5 Shocking Player Stats That Defined The Cardinals' 17-15 Upset Over The Chargers On MNF

The Arizona Cardinals' 17-15 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football on October 21, 2024, was a statistical anomaly that left NFL analysts stunned. This Week 7 primetime matchup at State Farm Stadium was a grinding, low-scoring affair decided by a walk-off field goal, but the final player stats tell a story of offensive dominance that failed to translate into points for one team, and clutch, opportunistic play for the other. The key takeaways reveal a baffling performance from a star quarterback and a career-defining night for a veteran running back.

The game's box score is a masterclass in misleading numbers, highlighting how defensive pressure, red-zone inefficiency, and clutch special teams play dictated the outcome, despite one quarterback throwing for nearly 350 yards. Dive into the most surprising and impactful player statistics that defined this dramatic NFC vs. AFC showdown.

The Statistical Anomaly: Key Player Stats from Cardinals vs. Chargers (October 21, 2024)

The final score, 17-15, only hints at the statistical battle that unfolded. The Los Angeles Chargers, despite racking up nearly 400 yards of total offense, were consistently thwarted by a bend-but-don't-break Arizona Cardinals defense and a series of self-inflicted wounds. Conversely, the Cardinals relied on a ground-and-pound attack and a few explosive plays to secure the win.

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Quarterback and Offensive Leaders

• Justin Herbert (Chargers QB): 27/39 completions, 349 Passing Yards, 0 Touchdowns, 0 Interceptions.
• Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB): 1 Passing Touchdown, 1 Interception, 67.0 Passer Rating. Rushing: 6 carries, 64 yards, 1 Rushing Touchdown.
• James Conner (Cardinals RB): 22 carries, 152 Rushing Yards, 6.9 Yards Per Carry (YPC).
• Chargers Team Receiving: 349 receiving yards spread across the corps (led by a high-volume effort, but no single player broke 100 yards).
• Greg Dortch (Cardinals WR): 5-yard Touchdown Reception (the Cardinals' only passing TD).

Defensive and Special Teams Standouts

• Cardinals Sacks: 3 Total Sacks (Dante Stills, Ben Stille, Naquan Jones each recorded one).
• Cardinals Interception: Teair Tart (1 INT).
• Chargers Tackles Leader: Derwin James (8 Total Tackles).
• Clutch Kicking: Chad Ryland (Cardinals K) hit the 32-yard game-winning field goal. Cameron Dicker (Chargers K) made a 59-yard field goal.
• Defensive Play of the Game: James Conner (Cardinals RB) forced a fumble on Teair Tart's interception return, demonstrating a rare two-way impact.

Justin Herbert’s 349-Yard Nightmare: The Empty Yardage Narrative

In a performance that will be dissected for weeks, Justin Herbert's 349 passing yards stand as a monument to red-zone failure and receiver struggles. Herbert completed 27 of 39 passes, an efficient 69.2% completion rate, and notably avoided turning the ball over with 0 interceptions.

However, the Chargers’ offense repeatedly stalled. Despite the high yardage total, the team managed only 15 points and failed to score a single offensive touchdown. The post-game analysis pointed to a series of drops and poor execution by the receiving corps, which let Herbert down on critical third downs and in the scoring area. This statistical anomaly—a near-350-yard passing day without a single touchdown—is a rare occurrence and a significant factor in the Chargers' loss, highlighting a fundamental disconnect between moving the ball and finishing drives.

The Cardinals’ defensive line deserves credit for capitalizing on this inefficiency. Players like Dante Stills, Ben Stille, and Naquan Jones all recorded a sack, contributing to the three total sacks that pressured Herbert throughout the night, forcing him to settle for short gains and check-downs rather than deep, game-changing throws.

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The Ground Game Dominance: James Conner’s Monster Rushing Night

While the quarterbacks struggled for consistency, the Cardinals’ veteran running back, James Conner, put on a clinic. Conner amassed 152 rushing yards on 22 carries, averaging a massive 6.9 yards per carry. This performance was the engine of the Cardinals' offense, allowing them to control the clock and keep the potent Chargers offense on the sideline.

Conner’s dominance was not limited to offense. In a moment that encapsulated the Cardinals' fight, Conner chased down defensive tackle Teair Tart after Tart intercepted a pass from Kyler Murray. Conner punched the ball out, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Cardinals. This hustle play prevented a potential Chargers score and was arguably the most crucial defensive action of the night, illustrating the two-way impact of the Cardinals’ star back.

This commitment to the run game, a stark contrast to the Chargers’ pass-heavy approach, proved to be the winning formula. It set up the dramatic late-game heroics and allowed Kyler Murray to execute his signature play: the scramble.

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Kyler Murray’s Clutch Play and the Walk-Off Finish

Kyler Murray’s stat line, including an interception and a 67.0 passer rating, doesn't reflect his impact. The Cardinals’ victory was defined by two explosive, high-leverage plays that came directly from their quarterback.

First, Murray connected with wide receiver Greg Dortch for a 5-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, representing the Cardinals’ only passing touchdown of the game. Second, and most dramatically, Murray sealed his legacy for the night with a 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. This explosive scramble demonstrated his elite athleticism and was the single biggest offensive play that brought the Cardinals back from a 15-10 deficit.

The final drive was a testament to the team’s resilience. After Murray’s clutch run tied the game, the Cardinals offense, fueled by the running game, drove down the field in the final minutes. The drive culminated in a 32-yard walk-off field goal by kicker Chad Ryland as time expired, securing the 17-15 victory.

The Defensive Entities: A Low-Scoring Grind

The low-scoring nature of the contest was a direct result of the defensive efforts on both sides, making the defensive player stats critical to the final narrative. The Cardinals' defense, despite allowing 349 passing yards, held firm in the red zone and forced turnovers.

The defensive line's three sacks from Dante Stills, Ben Stille, and Naquan Jones were instrumental in preventing Herbert from getting comfortable. Furthermore, the interception by Teair Tart—though negated by the subsequent fumble—showed the secondary's ability to create pressure. The Chargers' defense also had its standouts, with safety Derwin James leading the team with 8 total tackles, and linebackers Tuli Tuipolutu and Junior Colson contributing to the defensive effort, keeping the game close until the final kick.

Ultimately, the Cardinals vs. Chargers match player stats from October 21, 2024, will be remembered not for the high yardage, but for the efficiency, the clutch plays, and the defensive opportunism that allowed the Cardinals to pull off a hard-fought, two-point victory on Monday Night Football.