Murray was injured in the Cardinals’ infamous collapse against the Tennessee Titans, a 22-21 loss in Week 5. It was the centerpiece of a loss in which the Cardinals lost by a combined 13 points, tying the 2017 San Francisco 49ers for the most sack margin in five-game NFL history.
After starting the season 2-0, in the Cardinals’ next five games they lost by one goal each time the opponent took the lead with less than five minutes to play. Through Weeks 3-5, the otherworldly Cardinals found a way to lose in heartbreaking fashion, with losses to the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Titans all coming via field goals with no time left. Then came back-to-back setbacks against the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, allowing touchdowns with 4:32 and 1:50 remaining, respectively.
On Monday, Arizona opened the fourth quarter with a 17-point lead.
Then Dak Prescott hit Ryan Flournoy and suddenly Arizona’s lead was 27-17.
It resulted in a closer result than it needed to be for the night — and the Cardinals’ losing streak. But this time, Brissett and the Birds prevailed.
“You can’t say enough good things about what Jacoby is doing right now,” Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell told NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz. “He’s playing so well for us. He’s locking in, he’s just doing what he needs to do. You lose your starting quarterback, it’s hard in the NFL to win ballgames. But for Jacoby to step in there and we don’t miss a beat, it’s been great for us. He’s been incredible.”
For the journeyman signal-caller, the win ended an individual losing streak of six straight starts, earning his first QB victory since Week 1 last season with the New England Patriots. He would not be involved in any decision-making as it relates to the starting lineup.
“I don’t get into those things,” Brissett said. “I’m just trying to go out here, win games, be a good teammate and do the best I can when I get the chance. That’s all I can ask for.”
Furthermore, Brissett didn’t even sell himself as the catalyst behind Monday’s win. Then again, it could be argued, that is exactly the feeling that a leader would convey.
“I don’t think it’s me. I don’t,” he said. “Everybody goes through that at the beginning of the season and if things don’t work out. The good teams in this league find ways to keep getting better, and that’s what we’re doing at this point in the season, just finding ways to keep getting better. You tweak things, you go back to the drawing board. We’re going to go back after this game, we should have done it better, I should have done it better, and I should have done it better that’s what we’re doing a good job, I don’t think it’s just me over time and throughout the season we’ll continue to get better.”