Minshew and Allgeier Who Knew?



By Walter Mitchell

Thanks to ESPN for their play by play:

Cardinals 33-30 Cowboys (Nov 1, 2026) Play-by-Play - ESPN

When the Cowboys got the ball to start the second half, up 14-3, they went on a 15 play, 70 yard drive that consumed 8:23 of a 15:00 quarter. As it turned out, here were three of the most important plays the Cardinals' defense made in the game:

1-yd Run
8:00 - 3rd
T.Goodson up the middle to ARZ 16 for 1 yard (J.Sweat; A.Billings).
1st & 10 at ARI 17
4-yd Pass
7:23 - 3rd
(Shotgun) D.Prescott pass short right to C.Lamb to ARZ 12 for 4 yards (J.Gibbens; B.Baker).
2nd & 9 at ARI 16
Incompletion
6:44 - 3rd
(Shotgun) D.Prescott pass incomplete short left to R.Flournoy [Ma.Wilson].
3rd & 5 at ARI 12
Field Goal Good
6:37 - 3rd
B.Aubrey 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-T.Sieg, Holder-B.Anger.
4th & 5 at ARI 12

Credit the Cardinals' defense for keeping this a 2-score game.

After looking out of sync in the first half, the Cardinals' offense needed to quickly get on track. It was initally  looking good after Jacoby Brissett converted a 3rd and 4 with a 9-yard pass to Michael Wilson.

Then came what may have turned out to be the end of Jacoby Brissett's 20-game run as the Cardinals' QB1, when he was sacked twice in a row for a combined minus 26-yards. On third and 36 Tyler Allgeier ran a draw for 5-yards. 

Enter the Cardinals' defense once again for what was perhpas the most clutch series of the game:

1-yd Run
2:59 - 3rd
J.Williams left tackle to DAL 40 for 1 yard (A.Billings).
1st & 10 at DAL 39
0-yd Run
2:19 - 3rd
(Shotgun) J.Williams right end pushed ob at DAL 40 for no gain (K.Clark).
2nd & 9 at DAL 40
Incompletion
1:50 - 3rd
(Shotgun) D.Prescott pass incomplete deep right to G.Pickens (D.Burke).
3rd & 9 at DAL 40
Punt
1:44 - 3rd
B.Anger punts 30 yards to ARZ 30, Center-T.Sieg, downed by DAL-S.James.
4th & 9 at DAL 40
_____________________________________________________________________
Who knew right then after this timely 3 and out by the Cardinals' defense that the game and perhpas the entire season would change from this point forward in a blink of an eye?

After the game, here's what Mike LaFleur said about why he turned to QB Gardner Minshew:

"I thought we needed a spark. And it was a collective deal. You know, I need to be better about with our scheme and play calling. All of us need it."

Recap of Results:

Cardinals TD #1 ---- ---------------------------------------------- DAL 17 ARI 10

63-yd Touchdown Run
0:57 - 3rd
T.Allgeier up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
2nd & 3 at ARI 37

Cardinals' TD #2 ----------------------------------------------------- DAL 24 ARI 17

5-yd Touchdown Pass
10:47 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short left to T.Allgeier for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
3rd & Goal at DAL 5

Cardinals' TD #3 -------------------------------------- DAL 27 ARI 24

14-yd Touchdown Pass
2:11 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short right to T.McBride for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
1st & 10 at DAL 14


Cardinals' TD #4 -----------------------------------DAL 30 ARI 30

13-yd Touchdown Pass
0:06 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short middle to Mi.Wilson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is No Good, Wide Left, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
2nd & 10 at DAL 13




2-yd Run
8:29 - OT
(Shotgun) J.Williams left guard to DAL 31 for 2 yards (J.Sweat; A.Wingard).
1st & 10 at DAL 29
Incompletion
7:56 - OT
(Shotgun) D.Prescott pass incomplete short middle to C.Lamb (L.Collier).
2nd & 8 at DAL 31
Sack
7:53 - OT
(Shotgun) D.Prescott sacked at DAL 24 for -7 yards (J.Sweat).
3rd & 8 at DAL 31
Punt
7:13 - OT
B.Anger punts 52 yards to ARZ 24, Center-T.Sieg. D.Duvernay to ARZ 32 for 8 yards (J.Mitchell).
4th & 15 at DAL 24

