Trey McBride's historic 100 catches overshadowed by Cardinals' loss

In a turbulent 2024 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals faced yet another heartbreaking loss on December 28, when they fell 13-9 to the Los Angeles Rams. The game took place in Inglewood, California, and marked a significant moment for tight end Trey McBride, who achieved the milestone of 100 receptions in a single season, making him just the 10th tight end in NFL history to reach this mark. Despite a strong offensive performance from quarterback Kyler Murray, who completed 33 out of 48 passes for 321 yards, the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities led to another defeat. This game highlighted the frustrations felt by the Cardinals, who have been struggling with consistency throughout the year. The loss was compounded by an unfortunate incident when a potential game-winning touchdown pass intended for McBride deflected off his helmet in the end zone, preventing Arizona from securing a victory. Throughout the match, the Cardinals demonstrated a strong defensive performance, limiting the Rams to only 257 total yards. However, the offense struggled in critical moments, with Murray throwing two interceptions, continuing a troubling trend where he has thrown seven interceptions in the last five games. McBride's performance was a bright spot, as he tied a career-high with 12 receptions and tallied 123 receiving yards, showcasing his skills amidst the adversity faced by the team. This season has also seen rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. emerging as a reliable target for Murray, as noted by his six catches for 96 yards in the same game. Coach Jonathan Gannon has acknowledged the team's close calls, expressing belief that they are just a couple of plays away from a better record. The Cardinals finished this game with a 7-9 record for the season and were left reflecting on missed opportunities and the importance of improving execution in future matchups. The game was marked by McBride scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard reception, but a blocked extra point forced the team to chase a touchdown for victory instead of settling for a tying field goal at the end. Murray expressed his frustrations after the game, comparing the play to a similar defeat in 2021 and highlighting the challenges the team has faced with 'unlucky' moments. Gannon’s emphasis on improving player performance and physicality has shown results, yet with the season nearing its end, the Cardinals face questions about their potential moving forward as they evaluate their performance and focus on developing their young talent for the future.