Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats: Key Performers and Turning Points

Introduction

The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats from their Week 1 meeting on September 8, 2024 serve as a perfect example of how individual performances can turn the tide in a close NFL game. In a 34-28 result favoring Buffalo, both teams showed flashes of strength, but the Bills managed to pull ahead thanks to explosive plays, strong defensive contributions, and clutch moments. In this article, we examine those player stats in depth to understand how the game unfolded and which participants stood out most.

Game Summary & Statistical Foundation

Buffalo Bills vs Arizona Cardinals kicked off at Highmark Stadium, where the Buffalo crowd saw their team overcome a 14-point deficit to open the season with a 34-28 victory. FOX Sports+3ESPN+3Buffalo Bills+3

Here are some of the key team stats that set the stage:

• Total Net Yards: Bills had ~352; Cardinals ~270. FOX Sports+2PFF+2

• Rushing Yards: Bills 130; Cardinals 124. FOX Sports+2Covers.com+2

• Passing Yards: Buffalo passed for 222-232 yards depending on the stat line; Arizona had ~146-162 yards through the air. ESPN+4FOX Sports+4The Score+4

• Time of Possession: Very close — ~30:30 for Bills vs ~29:30 for Cardinals. Covers.com+1

• Third-down efficiency: Cardinals converted more frequently than Buffalo but on more attempts. Cards Wire+2NFL+2

These baseline stats show a game that was tightly contested, with special teams and turnovers likely to be important.

Quarterbacks & Dual Threat Impact

Josh Allen (Bills)

In this Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats context, Josh Allen stood out:

• He completed 18 of 23 passes for around 232 yards and two passing touchdowns. PFF+3FOX Sports+3Covers.com+3

• He added 39 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. PFF+2Covers.com+2

• Allen also helped stretch Arizona’s defense, using both passing spread and his running ability to create pressure and open lanes. ESPN+1

Kyler Murray (Cardinals)

On Arizona’s side in the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats breakdown:

• Murray went 21-for-31 in his passing attempts for about 162 yards, with one passing touchdown and no interceptions. PFF+3The Score+3FOX Sports+3

• He also led the Cardinals in rushing with 57 yards on the ground, though he did not score via rushing. ESPN+3PFF+3Cards Wire+3

Murray’s mobility added a layer of threat for Buffalo to respect, which kept things competitive despite Buffalo’s strong second-half surge.

Running Game & Rushing Contributors

Running back and rushing stats were crucial in the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats showing how both teams tried to balance their offense.

Buffalo’s Ground Attack

• James Cook carried the ball 19 times, gaining ~71 rushing yards. He also contributed in the passing game, adding extra yardage through receptions. The Score+2PFF+2

• Allen’s rushing touchdowns added important points and helped flip momentum late. ESPN+2Covers.com+2

Arizona’s Rushing Efforts

• James Conner made a noticeable impact: 16 carries, ~50 yards, with one rushing touchdown. The Score+2Cards Wire+2

• Murray himself contributed with his running game (57 rushing yards) which kept drives alive and opened up play-action passes. FOX Sports+2Cards Wire+2

Even though Arizona rushed decently, it was Buffalo’s combination of efficient rushing and explosive plays that made the difference down the stretch.

Receiving Corps: Who Stepped Up

Receiving stats often swing tight games, and in this Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats preview, several receivers made key plays.

Buffalo Receivers

• Keon Coleman, a rookie, led the Bills with ~4 receptions for 51 yards. ESPN+2The Score+2

• Khalil Shakir recorded a touchdown catch (~11 yards) and had decent volume in targets. ESPN+2The Score+2

• Other players stepped up, showing that Buffalo wasn’t relying on just one star to win. ESPN+1

Arizona Receivers

• Greg Dortch had a strong day in targets with ~6 catches for ~47 yards. Cards Wire+1

• Michael Wilson caught a touchdown (5 yards) on his one reception. The Score+1

• Marvin Harrison Jr. had a quiet debut: one catch for 4 yards. ESPN+2The Score+2

The spread of targets and who made the plays in tight moments helped define who was able to make slices of yards and score.

