It wasn’t supposed to end like this — not in Glendale, not with State Farm Stadium packed, not with a playoff dream still flickering. But when Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Riley Patterson nailed a 42-yard field goal in overtime on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the final score of 27-24 wasn’t just a win — it was a funeral bell for Arizona’s 2025 hopes. The Arizona Cardinals, battered by injuries, inconsistency, and bad timing, fell to 3-8, their worst start since 2023. And as the final whistle blew, the silence in the stands said more than any postgame interview could.
How a Once-Promising Season Crumbled
It started with promise. The Cardinals opened 2025 with back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. Fans dared to dream: maybe this was the year they broke their nine-year NFC West title drought. Maybe this was the year they returned to the playoffs after a three-year absence. But by Week 6, everything unraveled. Kyler Murray, the franchise’s heartbeat, went down with a sprained ankle. Then came Marvin Harrison Jr.’s concussion — followed by appendicitis in Week 11, sidelining him for a second straight game. Even first-round pick Walter Nolen III, expected to anchor the defensive line, missed seven weeks with a calf strain. The dominoes kept falling.The Numbers Don’t Lie
The stats tell the story: 3-8. Fourth in the NFC West. Only one win in their last six games — and that was a fluke against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 9. Their offense, once ranked among the league’s most explosive, now ranks 28th in points per game. Their defense? 26th in yards allowed. The offensive line has allowed 29 sacks in 11 games. And while the Jaguars’ offense isn’t flashy, they’re efficient: quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions. He didn’t need to be perfect — just steady. And in a game where Arizona’s defense gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter, steady was enough.State Farm Stadium: A House of Pain
This was the Cardinals’ final home game of the season. State Farm Stadium, now in its 20th year as Arizona’s home, felt hollow. The crowd of 58,412 — far below capacity — didn’t boo. They just stared. Some held up #12 jerseys — a tribute to the fans who still believe. Others left early, clutching $27 tickets they’d bought in August, now worth less than a coffee. The team’s preseason showed promise: wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. But regular season football is different. And this year, the Cardinals couldn’t adapt.
Who’s Left Standing?
Head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort are in their third season. They inherited a roster full of talent — but not depth. They drafted well in 2024, but injuries decimated the rookie class. The front office signed veteran quarterback Jake Browning to back up Murray — but Browning, despite his poise, lacks the arm strength to stretch defenses. The offensive coordinator, Mike Groh, has been criticized for being too conservative, especially in the red zone. And now, with the season slipping away, whispers of a coaching change are growing louder. Not next year. Maybe this offseason.What’s Next? A Road to Nowhere
Arizona’s remaining schedule is brutal: Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and Los Angeles Rams. Only two home games left. And with their playoff math already impossible — they’d need to win all four remaining games and hope for four other teams to collapse — the focus now shifts to development. Can they evaluate their young players? Can they find a new quarterback? Can they avoid the draft lottery’s bottom tier? The answer to all those questions may come down to how they handle the next three weeks.
Why This Matters Beyond Arizona
This isn’t just about a bad season. It’s about the fragility of NFL rebuilding projects. The Cardinals spent heavily on defense in free agency last year. They traded for a Pro Bowl receiver. They thought they were close. But talent alone doesn’t win when injuries pile up and leadership falters. Other teams — especially those in the NFC West — are watching. The 49ers, Rams, and Seahawks are all in playoff contention. Arizona’s collapse isn’t just a footnote; it’s a warning. The league doesn’t wait. It moves on.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kyler Murray’s injury impact the Cardinals’ offense?
Murray’s absence since Week 6 removed the Cardinals’ only true playmaker with the ability to extend plays and make throws under pressure. Backup Jake Browning, while accurate, lacks Murray’s mobility and deep-ball threat, forcing Arizona into a conservative, short-passing game that stalled in the red zone. The team’s red zone efficiency dropped from 61% in Weeks 1-5 to just 38% after Murray’s injury.
Why did the Jaguars win despite being underdogs?
Jacksonville didn’t rely on star power — they relied on discipline. Trevor Lawrence threw only 27 passes, but completed 22, with three key third-down conversions in the fourth quarter. Their running game, led by Travis Etienne, gained 112 yards on 28 carries, controlling the clock and keeping Arizona’s offense off the field. The Jaguars’ defense also forced two turnovers — a fumble recovery and an interception — both in the final 10 minutes.
What’s the outlook for Marvin Harrison Jr. after his appendicitis diagnosis?
Harrison Jr.’s appendectomy was successful, and team doctors expect a full recovery in 3–4 weeks. However, he missed two games and hasn’t practiced since Week 6. His return — likely in Week 16 against Atlanta — will be monitored closely. Even if he returns, he may need time to regain timing with the quarterbacks, especially if Browning remains under center.
Is there any hope for the Cardinals to make the playoffs?
Mathematically, yes — but practically, no. They’d need to win all four remaining games, and have four other teams (including the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks, and Packers) lose at least three each. The probability is less than 0.3%, according to FiveThirtyEight’s NFL model. The focus now is on securing a high draft pick — potentially top-five — to rebuild around a new quarterback.
How does this loss compare to past Cardinals collapses?
This season mirrors 2018 — a promising start followed by a midseason collapse due to injuries and poor coaching decisions. Back then, they finished 3-13. This year, they’re on pace for a similar record. The difference? In 2018, they had Carson Palmer. Now, they have no clear franchise QB. That’s the real crisis.
What’s next for Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort?
Ossenfort’s job is likely safe — he’s the architect of the draft class that brought in Harrison Jr. and Nolen. But Gannon’s future is uncertain. His play-calling has been criticized for being too predictable, especially in critical moments. With the team likely to finish 4-13 or worse, the front office may look for a new head coach who can implement a more aggressive, modern offensive system — especially if they land a top pick in the 2026 draft.
