The Baffling Box Score: 5 Key Player Stats That Defined The Chargers Vs. Cardinals 2024 Thriller

The most recent clash between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Arizona Cardinals delivered one of the most statistically baffling outcomes of the 2024 season, a 17-15 victory for the Cardinals on Monday, October 21, 2024. This article offers a deep dive into the critical player statistics from that game, contrasting it with the equally dramatic 2022 matchup, to uncover the true story behind the numbers and provide a fresh perspective on the performance of star players like Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray. The analysis reveals how a massive yardage advantage can be completely nullified by a handful of explosive plays and critical defensive stands, a trend that continues to define the careers of these two franchise quarterbacks.

The narrative of the 2024 game was simple: the Chargers dominated the air but failed to convert, while the Cardinals relied on a punishing ground game and one moment of quarterback magic. The player stats from this matchup are essential for understanding the current trajectory of both franchises, especially as news from early 2025 suggests new roles and evolving expectations for key offensive weapons.

The October 21, 2024 Showdown: High Volume, Low Score Player Statistics

The 2024 matchup saw the Arizona Cardinals edge out the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15, decided by a late walk-off field goal. The final box score was a statistical anomaly, with the Chargers racking up significant yardage that ultimately proved meaningless. This game is a classic study in "wasted stats," where individual brilliance does not translate to team success.

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Quarterback Comparison: Herbert's Volume vs. Murray's Clutch Dual-Threat

The primary storyline revolved around the two dynamic quarterbacks, Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray, whose stat lines told vastly different tales of efficiency and impact. The Chargers' offense, under Herbert, moved the ball with ease but stalled repeatedly in the red zone, a critical flaw that the Cardinals exploited.

• Justin Herbert (LAC): Herbert put up a massive 349 passing yards, completing 27 of 39 attempts. Crucially, his stat line included zero passing touchdowns. This performance, while high in volume, was marred by a lack of decisive scoring, highlighting the Chargers’ struggle to punch the ball in.
• Kyler Murray (ARI): Murray’s passing numbers were modest at 145 yards on 14 of 26 completions, but his impact was felt most acutely on the ground. He recorded a game-changing 44-yard rushing touchdown on a scramble in the fourth quarter, an explosive play that flipped the momentum and proved to be the difference-maker in a low-scoring affair. He also threw one touchdown pass to Greg Dortch.

Rushing Dominance: The James Conner Factor

The Cardinals' victory was built on the back of a dominant rushing performance from veteran running back James Conner. His ability to sustain drives and control the clock contrasted sharply with the Chargers' less effective ground game, which struggled to complement Herbert's aerial attack.

• James Conner (ARI): Conner was the engine of the Cardinals' offense, racking up 152 rushing yards on the day. This performance was critical for chewing up the clock and keeping the high-powered Chargers offense off the field. The heavy workload and success of Conner in this game, however, is now viewed through the lens of 2025 news, where the emergence of rookie Trey Benson is expected to reduce Conner’s volume moving forward.
• Chargers Rushing Attack: The Chargers' running backs struggled to find space, failing to generate the necessary balance to convert their numerous drives into touchdowns.

Defensive and Receiving Player Statistics: The Unsung Heroes

While the quarterbacks and primary running back garnered the headlines, the game was ultimately decided by the performance of the secondary players and the defense. This is where the topical authority deep dive reveals the true entities that swung the game.

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The Chargers' Wasted Receiving Efforts

Despite Herbert's 349 yards, no single Chargers receiver had a truly dominant, game-winning performance. The yardage was spread out among multiple players, preventing one receiver from taking over the game. Key receiving entities included the likes of wide receivers Josh Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey, alongside tight end Hayden Hurst, all of whom accumulated yardage but failed to reach the end zone. The absence of a clutch, go-to target in the red zone was a major takeaway from the box score.

Defensive Turnovers and Clutch Kicking

Both defenses performed admirably, generating key turnovers and goal-line stands that kept the score low and the tension high. The defensive player stats, though not always as flashy as offensive numbers, were the difference-makers.

