Cardinals Hold Off Bills in Tight 24-20 Victory

BUFFALO, NY — The Arizona Cardinals kicked off their season with a hard-fought 24-20 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, controlling the game with clutch performances on both sides of the ball. Kyler Murray passed for 201 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, while James Conner powered the run game with 76 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to help Arizona secure the win.

“We knew coming into Buffalo wasn’t going to be easy,” said Murray. “But we stuck to our game plan, and the defense made some big plays.”

Cardinals Lean on Conner, Murray for the Win

The Cardinals established control early with Conner’s bruising runs and Murray’s efficient passing. Conner’s two touchdowns helped Arizona jump out to a lead, while the defense kept Bills quarterback Josh Allen from finding a consistent rhythm. Allen passed for 256 yards and a touchdown, but Arizona’s defense stood tall in critical moments, forcing Buffalo into difficult situations.

James Cook provided a spark for the Bills’ offense, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown. Khalil Coleman added 86 receiving yards, but the Bills couldn’t turn their offensive production into enough points to match Arizona’s more efficient drives.

Key Performers

Kyler Murray led the Cardinals with 201 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. “It wasn’t perfect, but we fought hard and made plays when it counted,” Murray said after the game. James Conner rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns, adding, “I just trusted the O-line and hit the gaps. We needed this win.”

For the Bills, Josh Allen threw for 256 yards and a touchdown. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize enough,” Allen reflected. James Cook contributed 120 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Khalil Coleman added 86 receiving yards.

Injuries

The Buffalo Bills will be evaluating a few players after the game to determine the severity of their injuries and potential recovery timelines. DaQuan Jones, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and David Edwards were all sidelined during the game, and the team will assess their conditions further in the coming days. The Arizona Cardinals, meanwhile, reported no injuries following the matchup.

Up Next

The Cardinals head home to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, while the Bills will look to bounce back on the road against the Miami Dolphins.