return touchdown under the NFL’s new rules, with Arizona’s DeeJay Dallas taking a kickoff 96 yards to the house in the fourth quarter, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 31-28. Dallas fielded the ball at his own 4-yard line, navigated through traffic, and found a lane up the left side for the score. This was Arizona’s first kickoff return touchdown since 2015, and it gave the Cardinals a fighting chance late in the game.

Matt Prater was reliable for Arizona, hitting field goals of 29 and 31 yards, while Buffalo’s Tyler Bass connected on a 37-yard field goal. Both kickers were perfect on extra points.

Team Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats: How They Stacked Up

Here’s a quick look at the team stats to show how the game played out:

Stat	Cardinals	Bills
Total Yards	270	352
Passing Yards	146	222
Rushing Yards	124	130
Third-Down Conv.	7/13 (53.8%)	3/9 (33.3%)
Fourth-Down Conv.	0/1 (0.0%)	2/2 (100%)
Penalties	5 (31 yards)	9 (65 yards)
Time of Possession	29:30	30:30

The Cardinals’ strong third-down conversion rate kept them in the game early, but their failure to convert on fourth down and a critical fumble were costly. Buffalo’s balanced attack, with 130 rushing yards and 222 passing yards, overwhelmed Arizona’s defense in the second half.

Key Moments That Defined the Game

1. Cardinals’ Hot Start: Arizona opened with a 70-yard touchdown drive, capped by Murray’s pass to Michael Wilson. They added a 29-yard field goal and a 3-yard Conner touchdown to lead 17-3.

2. Bills’ Second-Half Surge: Buffalo answered with a 7-yard Allen rushing touchdown before halftime and tied the game with an 11-yard pass to Hollins in the third quarter.

3. Rousseau’s Strip-Sack: Greg Rousseau’s sack and forced fumble on Murray set up a short field, leading to Shakir’s go-ahead touchdown.

4. Allen’s Hurdle: Josh Allen’s 6-yard touchdown run, where he leaped over Budda Baker, put Buffalo up 31-20 and energized the crowd.

5. Dallas’ Kickoff Return: DeeJay Dallas’ 96-yard return kept Arizona alive, but they couldn’t capitalize on the momentum.

6. Final Defensive Stand: The Bills’ defense stopped Murray’s fourth-down pass to Dortch with 26 seconds left, sealing the 34-28 win.

What This Means for Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats Both Teams

For the Buffalo Bills, this comeback win showed their resilience and ability to adapt without key receivers like Stefon Diggs. Josh Allen remains the heart of the team, and newcomers like Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir proved they can step up. Greg Rousseau’s dominant performance suggests the defense can carry the load, even with injuries to players like Taron Johnson. The Bills (1-0) look like a contender in the AFC East.

For the Arizona Cardinals, the loss was disappointing, but there were bright spots. Kyler Murray’s health and mobility are encouraging, and James Conner remains a reliable workhorse. However, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s quiet debut and the defense’s inability to stop Allen in the second half highlight areas for improvement. The Cardinals (0-1) head into a three-game homestand with a chance to build on their early offensive spark.

Why This Game Matters

This matchup was a showcase of two dynamic quarterbacks and teams with something to prove. The Cardinals showed they can compete with top teams, even if they couldn’t close it out. The Bills demonstrated their championship pedigree, rallying behind Josh Allen’s heroics. For fans, it was a reminder of why NFL Week 1 is so exciting—anything can happen, and every play counts.

Final Thoughts

The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats on September 8, 2024, was a thrilling start to the NFL season. Josh Allen’s four-touchdown performance, Greg Rousseau’s three sacks, and DeeJay Dallas’ kickoff return were just a few of the moments that made this game unforgettable. While the Bills walked away with the win, the Cardinals showed promise that could carry them far in 2024. Keep an eye on both teams as they build on this exciting opener.