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HIGHLIGHTS: Cardinals Fall Short in Upset Bid vs Bills

The Arizona Cardinals nearly pulled off the upset over the Buffalo Bills.

Donnie Druin

Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Arizona Cardinals drop to 0-1 on the season after narrowly upsetting the favored Buffalo Bills in Week 1.

Recap:

First Quarter

It was football weather in Buffalo, as the game-time temperature was 60 degrees with winds as high as 19 MPH.

The Cardinals received the opening kickoff (after winning the toss) and leaned on running back James Conner early, moving the ball down the field on the first six plays through Pitt product.

Facing a third-and-13 deep in Buffalo territory, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray was hit late after sliding and Arizona had their drive extended, setting the team up for a first-and-goal.

Three plays later, WR Michael Wilson gave Arizona their first touchdown.

The Cardinals held the ball for seven minutes on their opening drive before scoring.

AZ 7, BUF 0

A strong return from the Bills saw Josh Allen and co. take over in Arizona territory.

Three plays later, Buffalo was already in the red zone - though Allen was strip-sacked from behind by Roy Lopez with the ball recovered by Justin Jones to give the Cardinals possession at their own 29-yard line.

Facing another third down, a 24-yard dump-off to backup RB Emari Demercado extended Arizona's second drive.

Kicker Matt Prater will be set up for a short field goal attempt to begin the second quarter as the Cardinals face a fourth-and-4.

Second Quarter

Prater's 29-yard field goal was good to push Arizona's lead to double digits.

AZ 10, BUF 0

The Bills did once again march down the field thanks to strong work from James Cook, and though Allen drew their first touchdown via his legs, a facemask penalty on their OL cancelled the play and pushed the Bills back to the 19-yard line for a third-and-goal, forcing Buffalo to settle for a field goal.

AZ 10, BUF 3

Marvin Harrison Jr. finally put his name on the box score with his first reception on Arizona's third drive.

Methodically, the Cardinals again marched down the field - and on their third drive, Arizona found their third score via a Conner rushing touchdown with just under three minutes to go in the first half.

AZ 17, BUF 3

The Bills - with seconds remaining - saw Allen sneak into the end zone on an option play to give Buffalo their first touchdown of the season.

AZ 17, BUF 10

The Bills will receive the ball to begin the third quarter.

Third Quarter

Whatever halftime talk was given to the Cardinals' defense didn't work, as Allen and the rest of Buffalo's offense picked up right where they left off, as Mack Hollins beat Jalen Thompson on a short post route to level the score at 17-17.

AZ 17, BUF 17

The Cardinals went three-and-out thanks to Murray being sacked for the first time all day, giving Buffalo the ball back with opportunity to take their first lead of the game.

Allen missed a WIDE open Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Buffalo's punt unit came on for the first time, matching Arizona's three-and-out effort on the previous drive.

Murray - on the next drive - was strip-sacked with the Bills recovering and retaining possession near the AZ 20 with ample opportunity to take the lead.

The Cardinals did good defensively to force a fourth-and-short, though Allen's tush-push effort moved the chains.

Shortly after, the Cardinals lost their lead thanks to a Khalil Shakir touchdown.

BUF 24, AZ 17

Facing another third down, Murray again was forced to use his legs, this time breaking out of the pocket for a 29-yard run to keep the chains moving.

The next play, Conner touted the rock for another 20 yards to push Arizona inside the BUF 20.

Arizona takes over deep in Bills territory to begin the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Conner was stuffed on third and fourth down by Buffalo's defense, forcing another Prater field goal for Arizona - which was good to cut the Bills' lead.

BUF 24, AZ 20

Looking to be aggressive and facing a fourth-and-2 at the AZ 37, Allen scrambled for a first to keep the chains (and clock) moving.

Plays later, Allen hurdled Budda Baker for six, extending Buffalo's lead to double digits.

BUF 31, AZ 20

The Cardinals wasted no time in their response, as DeeJay Dallas returned the following kickoff for a touchdown while Conner punched in the two-point conversion to make it a field goal game.

BUF 31, AZ 28

After forcing a Bills punt, Murray and the Cardinals offense took the field with just over five minutes left - though Murray was sacked yet again to end a drive.

Buffalo was forced to trot Tyler Bass out for a 39-yard field goal to extend Buffalo's lead with two minutes to go.

BUF 34, AZ 28

With all three timeouts left, Buffalo's kick went out of bounds, giving Arizona the ball at the 40.

Murray and co. ultimately couldn't deliver on their two-minute drill, turning the ball over on downs and seeing the Bills kneel for the W.

The Cardinals will be back at home in Week 2 as they host the Los Angeles Rams.

Make sure to bookmark Cardinals On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for All Cardinals and Inside The Suns. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with Fan Nation since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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