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Arizona Cardinals smash Cleveland Browns despite head coach absence
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Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Ohio, U.S., October 17, 2021. /CFP

Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Ohio, U.S., October 17, 2021. /CFP

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Cleveland Browns 37-14 at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, claiming their sixth straight win and carrying on the team's undefeated record (6-0).

The Cardinals' head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Cam Turner missed this game after testing positive for COVID-19, but the Cardinals were operating smoothly on both offense and defense.

Quarterback (QB) Kyler Murry was 20-30 in passing for 229 yards and led to four touchdowns (TDs), connecting with three teammates: A.J. Green (1), Christian Kirk (1) and DeAndre Hopkins (2).

James Corner and Chase Edmonds contributed 117 rushing yards, including a 40-yard run for Edmonds for a check.

Quarterback Kyler Murray (#1) of the Arizona Cardinals passes in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium, October 17, 2021. /CFP

Quarterback Kyler Murray (#1) of the Arizona Cardinals passes in the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium, October 17, 2021. /CFP

"I think once we got the news, it was just an opportunity. Kind of exciting to go prove ourselves on the road against a great team. I think you could feel the energy before the game," said Murray after the game.

Assistant wide receivers coach Spencer Whipple took the role of talking to Murray and calling the plays for the Cardinals. "We made him right. Whenever he called it aggressively, we had all the faith. We were behind him; regardless of what he called it we're gonna go out there and execute," said Murray of Whipple.

"It was different in the sense of obviously Kliff not being on the sideline. For me, when I was looking at the sideline and I did not see Kliff and it was definitely odd. But like I said, there were so many people who stepped up. In regards to how the game was called the game plan is the game plan. We all have a good feel in certain situations on what play is going to be called, and, obviously Kliff develops that and we practice it all week. So, Spencer did a good job of sticking to it, but also being able to change on the fly," said Kirk.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers shared the head coach duty. "It was really seamless," said Joseph.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield (C) of the Cleveland Browns passes in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium, October 17, 2021. /CFP

Quarterback Baker Mayfield (C) of the Cleveland Browns passes in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium, October 17, 2021. /CFP

The Browns failed to release the power of their aggressive defense at home on Sunday. Myles Garrett only had one sack and one tackle for loss. He and his teammates failed to intercept any pass by Murray.

Without their usual defensive power, the Browns had to count on their offense which was not so reliable. Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 28 passes for 234 yards. He found Donovan Peoples-Jones twice for two TDs but also allowed one interception.

The Browns are now 3-3, ranking third in the American Football Conference North Division.

Other games on Sunday (away teams come first):

Miami Dolphins 20-23 Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs 31-13 Washington Football Team

Los Angeles Rams 38-11 New York Giants

Houston Texans 3-31 Indianapolis Colts

Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers 24-14 Chicago Bears

Los Angeles Chargers 6-34 Baltimore Ravens

Minnesota Vikings 34-28 Carolina Panthers

Las Vegans Raiders 34-24 Denver Broncos

Dallas Cowboys 35-29 New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks 20-23 Pittsburgh Steelers

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