Kingsbury expects best game of Murray's career vs. Rams

While there are high expectations for Kyle Murray's playoff debut against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury believes his quarterback will live up to the hype.

"I think this is what he's been waiting for for three years," Kingsbury said Wednesday, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN. "He's a guy who wants to be playing for something and knows he's playing for something.

"This is his first shot at the playoffs, and I expect him to probably play the best game of his career. I know he's going to give it everything he's got."

Murray, the first overall pick in 2019, went 13-18-1 in his first two NFL seasons. This campaign, he helped make Arizona one of the league's most competitive teams, posting a 9-5 record as a starter and helping it clinch its first playoff berth since 2015.

"It's been a grind, three years of trying to build this thing to get into the playoffs, day in and day out - a lot of ups and downs," Kingsbury added. "I know he's just looking forward to this opportunity and he'll give everything he's got."

Murray was an early MVP favorite after starting the campaign with a 7-1 run. However, the 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury in Week 8 that sidelined him for three games. His production hasn't been the same since:

The Cardinals and Rams split their regular-season series. Murray tossed two touchdowns with no interceptions in their Week 4 meeting before struggling in Week 14 with no touchdowns and two picks.

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