Revenge of the Birds
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.
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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...
