For the first time since Dec. 12, 2022, quarterback Kyler Murray will be starting for the Arizona Cardinals. Murray suffered a non-contact Grade 3 ACL tear in Week 14 on a scramble against the Patriots. In addition to Murray, Cardinals running back James Connor is returning from the injured reserve (IR). Connor suffered a Grade 1 knee strain in the second quarter against the Bengals. The Cardinals’ offense has struggled without their starting quarterback as they currently sit at 1-8 and have the 26th-ranked total offense.

Murray had a good injury-shortened season last year playing 13 games throwing for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Murray also racked up 418 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In comparison the 2023 Cardinals rank 31st in passing offense averaging 162.7 yards per game and have a lowly eight passing touchdowns through nine games. Murray and the Cardinals will have a tough test going against the 10th-ranked passing defense of the Atlanta Falcons. Through nine weeks the Falcons have allowed 197.1 passing yards per game and 17 passing touchdowns. Unfortunately, cornerback Dee Alford has been ruled out due to an ankle injury. This could provide more opportunities for Cardinal wide receivers Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore. Not to mention the return of Murray doesn’t only affect the passing game, his positive impact on the rushing game can’t be understated.

With Murray having the threat of using his legs it opens more opportunities for their rushing attack. The Cardinals rushing offense has been reliable this season as they’re ranked eighth, averaging 127 rush yards per game and have seven rushing touchdowns. Even without James Connor the rushing attack has been successful. In three out of their last four games, the Cardinals have rushed for 130, 127, and 129 yards. Nonetheless, the return of Connor adds another weapon to their running back room. In Weeks 1-5 Connor carried the ball 68 times for 364 yards. He also had two rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per rush. The Cardinals should have the advantage this week as the Falcons’ rush defense is ranked 14th. With that being said, the Falcons have allowed just two rushing touchdowns this season. The Cardinals do have an X-Factor as teams have to use spies on Kyler Murray to stop his threat as a runner. With a variety of ways to attack in the rushing game, it’s likely the Cardinals’ rushing offense will only improve.

In the end, the Cardinals’ playoff chances may be slim, but with the key returns of Murray and Connor, Arizona will have greater opportunities to win their final eight games and end this season on a high note.