Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
GLENDALE – It’s quite difficult to lose a football game after forcing four turnovers, but not a challenge for the Arizona Cardinals. A stellar defensive performance from Arizona was completed wasted due to abysmal offensive line protection, penalties and massive special teams miscues. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was sacked six times in Week 12 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are one of the worst pass rushing teams in the NFL.
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Jacksonville four times their season sack average per game and completely immobilized Arizona’s run game, that averaged 2.8 yards per carry. On the drives following Quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s three interceptions, the Cardinals recorded 29 total scrimmage yards and seven points.
Arizona had exceptional individual performances, wide receiver Michael Wilson recording 10 catches for 118 receiving yards, but the offense as a whole seemed disorganized, which was rooted in the offensive line not able to generate any rhythm. The lost of Jonah Williams and Will Hernandez in this 27-24 to Jacksonville greatly shows how missing one or two pieces can derail a unit.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks the sidelines as his team plays the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
Defense tanks first punch:
After back-to-back weeks of poor starts from the Cardinals defense, Sunday’s game began nearly identical. A sensational punt by Matt Haack placed the Jaguars at their own third-yard line. A perfect opportunity to give the defense some much needed confidence to produce a stop. However, it would only take four plays for Jacksonville to prove that theory wrong.
A 30-yard catch by wide receiver Brenton Strange, opened the door for the heart of the Jaguars offense, running back Travis Etienne, to take over. The former first-round pick spurted off for a 45-yard run, with the next play being a 15-yard touchdown catch in the flats to cap off a 97-yard touchdown drive.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke (29) defends during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The score could’ve been an omen of just how broken Arizona’s defense has devolved into. Despite allowing the touchdown, the defense used the opening drive as a wake up call and were ready to wake up the home fans on the next series.
On a third-and-six inside Jacksonville’s 10-yard-line, defensive coordinator brought a safety blitz off the edge that quarterback Lawrence couldn’t read. Safety Jalen Thompson laid a stellar hit onto Lawrence, which floated the ball into the air and into the arms of rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen for the walk in touchdown.
The turnover set the tone for the rest of the first half, as the Cardinals only allowed 26 total yards and three points outside of the opening drive.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III (97) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Arizona’s offense couldn’t matchup its defensive counterpart’s dominance. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was racking up yards but ill-advised mistakes from turnovers to special teams mishaps left some points on the board. On the first two drives, Brissett took sacks on second and third down, either killing the drive or putting the team in third-and-long situations.
On the first drive, Brissett didn’t suffer a sack, the Cardinals were thriving down the field. The 32-year-old was finding his favorite target wide receiver down the field to get in Jaguars territory. After a generous roughing the passer call in Arizona’s favor, running back Michael Carter brought his team to the goal line for running back Bam Knight to punch it in for the 14-10 lead entering the break.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Pharaoh Brown (49) celebrates a touchdown by teammate Bam Knight (20) during their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
Lawrence throws three interceptions:
Jacksonville looked motivated entering the second half, with Bhayshul Tuten exploding for a stellar 39-yard kick return. The return seemed to give Lawrence some confidence, throwing for three straight completions +12 yards. The pro bowler was dialed in and looked to record his fourth straight competition to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for the touchdown, but cornerback Garrett Williams snagged it out of his hands for the interception.
A stellar play by Williams that the Cardinals offense wasn’t able to follow up, going three-and-out. Another massive 43-yard punt return by Park Washington, again gifted the Jaguars golden field position. The return allowed Lawrence to right his wrong and find Meyers for the touchdown to retake the lead.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The game appeared to be turning ugly, with Brissett following a -4 yard opening drive with a -7 drive. Lawrence had a perfect opportunity to expand his team’s margin. However, the Cardinals defense would again step up to save the day. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither reads the Lawrence’s eyes all the way to secure Arizona’s second interception and third takeaway.
Despite that fact, the offense remained anemic. Penalties and sacks remained the theme of the third quarter, leading to another three and out for the Cardinals. At the end of the third quarter, Arizona had -19 total yards including penalties.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defenders Arik Armstead (91) and Dawuane Smoot (98) close in at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025.
All the turnovers and good field position wasn’t enough to boost Arizona’s offense. The lack of points didn’t effect the defensive intensity, as it continued to bend and not break. A killer punt by Haack placed Jacksonville on its own one-yard-line. Etienne was able to create some room for his team, but Lawrence struggles would prevail once again.
On a third down, Lawrence shifted his body to sling it towards Austin Trammell for the first down when safety Budda Baker reads it all the way and springs to catch the ball midair for the interception. After three tries, Baker’s takeaway acted as the defibrillator to save this flatlining offense.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) celebrates after making a catch during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Brissett found wide receiver Greg Dortch on a slant route that allowed him to showoff his speed for the 39-yard touchdown to make it 21-17 in Arizona’s favor.
Jacksonville head coach Liam Cohen still trusted his franchise quarterback to get his team out of this jam, which turned out to be the correct decision. Lawrence went four-of-four for 59 yards on the subsequent drive, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Washington in the back of the endzone.
The Cardinals were in a position they have been in too many times before. The offense had an opportunity to tie or win the game and have failed every single time this season. Brissett eyed to end this runt for Arizona by feeding his top target in Wilson, who broke away from his defender for a 31-yard catch to set up the game-tying field goal.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals place kicker Chad Ryland (38) kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Offense can’t save team in Overtime:
Arizona’s defense composure remained cold in overtime. Even after a 25-yard pass to Washington to open the frame, the defense didn’t faulter and forced the field goal to keep their team’s hope alive. All the pressure shifted towards the shoulder of Brissett to be able to end the Cardinals four-game home losing streak.
The career backup was able to pickup a third-and-five with his feet to keep the hope alive early in the drive. But, a fourth-and-four, just outside of field goal range, had Brissett looking deep to try and win it on a touchdown pass into double coverage. Wide receiver Xavier Weaver couldn’t overcome the coverage and had the ball swatted away for him, losing the game 27-24.
Will Johnson headlines Cardinals inactives for Week 12 vs. Jaguars
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
