Is this Arizona Cardinals’ reception on fake punt vs. Dallas Cowboys catch of the year?
The Arizona Cardinals are leading the Dallas Cowboys early Sunday and they’ve done it with some flair.
Running back Jonathan Ward pulled down a one-handed reception on a fake punt in the second quarter that helped set up a touchdown and 10-0 Cardinals lead at the half.
Ward came down with Chris Banjo’s 23-yard pass by pinning the ball with his right hand against the helmet of Cowboys defensive back Nahshon Wright. Wright, who was called for pass interference on the play, was not looking for the ball. As Ward came down with it, he was able to pin the ball against Wright’s helmet before securing it with both hands on the turf.
The play instantly blew up on social media with many calling it the catch of the season.
“That’s just Ward’s second reception of the season and that might be the best catch on the year in the NFL,” said FOX analyst Troy Aikman, who almost immediately referred to David Tyree’s “helmet catch” for the Giants in the Super Bowl in 2008.
“That’s just a crazy catch,” FOX’s Joe Buck said.
The Cowboys pulled to within 10-7 on Dak Prescott’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Michael Gallup just before the half. The Cards added a field goal to lead 13-7 at the half.
This story was originally published January 2, 2022 at 4:51 PM.
