“Cardinals Stun Buffalo with Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins” (2025)
In one of the most jaw-dropping moments in NFL history, the Arizona Cardinals pulled off an improbable victory over the Buffalo Bills on a last-second Hail Mary pass to DeAndre Hopkins, securing a dramatic 32- yard touchdown as time expired. The thrilling finish not only gave the Cardinals a stunning 29-26 victory, but it also reaffirmed why Hopkins is considered one of the best wide receivers of his generation and further cemented Arizona’s place in NFL lore.
The Stage Is Set: A Battle Between Playoff Contenders
The game took place during Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season, and both teams entered the matchup with high stakes. The Buffalo Bills, led by their star quarterback Josh Allen, were riding high at 6-3 and fighting for position in the competitive AFC East. On the other side, the Arizona Cardinals, led by quarterback Kyler Murray, had clawed their way back into playoff contention after a slow start to the season. Both teams were in desperate need of a win, making the stakes even higher for both.
The Cardinals’ offense, which had been explosive at times but inconsistent at others, was looking for a statement win. Buffalo’s defense, ranked among the top in the league, was tasked with shutting down Kyler Murray’s dynamic playmaking ability. The game had lived up to the hype through four quarters of high-intensity football, with each team taking turns with the lead. But it was the final 20 seconds of the game that would leave fans speechless.
A Back-and-Forth Game
Throughout the game, both teams had delivered thrilling plays. Kyler Murray threw two touchdowns to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and one to Zach Ertz, showing flashes of his electric playmaking ability. Meanwhile, Josh Allen threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with his go-to wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a beautiful 75-yard bomb in the third quarter that had temporarily given the Bills the lead.
With just under two minutes remaining, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 26-22 after a field goal from Buffalo’s kicker Tyler Bass. Murray, showing his trademark poise under pressure, orchestrated a quick-paced drive, utilizing both his legs and arm to move the ball into field goal range. With 20 seconds left on the clock, the Cardinals were just outside the red zone, needing a touchdown to win the game.
The Bills’ defense, which had bent but not broken throughout the game, was now in full “prevent” mode, doing everything in their power to prevent a big play from Arizona. Murray completed a short pass to running back James Conner, who was stopped just shy of the goal line. On the very next play, with 15 seconds left, Murray dropped back to pass, but was forced to scramble as the Bills’ pass rush came alive. He managed to get outside the pocket, and in a last-ditch effort to make something happen, he launched a deep ball downfield toward the end zone.
The Legendary Hail Mary
With mere seconds remaining and the clock ticking down, Kyler Murray’s Hail Mary attempt traveled 50 yards in the air, heading directly toward DeAndre Hopkins, who was double-teamed by Buffalo cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Kyrie Irving, both known for their shutdown coverage. As the ball soared toward the end zone, time seemed to slow down. Hopkins, who had already made several jaw-dropping catches during the game, looked to make one of the greatest plays of his career.
With three defenders around him, Hopkins somehow managed to elevate above them, extending his arms in a perfectly timed jump. Using all of his incredible hand-eye coordination and body control, Hopkins snatched the ball from the air with his right hand, pulling it in while maintaining his balance and landing in the end zone. The stadium erupted in disbelief as the referee signaled a touchdown.
Murray, who had been watching from behind, raised his arms in celebration, knowing his Hail Mary had connected with one of the NFL’s most reliable and spectacular receivers. The crowd at State Farm Stadium—and millions of viewers watching on television—could hardly believe what they had just witnessed. In a moment of sheer magic, the Arizona Cardinals had stunned the Buffalo Bills with one of the most improbable finishes in NFL history.
Hopkins’ Incredible Catch
The catch, which would go down as one of the most iconic plays in the history of the NFL, was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Hopkins was surrounded by multiple defenders. He managed to out-leap all of them and came down with the ball in what appeared to be a flawless display of concentration and athleticism.
“That’s what DeAndre Hopkins does,” said Kyler Murray after the game. “He’s the best receiver in the league, and when you need him to make a play, he does it. I just put the ball up and let him do what he does best. He’s a game-changer.”
For Hopkins, the play was a reflection of his unique skill set. His incredible ability to win contested catches, paired with his impeccable hand strength and focus, had made him one of the league’s elite wide receivers. “When I saw the ball coming, I knew I had to get it,” Hopkins said after the game. “It was a moment where I had to do whatever it took to bring it down, and I’m glad I could make that play for my team.”
The Aftermath: A Win for the Ages
With the extra point, the Cardinals took a 29-26 lead with no time left on the clock, sending the Bills home with a crushing defeat. Arizona’s win was one of the most exhilarating moments of the season, and the Hail Mary would be remembered as one of the greatest plays in NFL history.
The victory was a massive boost to the Cardinals’ playoff aspirations, improving their record to 6-4 and keeping them firmly in the hunt for a wild card spot in the NFC. For the Bills, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, as they had led the game for much of the second half, only to see it slip away in a dramatic fashion.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon, who had been working to establish a more balanced and disciplined team in Arizona, was elated after the game. “You can’t draw it up any better than that,” Gannon said. “It’s a testament to the grit and determination of our guys. We never gave up, and we believed in each other right until the very end.”
A Play That Will Be Remembered
In the years to come, this Hail Mary would become a defining moment for both the Arizona Cardinals and DeAndre Hopkins. As the NFL continued to evolve, fans would look back at the play as an example of what makes football so captivating—where anything can happen in the blink of an eye, and legends are made in the most unexpected of ways.
