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Dec 9, 2025
Another lopsided loss to an NFC West foe shows just how far the Arizona Cardinals have fallen
The News-Gazette
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- The NFC West has turned into a three-headed monster this season with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers winning boatloads of games and fighting for first place.
Then there's the sorry state of the Arizona Cardinals.
In another sign that the Cardinals are nowhere near a good NFL team, they were blown out by the Rams 45-17 at home on Sunday. The game was tied at 10-all midway through the second quarter before the Cardinals gave up 35 unanswered points, allowing 530 total yards in the game.
"Collectively we couldn't stop them, and then we didn't put up a lot of points," Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. "It's not complementary football. They're scoring, you're not scoring. You need some stops. You have to put some points on the board."
The Cardinals (3-10) have lost five straight games and 10 out of 11 after starting the season with a 2-0 record.
Much of the blame for this season's struggles has focused on the offense, but lately it's the defense that's been the biggest problem. The Cardinals have given up more than 40 points in each of their last three losses against NFC West opponents.
"You have to play better than that," Gannon said.
The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention in last week's loss to the Buccaneers, so the focus has turned to how the franchise might build for 2026. It's not an encouraging picture.
Two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray appears on the outs with the franchise after a nagging foot injury that's kept him off the field for the majority of the season. Moving his $230.5 million, five-year contract will be tough.
Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. -- the No. 4 overall pick two years ago -- hasn't turned into the superstar many expected him to be. And outside of Josh Sweat's 11-sack season, the defense has been a disappointment.
Then there's the future of Gannon, who has a 15-32 record over nearly three seasons. His job status seemed relatively safe just a few weeks ago, b
