In the competitive world of the NFL, matchups between the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats draw serious attention—not just for the final score, but for the individual performances that drive those outcomes. In this comprehensive article, we analyse the player stats from a recent showdown between the Cardinals and Bills, focusing on offensive output, defensive impact, special teams contributions, and what these statistics say about each team’s direction. Throughout, we dive into who stood out, who under-performed, and how player stats influenced the flow and result of this matchup.
Game Context & Overall Team Stats
In the September 8 2024 game, the Buffalo Bills edged the Arizona Cardinals 34–28 in an opener that featured big plays, turnovers, and momentum swings.
From a team-stat perspective:
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The Cardinals ran 60 plays for 270 total yards, while the Bills ran 58 plays for 352 total yards.
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Arizona completed 21 of 31 passes for 146 yards (4.2 yards per attempt), and rushed 25 times for 124 yards (5.0 yards per carry).
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Buffalo completed 18 of 23 passes for 222 yards (8.9 yards per attempt), and rushed 33 times for 130 yards (3.9 yards per carry).
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Both teams lost one fumble; neither threw an interception.Â
These kinds of metrics set the stage for our deeper dive into individual player output.
Quarterback & Offensive Leaders
Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen
Josh Allen produced a standout performance. According to multiple reports, he completed 18 of 23 passes for around 232 yards, threw two touchdown passes, and added two rushing touchdowns. His dual-threat capability proved vital in rallying Buffalo from a deficit.
Allen’s rushing contributions (he ran for approximately 39 yards) added another dimension to the Bills’ offense. His passing efficiency (8.9 yards per attempt) helped the Bills manage drives effectively.
Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ offense posted more modest numbers: 21 completions on 31 attempts for 162 yards, one passing touchdown, along with 57 rushing yards on five carries.  The 4.2 yards per pass attempt figure for Arizona also indicates their passing game was constrained.
While Murray provided a dual-threat challenge, his statistical output in this matchup lagged behind Allen’s, which impacted Arizona’s ability to control the game flow.
Wide Receivers & Skill Position Contributors
Buffalo’s receiving corps benefitted from Allen’s performance with key touchdown receptions to Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir. The exact yardage totals for those specific players may vary by source, but their scoring contributions were crucial.
For the Cardinals, wide receiver rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. caught only one pass for 4 yards in his debut versus Buffalo. That quiet beginning underlines the challenge Arizona faced in generating explosive plays in the passing game.
Running backs also played distinct roles: James Conner for Arizona recorded a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The Bills’ rushing attack compiled 130 yards overall, but individual breakout contributors were less emphasized in available stats; the focus was more on Allen’s dual-threat output.
Defensive & Special Teams Impact
Buffalo Bills Defense
One of the pivotal performances came from Greg Rousseau of the Bills, who registered three sacks and forced a fumble, according to film-review sources. That kind of pressure helped stall Arizona’s offense and swing momentum.
The Bills recorded two sacks for 10 yards lost, per game stats. Additionally, their pass defense limited the Cardinals’ passing yards to 146 and held them to 4.2 yards per attempt, a strong indication of defensive success.
Arizona Cardinals Defense & Special Teams
Arizona’s defense allowed 222 passing yards and 130 rushing yards – moderate totals, but the problem was that the Bills achieved high efficiency (6.1 yards per play).
On special teams, the Cardinals produced a highlight: a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by DeeJay Dallas in the fourth quarter. While that play brought Arizona within striking distance, the underlying stats on offense and defense still tilted toward Buffalo.
Momentum Shifts & Key Plays
Analyzing player stats is one part, but connecting those numbers to game momentum is where we see the narrative. Buffalo trailed 17–10 at halftime but used a surge in the third quarter—highlighted by Allen’s touchdown pass to Mack Hollins and then to Shakir—to take the lead.
The forced fumble by Greg Rousseau at a pivotal moment set up one of those scoring drives. On the flip side, Arizona’s offense stagnated in crucial stretches; their passing game was held to 4.2 yards per attempt and overall only 270 total yards.