Defensive Plays, Turnovers & Game-Changing Moments

In close games, defense and turnovers frequently dictate outcomes. The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats highlight several defensive contributions and critical moments.

• Greg Rousseau (Buffalo) had a career-best 3 sacks and forced a fumble. His pressure in the second half, including a strip that set up a go-ahead touchdown, was pivotal. PFF+2ESPN+2

• On the Cardinals’ side, Budda Baker and others in the secondary made plays, but ultimately failed to prevent key scoring drives or stops in clutch situations. ESPN

• Turnovers were even in terms of possessions lost or fumbles — each team lost one fumble. Covers.com+1

• Special teams also made headlines: DeeJay Dallas returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, giving Arizona a spark and forcing Buffalo’s defense to stay alert. ESPN+2PFF+2

These moments — big sacks, long returns, forced turnovers — are embedded in the s and are among the decisive edges.

Situational Performance & Efficiency Metrics

Sometimes raw totals don’t tell the full story; efficiency and situational stats do. In reviewing Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats, these stand out:

These metrics show Arizona was efficient in some red-zone and goal-to-go situations, but Buffalo did more with their opportunities, especially when factoring in explosive drives and defensive plays.

Key Turning Points in the Game

The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats reveal several pivotal moments that shifted the game:

1. Halftime to Second-Half Transition
   Buffalo outscored Arizona substantially after the break. The adjustments paid off as their offense clicked and defense rose to the task. ESPN+2PFF+2

2. Greg Rousseau’s Strip-Sack
   In the third quarter, Rousseau’s pressure forced a fumble which Buffalo recovered at Arizona’s 21-yard line. That led to a touchdown pass soon after. That sequence changed momentum. ESPN+1

3. DeeJay Dallas’ Kickoff Return
   Arizona cut the lead late with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. That play forced Buffalo to respond and kept Arizona within striking distance. ESPN+1

4. Final Defensive Stand
   On fourth-and-7 from Buffalo’s 29 with around 26 seconds left, Buffalo’s defense broke up a pass to prevent Arizona from driving for the lead. That play essentially sealed the game. ESPN+1

Notable Players & Standouts

Looking at the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats, here are some of the standout performers:

• Josh Allen (BUF): Excellent dual scoring — both via the air and on the ground. Maintained composure under pressure.

• Greg Rousseau (BUF): Big defensive impact with three sacks and a forced fumble. His performance was arguably the difference in crucial moments.

• Keon Coleman (BUF): Among pass catchers, he had one of the more productive yardage and made himself a reliable option.

• James Conner (ARI): Solid in the running game, scored a rushing touchdown, and able to contribute in both run and pass.

• Kyler Murray (ARI): While his passing numbers were modest, his rushing yards and ability to extend plays mattered.

• Michael Wilson (ARI): Scored Arizona’s early touchdown, giving them initial momentum.

What the Stats Tell Us: Insights & Implications

From examining the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match, several insights emerge:

• Versatility matters: Region-spanning threats (QB pass + run + threats from receivers) force opposing defenses to cover more ground.

• Big plays and momentum swings weigh heavily in tight games: Long returns, strip sacks, and fourth-down defensive stands define outcomes in games where yardage totals are close.

• Efficiency in scoring zones: Buffalo’s red zone conversion was better; in close games this can be the edge.

• Defense must deliver in critical moments: Buffalo’s defensive unit, especially pass rush and coverage late, performed when it counted most.

The stat lines also suggest areas Arizona might want to improve — perhaps pass protection (since their QB was sacked several times), and creating more explosive plays in the second half.

Conclusion

The Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills match player stats from their September 2024 clash illustrate how no one factor wins a tight NFL game in isolation. Buffalo’s ability to combine a strong second half, big defensive plays, multi-dimensional QB performance, and special teams impact made the difference in their 34-28 win.

While Arizona showed fight — with efficient goal-to-go performance, flashes from their running backs, and momentum plays — the Bills’ depth in key moments carried them through. For fans analyzing player contributions or anticipating future matchups, this game reinforces that game-defining plays, even if few, often tilt results more than consistent moderate production.