After a quiet NFL career debut in Week 1, rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. scored touchdowns on the Arizona Cardinals’ first two possessions in their Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
After the Rams failed to convert a 4th-and-2 on their opening possession, the Cardinals took over and capped a six-play, 60-yard drive with a 23-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Harrison on a post pattern over Tre’Davious White.
The Rams lost three and punted on their next drive. Greg Dortch returned the ball 17 yards to the Los Angeles 40-yard line. And Arizona needed just one play after that to take a 14-0 lead, thanks to Murray connecting with Harrison again.
This time, it was a 60-yard score with Harrison beating the Rams’ secondary on a deep crossing route, released by a run fake to James Conner and Murray rolling to the right.
Harrison mixed in a 15-yard reception and a 32-yard catch to finish the first quarter with four receptions (on five targets) for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
That’s a significant improvement from Harrison’s performance in Week 1, when he caught a 4-yard pass in a 34-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The rookie was targeted just three times in that game.
So whether it’s a change in strategy or a different defensive scheme by the Rams, Harrison has made the kind of impact expected when Arizona selected him No. 4 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
