The Cardinals might be the best 3-9-0 club in the league

The Arizona Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention after last Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Another close one, yet another “L” in the standings.

RELATED: CARDINAL OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS

That’s just it. Another close game that they couldn’t win. The 2025 season is full of these types of contests. Have the late lead, then poof! It’s gone, and the stadium clean-up crew starts to get busy. Except for this game, the Cardinals never had the lead.

Sunday’s loss against the Bucs was a prime example. The Cardinals outgained their opponent but couldn’t find a way to win.

22 first downs to Tampa’s 13. 386 total yards to the Buccaneers 279. 6.3 yards average per play versus 4.9 yards. Went 2-2 in the Red Zone while the home team went 2-4. 40 pass attempts to the Bucs 28.

Down 20-10, Arizona’s offense took control of the ball at its own 21-yard line with 8:58 left in the game. Seven plays were for positive yardage, including a key Brissett scramble for a first down, and suddenly the Cardinals were knocking on the door at the Tampa Bay 15.

QB Jacoby Brissett was having a great game. He then missed WR Michael Wilson. Second-and-10. TE Trey McBride ran a great route to which Brissett threw a dart for the touchdown. Nine plays, 73 yards, just four minutes of clock used. And the lead was cut to 20-17.

Now, it was up to the defense to get the ball back.

After the Chad Ryland kickoff, Tampa began on its own 21. Two short passes and a four-yard run got a first down. 2:42 left in the game. LB Baron Browning and rookie LB Cody Simon stuffed RB Bucky Irving for no gain. QB Baker Mayfield hit Irving on a swing pass, but Simon nailed him again for no gain. Now it was third down and 10. Mayfield dropped back to pass, was flushed, and then gained only five on a scramble at their own 32-yard line after the Browning tackle.

Punt team trots out. Defense held and gave the offense some wiggle room.

Tampa punter boomed a kick 59 yards to the Cardinals’ five-yard line, to which KR Greg Dortch only gained five yards. Arizona had a first down at its own nine-yard line, with 1:49 remaining. At least they had a chance, although being backed up made the odds unlikely.

Brissett hit Dortch for three yards, and then RB Michael Carter, who had to fight three defenders for a five-yard gain. An incomplete pass to the short middle to Xavier Weaver. Now, fourth-and-two. 55 seconds left on the clock. Brissett could not connect with Wilson just past the line to gain marker.

The Cardinals under Brissett have been able to drive up and down the field in most contests. The problem has been, getting more yards than your opponent and outplaying them in certain situations hasn’t translated to wins.

After the Buccaneers’ loss during the post-game press conference, Brissett stated:

“I know I get up here, and I sound like a broken record, but it’s just execution, man.”

That is pretty accurate.

Of course, with the offense, if you insert three new guys along the offensive line who have reputations of being nasty road graders, and get a stud running back, whether that is the return of Conner or some young blue-chipper, then this group should be an electric unit going forward.

All season long, the Cardinals kept getting close to winning but not actually winning. It was like the roster had a jinx placed on it and kept recurring.

The details need to be improved. As Brissett mentioned, both sides of the ball need to find a method to complete execution and finish. Arizona has outgained its opponents in five of nine games this season. Why hasn’t that translated into victories? Seven losses have been by three points or fewer.

Too many opportunities in the Red Zone that either come up with nothing or end with a field goal instead of six points. Too many points left on the field. They are able to take control of games, only to have them slip away at the finish line.

Brissett added:

“I think [offensive coordinator Drew Petzing] has been doing a good job of putting us in the right situations and giving us opportunities to go out there and make plays. I think the guys are doing a lot of good things, making those plays when they come, when they’re there, but just coming down to execution and details and me helping the guys out.”

The fact is that Brissett and Petzing work well together. The OC understands that Brissett is a pocket passer first and foremost, and designs plays to fit his timing and ability to quickly scan the field as he goes through his progressions. Brissett doesn’t get shaky and take off like QB Kyler Murray is known for.

Arizona is 0-8, going against clubs that have a winning record.

Like every other NFL team, injuries have decimated this 2025 roster. But unlike every other NFL squad, the Cardinals have not found ways to get around the roster losses.

Too many fixes will need to be addressed with the ballclub going forward.