8-yd Pass
7:02 - OT
G.Minshew pass short right to T.McBride to ARZ 40 for 8 yards (C.Durant).
1st & 10 at ARI 32
1-yd Run
6:23 - OT
T.Allgeier right tackle to ARZ 41 for 1 yard (R.Gary; M.Hooker).
2nd & 2 at ARI 40
17-yd Run
5:43 - OT
Mi.Wilson left end pushed ob at DAL 42 for 17 yards (S.James).
3rd & 1 at ARI 41
11-yd Run
5:13 - OT
T.Allgeier right tackle to DAL 31 for 11 yards (P.Locke).
1st & 10 at DAL 42
3-yd Run
4:34 - OT
T.Allgeier up the middle to DAL 28 for 3 yards (P.Locke; D.Overshown). DAL-P.Locke was injured during the play.
1st & 10 at DAL 31
2-yd Run
4:13 - OT
T.Allgeier up the middle to DAL 26 for 2 yards (M.Bell).
2nd & 7 at DAL 28
2-yd Run
3:34 - OT
T.Allgeier up the middle to DAL 24 for 2 yards (M.Bell; E.Garcia).
3rd & 5 at DAL 26

(2:58 - OT) Timeout #1 by DAL at 02:58.

Field Goal Good
2:53 - OT
C.Ryland 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
4th & 3 at DAL 24

Amazing Stats:
Tyler Allgeier
Tyler Allgeier
Cardinals, RB, #22
CAR
11
YDS
                147              
TD 
2


Amazing Scenarios:

RB Tyler Allgeier was the only RB available after Jeremiyah Love suffered a high ankle sprain and Bam Knight suffered a concussion.

“Have to compete,” Allgeier said. “Obviously, shoot, they end up going down, but then I’m really just preparing myself mentally. Anything can happen. You don’t wish anything upon anyone, but you just got to be ready when your name’s called or when your number’s called.”

QB Gardner Minshew hadn't gotten many 1st team reps during the week. He was running the scout team. And he hadn'tplayed a snap or thrown a pass since the Cardinals' 4th pre-season game at the end of August.

"You keep going, putting your best foot forward and you'll give yourself a chance. ”You just keep going,” Minshew said. “It’s not like (the missed extra point) was the first adversity we had. It’s 30-30, you got a chance to play these boys in overtime. Let’s go. Sign me up. … Just keep going, keep giving yourselves a chance, and we had a group of fighters today that was a lot of fun to go with.”


WR Michael Wilson was playing through two cracked ribs. He said after the game, "I think, for me, with my rib injury, it's just as long as the ribs aren't completely broken and puncturing my lungs, it's really a pain tolerance thing,"

"And, so, if we had everyone healthy, this organization's paying me a lot of money and," Wilson said. "So, if I can muster up the strength and go out to play even at 60 percent, I'm going to because this organization has changed my life and I don't believe in just taking, taking, taking. When I signed that contract, it was to put my body on the line for my teammates, for the coaches and for the organization. So, there's no way that I wasn't going to force it."


Walter B J Mitchell
@WBJMItch
Today we know why Mike LaFleur wanted Tyler Allgeier. My goodness. That performance was James Conner-esque.
Quote
Next Gen Stats
@NextGenStats
Tyler Allgeier gained 147 yards on 11 carries against the Cowboys in an overtime win, including runs of 63 and 52 yards. His +96 rushing yards over expected were the most by a Cardinals rusher in a game since at least 2018.




Walter B J Mitchell
@WBJMItch
Gardner Minshew in MLF's offense PS LV: 14/16, 101 yds, 6.7, 2 TD, 0 int., 1 sack, 132.6 RTG PS DAL: 19/23, 177 yds, 7.7, 0 TD, 1 int, 1 sack, 80.6 RTG PS GB 7/8, 140 yds, 14.0, 1 TD, 0 int., 1 sack, 155.8 RTG W8 DAL 17/23, 188 yds, 8.2, 3 TD, 0 int., 1 sack, 137.3 RTG More stats, analysis and PFF grades on Red Rain Podcast
947
Views

Darius Robinson's reaction to Michael Wilson's game=tying TD (this is precious!):

https://x.com/KSzn2021/status/2117734684411261411?a=1L_aI8JcKKDvPwsCmeA&s=20

Who knew?

1. That Tyler Allgeier would be the break away RB the Cardinals were hoping to get with Jeremiyah Love?

2. That Gardner Minshew would be able to make the Cardinals' offense click on all cylinders? 

3. That Michael Wilson clad all week in a yellow practice jersey would be able to be the stud WR of the game to the tune of outgaining CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined?

Michael Wilson ---> 8 catches for 11 yards and 1 TD

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens ---> 9 catches combined for 106 yards and 0 TDs

Gardner Minshew had become a forgotten man to all of the media, podcasters and fams who have been clamoring for Carson Beck to start. 

