Examine the stats for the 2023 season with and without Kyler Murray.
The Arizona Cardinals are 3-10 heading into the bye week.
The question now is how things have looked over the course of those 13 games, and what the differences are now that Kyler Murray is back.
We will, of course, look into this at the end of the season.
Begin with the simple stuff, such as bulk stats.
Without Kyler Murray, Josh Dobbs and one Clayton Tune take the field:
16.8 points per contest
The average yardage per game is 289.7 yards.
162.7 yards per game passing
127 yards per game on the ground
Per game, there are 1.3 turnovers.
26.7 points per game permitted
Allowances for 352.4 yards per game
1.1 forced turnovers per game
Overall record of 1-8.
Along with Kyler Murray:
19.8 points per contest
311.3 yards per contest
194.3 yards per game passing
117 yards per game on the ground
Per game, there are 0.8 turnovers.
Pre-game point total of 22.8
Allowances for 361.8 yards per game
1.3 forced turnovers per game
overall record of 2-2
So, everything is obviously better, but I am surprised at how much better the defensive points per game allowed have been. This is something we need to investigate further to see if there is a link, but boosting offensive capabilities is not surprising.
I took out the Tune game to take a look, and this is how the Dobbs begins:
18.8 points per contest
318.6 yard average per game
180.9 yards per game passing
137.8 yards per game on the ground
Per game, there are 1.1 turnovers.
26.6 points per game permitted
1.3 forced turnovers per game
As a result, the points and passing yardage are slightly lower, with slightly more rushing yards. I’m guessing that’s because Dobbs was running the ball so much, but this is just a quick overview of the differences.
The most bizarre aspect is that, despite a better rushing attack and a positive turnover differential, the defense was still allowing four more points per game.
Again, I am excited to see how these things play out at the end of the season, but there are clear positives after four games.
We’ll see how it goes with the killer schedule to end the season.
