Syndication: Arizona Republic
GLENDALE – Since the team’s bye week in Week 8, the Arizona Cardinals run defense has fallen off a cliff. In the first seven weeks of the season, Arizona allowed 101 rushing yards per game, which would make them a fringe top 10 rush defense. However, in the last three weeks, the Cardinals have allowed 130.4 rushing yards per game, placing them around 23rd in the league.
Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!
Injuries haven’t helped their case, but at 3-7, the team can’t use that excuse if they want to get out of this hole. The bad news is Arizona’s Week 12 opponent in the Jacksonville Jaguars thrive on the ground.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) walks off the field after their 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Can Cardinals get run defense back on track?
Jacksonville has the eighth-best rushing offense in the NFL, averaging 127.5 per game. The Jaguars had the same bye week as the Cardinals, and since then, have had an stellar rushing attack, recording 145.7 in the past three games. Last week vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville ran for 192 rushing yards. Los Angeles is the 18th best run defense, while Arizona is 16th, which could be a sign of how its defense will fare against this powerful ground game.
The man to watch out for is running back Travis Etienne. At 5’10, the 26-year-old possess explosive speed out of the backfield and is the backbone of the Jaguars offense. Etienne is averaging a career-high 72.9 yards per game and the second-highest yards per carry in his career.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) finds a hole during the first quarter in an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville’s offensive line has been a revelation this season, leading to the huge boom in the run game. The unit is best team in the NFL in run block win rate and can create holes against any defense.
Arizona’s defense has taken a nose-dive since losing linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., who was a huge part in the run defense for the team. The Cardinals saving grace is edge Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Sweat is more a pass rusher than run stopper, and Campbell at 39 years old might start to teeter off because of fatigue.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) and safety Budda Baker (3) and linebacker Zaven Collins (25) celebrate a sack of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Head coach Jonathan Gannon could try to load the box and force quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the 21st passing offense to beat them in the air. A notable idea if starting cornerbacks Will Johnson and Garrett Williams weren’t questionable for Sunday’s game.
Without Wilson and possibly Arizona’s top two cornerbacks, the Cardinals might have to prepare to be in a shootout with this Jaguars team, that are averaging 31.3 points since their bye week.
Which Cardinals rookie has performed the best in 2025?
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
