In real time, no one really noticed. And then Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray watched the video.
Yes, the Cardinals' first touchdown of the season was amazing from a pure talent standpoint, with Murray breaking out of the pocket away from the rush to buy enough time for DeAndre Hopkins to work the back of the end zone and make a leaping catch and still get his two feet in. But Kingsbury watched the video later – and actually became more impressed than he already had been.
"On the first touchdown, he paused in the back of the end zone and had the guy run into him, then accelerated to create separation," Kingsbury said. "Just some Jedi-type stuff that I've never seen anything like it. He looks back, stops, and then the guy pushes him forward and creates separation and catches a touchdown. He just has a great feel for getting open."
It wasn't the only fantastic move Hopkins made. He also made what Kingsbury called an “unbelievable” catch and pivot on a 17-yard touchdown. That, Murray said, didn't surprise him. The QB said he put it on Hop's back shoulder because that's where Hop would've wanted it.
"He's just a smart football player, understands leverage," Murray said.
But the start-and-stop move? That did catch Kyler's attention – at least, after the fact.
"I didn't even see the one where he was rolling out and he kind of stopped and backed up into it, that was crazy," Murray said. "I didn't see it on the field. But once I watched it, that was pretty smart."