• Cardinals' Defensive Stand: The Cardinals' defense came up with critical stops, including a key turnover—an interception or fumble recovery—that prevented a Chargers score. The defensive line also managed to pressure Herbert, despite the low sack total, forcing him into uncomfortable throws.
• Chargers' Defensive Pressure: The Chargers' defense, despite struggling to contain James Conner, managed to limit Kyler Murray's passing game and generated a turnover of their own. However, they failed to sack Murray, allowing him the crucial time to execute his game-winning 44-yard scramble.
• Special Teams Deciders: The kickers, Chad Ryland (ARI) and Cameron Dicker (LAC), played pivotal roles. Ryland hit the walk-off field goal to seal the 17-15 victory, while Dicker had a strong game, including a 59-yard field goal, but his efforts were ultimately on the losing side.

A Comparative Look: Chargers vs. Cardinals November 27, 2022

To fully appreciate the narrative of the 2024 game, it's crucial to compare it to the last time these two teams met on November 27, 2022, a game the Chargers won 25-24 in an equally dramatic fashion. The comparison highlights the shift in offensive reliance and the evolution of the key players.

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The 2022 Stat Leaders: Herbert's Efficiency and Ekeler's Versatility

The 2022 game was defined by the Chargers' ability to convert drives into touchdowns, largely thanks to the versatility of their star running back and an efficient performance from Herbert.

• Justin Herbert (LAC): In 2022, Herbert threw for 274 yards on 35 of 47 completions, but most importantly, he recorded 3 passing touchdowns. This efficiency and red-zone success is the starkest contrast to his 2024 performance.
• Austin Ekeler (LAC): The former Chargers star was the offensive MVP, scoring 2 total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) and being the focal point of the comeback victory. His clutch receiving score late in the game was the ultimate difference-maker.
• James Conner (ARI): Conner also had a strong outing in 2022, setting a season-high with 120 rushing yards, proving his consistent threat against the Chargers' defense across both matchups.

The Key Takeaway from the Two Matchups

The statistical comparison reveals a crucial pattern: the Chargers' success hinges on red-zone conversion, a metric that was high in 2022 (3 TDs on 274 yards) but disastrously low in 2024 (0 TDs on 349 yards). For the Cardinals, the constant factor is James Conner's reliable rushing production and Kyler Murray's ability to create explosive plays with his legs when the passing game struggles.

Topical Authority: The Latest Player News and Performance Trends (2025 Outlook)

To provide the most current and fresh analysis, the player stats must be viewed in the context of recent team news and the 2025 outlook for these key entities. The narrative of the 2024 game continues to shape the future of both franchises.

• The Herbert Conundrum: The 349-yard, 0-TD performance in 2024 reignited the conversation around Herbert’s ability to win ugly. Despite his massive contract and high volume of passing yards, the team's inability to convert his efforts into points remains a primary focus for the Chargers' new coaching staff in 2025.
• Kyler Murray's Confidence: Heading into the 2025 season, Murray's confidence, especially in his dual-threat ability, is a major storyline for the Cardinals. His game-winning 44-yard run in 2024 is seen as a key example of the type of playmaking that the team needs to rely on.
• James Conner and the Future of the Backfield: While Conner had a huge 152-yard day in 2024, news from the 2025 offseason has centered on the potential emergence of rookie running back Trey Benson. Murray has expressed "ultimate confidence" in Benson, suggesting Conner's role as the primary workhorse may be significantly reduced, making his 2024 performance a potential high-water mark for his tenure.

The statistical history between the Chargers and the Cardinals is one of close, high-stakes contests decided by late-game heroics and critical red-zone efficiency. The 2024 game, in particular, offers a valuable lesson: individual player stats, no matter how impressive, are secondary to clutch scoring and defensive execution. For fans and analysts alike, the box score of this recent thriller serves as a compelling case study on the difference between accumulating yardage and achieving victory.