Turnovers and special-teams scores nearly shifted the balance—Dallas’ kickoff return plus the two-point conversion brought Arizona within three—but the Bills’ ability to answer back, thanks largely to Allen’s leadership and the offense’s stats, sealed the outcome.
Player Stats & What They Reveal
Efficiency Stats
When a quarterback throws for 8.9 yards per attempt (Buffalo) versus 4.2 (Arizona) that tells us a clear story: the Bills’ passing offense was operating at a higher level of efficiency.
Rushing gains: Arizona’s 124 yards on 25 attempts (5.0 yards per carry) actually slightly outdid Buffalo’s 130 on 33 attempts (3.9 yards per carry). But rushing alone wasn’t enough, because Buffalo paired decent ground production with an explosive passing game.
Highlight Plays
Allen’s two rushing touchdowns added depth to his stat line and forced Arizona to defend multiple threats. The wide receiver touchdowns (Hollins & Shakir) rewarded the efficient passing.
Arizona’s 3-yard rushing touchdown by Conner and Dallas’ kickoff return were big plays, but they came in reaction rather than control of the game. Harrison Jr’s minimal statistical debut underlines Arizona’s youth and inexperience at certain positions.
Defensive Impacts
Rousseau’s three sacks and fumble highlight how individual defensive performance can shift a contest. The Cardinals’ inability to create turnovers or generate destructive plays (at least per the available stat summaries) helped the Bills maintain control.
Thus, when we combine player stats with game flow, a consistent pattern emerges: the Bills produced more efficient offense and disruptive defense; the Cardinals showed flashes but lacked consistency in key areas.
What This Means for Both Teams Moving Forward
For Buffalo: their ability to get big performances from their quarterback (Allen) and defensive standouts (Rousseau) bodes well. When you see player stats numbering like this—dual threat quarterback, high yards per pass attempt, disruptive defensive plays—you have the components of a winning recipe.
For Arizona: the rushing numbers were respectable, but the passing game under-performed relative to Buffalo’s standard. The minimal output from a top rookie receiver (Marvin Harrison Jr.) suggests they may need more time or development. The defense gave up too many efficient yards and didn’t force enough turnovers or derail drives consistently. Their special teams score was positive, but the rest of the game lagged behind.
From a player-stats vantage point, Arizona must improve pass-efficiency, reduce yields on defense, and develop emerging contributors. Buffalo, conversely, appears to be building around their key players and leveraging them well in high-leverage moments.
Conclusion
In the matchup between the Arizona Cardinals vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats, the individual player statistics tell a compelling story: Buffalo’s offense was efficient and explosive through both air and ground, their defense delivered impactful plays, and their key players stepped up when it mattered. Meanwhile, Arizona possessed pieces of promise – solid rushing numbers, a timely special-teams score – but lacked the consistency and impact in passing and defense to overtake the opponent.
For fans, analysts, and fantasy participants alike, these player stats offer insight into where both teams stand heading forward. The Bills look like a team with momentum and the statistical backbone to back it; the Cardinals are in a building phase, with room to improve and key contributors to develop.
We hope this detailed breakdown gives you a full understanding of the matchup, the player-level performances, and what they signal for both franchises.
FAQ
Q: Which player had the most total touchdowns in the game?
A: Josh Allen recorded two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, making him the leader in total touchdowns in the game.
Q: How did the rushing games compare between the two teams?
A: The Cardinals rushed 25 times for 124 yards (5.0 yards per carry) whereas the Bills rushed 33 times for 130 yards (3.9 yards per carry).
Q: Did any young players make a significant statistical impact?
A: Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. recorded only one catch for four yards, reflecting a minimal statistical impact in this particular game.
Q: Which defensive player stood out in the matchup?
A: Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau stood out with three sacks and a forced fumble, playing a key role in shifting momentum.
Q: What was the key stat that indicated Buffalo’s passing game efficiency?
A: Buffalo averaging 8.9 yards per passing attempt versus Arizona’s 4.2 yards per attempt clearly shows a higher efficiency in Buffalo’s passing game.
