TEMPE — In the Arizona Cardinals’ 28-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins, rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. recorded a 100-yard performance for the first time since Week 2.
Additionally, after causing the majority of his damage in the first quarter of games before Sunday’s victory, he finally put together a second half that was worthy of being written about.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing attributed it to Marv simply being Marv, even though it was a welcome surprise to Cardinals supporters.
Additionally, 40% of his routes came out of the slot, which is another single-game high for the rookie, as ESPN’s Benjamin Solak noted.
To put it simply, there are advantages to moving about your flexible WR1, getting him engaged late, and opening up his route tree.
Harrison told reporters after the game, “I just try to go out there and make plays when the ball comes my way.” “I am aware of major occasions and large crises… I make an effort to be a reliable source for our plays. I try my hardest to get open and touch the ball whenever there is a two-minute drill or when we need to make a big play.
It will be intriguing to watch how Petzing uses the rookie against a Chicago Bears team that was completely destroyed on the outside by Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, even though the Cardinals seemed to uncover something in Harrison’s performance on Sunday.
With five of eight targets caught for 125 yards, Jayden Daniels’ favorite target performed all of his work out wide.
Despite their late-game gaffes, Chicago still has some excellent secondary players in Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson.
Harrison is now up to 411 yards and five touchdowns on 26 catches (50 targets) after his most recent performance.
At the moment, the wide receiver leads Arizona pass catchers in touchdowns.
He is third in receptions and second in yards behind tight end Trey McBride (446), who is fresh off a strong day of his own in Miami.
Eight games into the season, Harrison has more catches than just McBride (42) and second-year pro Michael Wilson (27).
Harrison’s receiving yards are sufficient for 25th place in the NFL, while his touchdown total is tied for fourth place overall.
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars is ahead of his peers among rookie pass catchers with 573 yards and five touchdowns. Malik Nabers, a wide receiver for the New York Giants, has reached 498 yards and three touchdowns.