Now, are those media pundits, podcasters, Carson Beck fans  and "Tank" stans going to root against Gardner Minshew the way they rooted against Jacoby Brissett? 

Or will Minshew Mania galvanize the fans the  way #Bidwill Out has?

What do you think?



1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

Kickoff
1:09 - 4th
B.Aubrey kicks 62 yards from DAL 35 to ARZ 3. D.Duvernay to ARZ 20 for 17 yards (B.Spann-Ford; J.Thomas).
14-yd Pass
1:05 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short middle to T.Allgeier to ARZ 34 for 14 yards (D.Overshown).
1st & 10 at ARI 20
Incompletion
0:51 - 4th
(No Huddle) G.Minshew spiked the ball to stop the clock.
1st & 10 at ARI 34
21-yd Pass
0:50 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass deep right to Mi.Wilson to DAL 45 for 21 yards (D.Bland).
2nd & 10 at ARI 34
Incompletion
0:37 - 4th
G.Minshew spiked the ball to stop the clock.
1st & 10 at DAL 45
5-yd Pass
0:36 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short right to T.Allgeier pushed ob at DAL 40 for 5 yards (S.James).
2nd & 10 at DAL 45
27-yd Pass
0:27 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass deep right to Mi.Wilson to DAL 13 for 27 yards (D.Bland).
3rd & 5 at DAL 40
Incompletion
0:11 - 4th
(No Huddle) G.Minshew spiked the ball to stop the clock.
1st & 10 at DAL 13
13-yd Touchdown Pass
0:06 - 4th
(Shotgun) G.Minshew pass short middle to Mi.Wilson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Ryland extra point is No Good, Wide Left, Center-C.Kreiter, Holder-B.Gillikin.
2nd & 10 at DAL 13




Comments

  1. Since 61November 4, 2026 at 10:07 AM

    Minshew and Allgeier Who Knew?
    Nobody. Now does it travel?

    The Seahawks are desperate — four losses in six games, blown out 34-17 by Chicago Monday night, their first multi-score loss all year. They’ve also won 10 straight against us and beat us 31-7 in Week 2.
    Short week? They played Monday, we played Sunday — in overtime, on the road. One prep day decides nothing but the injuries do-Love is on IR four games minimum. Conner still isn’t cleared. Bourne’s likely done for the year. Knight’s in concussion protocol. Wilson is playing on two broken ribs. Allgeier has a bad toe and is one of two healthy backs on the roster — against a Seattle front allowing 3.8 a carry to running backs.
    Cards get 11.5. Give me Minshew, Allgeier and McBride, 23-17 Seattle, Cards cover. I'll take that along with a fresh start.
    A big issue no one is talking about is the lousy field position the offense is getting because of the worst punter in the entire League. Only the Cardinals-not even auditioning others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kyle LedbetterNovember 4, 2026 at 10:10 AM

      I'm starting to feel less and less good about Wilson playing on Sunday. Hopefully he can still be effective. As for McBride, he's going to be the safety blanket all game long for this offense

      Delete
  2. Kyle LedbetterNovember 4, 2026 at 10:08 AM

    Allgeier posted the most yards of offense by a Cardinals running back (191) since James Conner had 200+ during the last game of the 2023 season against the Seattle Seahawks. Won NFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK for the first time

    Without question the career game for Allgeier. Going to be hard for him to have a better game at any point in his entire career

    ReplyDelete
  3. JethroNovember 4, 2026 at 10:15 AM

    The Hawks have allowed only 3.5 YPC second lowest in the NFL so I'm just hoping Allgeier has half as many yards on the ground as he did against the Cowboys(147 yards). The Hawks have also allowed the 3rd lowest in passing yards. Both the Cards and Hawks are tied at 1914 passing yards on offense and the Cards are slightly better at rushing yards per carry. That said, the Hawks are like a wounded animal with their backs to the wall so they're dangerous. The Cards have a new X Factor in Uncle Rico but starting against a fresh Seattle D will stifle some of that energy a little but I think(hope) the game will be closer than the 11-point spread.

    Just a thought. If the Cards get destroyed in Seattle, maybe LaFleur should think about starting JB in the first half and starting Minshew in the second half. I know it would never happen, but Minshew is so good coming off the bench and JB is so good at wearing out defenses. Defenses would have to prepare for both QBs which would cause a lot of problems plus, they're both veteran career backup team player QBs who just want to win.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Since 61November 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM

    Jacobi a Raven. Wish him luck and I hope we get at least a 5th for him and someone besides Monty does something with it.

    ReplyDelete

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