The Arizona Cardinals put up a season-high 400 yards in Sunday’s 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and the offense looked different with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett in there for injured starter Kyler Murray.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear that Murray is the starting quarterback of the Cardinals, who play the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 before the bye. Murray might miss a second game due to a foot sprain, according to reports, which would give Brissett another opportunity. Gannon said once Murray is heathy, he will play.
It was one start against a quality opponent, albeit one whose top cornerback bizarrely suffered a concussion pregame. Brissett, though, successfully threw the ball downfield more often even with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. suffering a concussion in the first half. Arizona scored 17 points in the second half and was a controversial no-call in the end zone away from adding seven more.
Gannon told reporters on Monday that there were several factors that led to the offensive differences, including the looks Indianapolis’ defense gave and the game plan being tailored to Brissett’s skillset.
How was Sunday different under Brissett exactly? Let’s look into the numbers:
By the numbers: How Cardinals’ passing offense differed with Jacoby Brissett
320 yards and 2 TDs
Starting with the basics, Brissett finished the game 27-for-44 with 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The last time Murray threw for 320 yards and multiple touchdowns in the same game was Oct. 30, 2022, before his ACL tear later that season. The last time he attempted 44 passes was last December.
Arizona struggled to run the ball efficiently (3.7 yards per carry) as a team with injuries decimating the running backs room, instead leaning on the passing game. Their tight ends group has also taken injury hits, changing the complexion of the roster.
20+ passing yards
Brissett completed seven throws that gained at least 20 yards on Sunday. That matched Murray’s season output in 110 attempts.
Explosive plays have been lacking for the Cardinals this season, who rank bottom 10 in both 20-yard plays and 40-yard plays this season.
Brissett completed passes for 26, 21, 20, 21, 24, 24 and 30 yards, with the latter connection to Michael Wilson setting up the Cardinals in the red zone on their final possession.
6.8 completed air yards
Down-to-down, the Cardinals were more aggressive throwing the ball downfield. Whether that’s because the play-calling changed or Brissett was more aggressive in existing schemes is notable, and that’s information the Cardinals have to analyze.
Murray is fourth-to-last in the NFL this year in terms of average completed air yards at 3.8, according to Next Gen Stats.
He ranks ahead of only Aaron Rodgers, Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel on a list of 39 players with at least 45 attempts. Murray is in the same spot when it comes to average intended air yards at six, ahead of Rodgers, Gabriel and Jets backup Tyrod Taylor.
Brissett, meanwhile, ranked sixth in both metrics during Week 6 (pending Monday Night Football) at 6.8 completed air yards and 8.7 intended air yards on average.
He hung in the pocket and held onto the ball longer (3.29 seconds on average compared to Murray’s 2.68 seconds), a testament to pocket presence and the offensive line.
Play-action, under center increases
According to Pro Football Focus, Brissett went 12-for-18 on play-action passes with a touchdown and an interception. This season, Murray has attempted 34 passes in play-action, just under seven per game. Murray is completing 70.6% of his play-action throws for 743 yards and a touchdown (no interceptions).
Another change in scheme, the Cardinals went under center nearly 50% of the time, compared to 21.7%, according to Underdog’s Josh Norris.
with Jacoby Brissett at QB, the Cardinals went under center on 49.3% of offensive snaps
Weeks 1-5, that number was at 21.7% pic.twitter.com/V8G6eY032n
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 13, 2025
Under pressure
When pressured, Brissett completed 5 of 19 throws for 90 yards, getting sacked twice, according to PFF. When kept clean, Brissett was 22-for-25 with 230 yards.
Murray has completed 50% of his throws while facing pressure this year for 219 yards and 16 sacks. He completes 74% of his passes when kept clean.
19 rush yards
Brissett took off for 19 rushing yards, as Sunday was the first game since Dec. 15, 2024, when Arizona’s quarterback did not cross 20 rushing yards. Murray’s season low is 25, as he presents a different dynamic as a scrambler who can escape pressure.
Spreading the ball around
McBride, Wilson and wide receiver Zay Jones each set season highs for receptions.
McBride caught eight passes (11 targets), Jones hauled in five (eight targets) and Wilson four (five targets), as eight Cardinals targets pulled in at least one reception.
The Cardinals had not received much production out of wide receivers this season.
Harrison’s injury was a factor in the added looks for Jones and Wilson, as were the injuries along Indianapolis’ secondary, but Brissett spread the ball around to get previously quiet weapons involved.
Trey McFlyyy
?: FOX pic.twitter.com/GFJVBOGpPc
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 12, 2025
Third downs
Arizona on Sunday finished 9-for-14 on third downs. It was previously 27-for-68.
1 game
The Cardinals have been statistically better over the past three seasons with Murray playing quarterback than without him. Over the past three seasons, Arizona’s 0.04 EPA (expected points added) per play on offense ranks ninth in the NFL, according to The Athletic’s Mike Sando. In 10 games without him, its -0.11 EPA per play is 29th — albeit with some backups who were nowhere near Brissett’s level.
There’s no doubt the Cardinals’ offense was more effective on Sunday.
Brissett may have bought the team more time to get Murray healthy if he is on the fence, but there is no crowning him the starter after one game.
Are there lessons to learn from Brissett’s successes on Sunday for this offense to adopt under Murray? That is another important question.
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