PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — In a fairly meaningless regular-season finale, the Arizona Cardinals put up an early fight until a dynamic late surge by the playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams.
The Cardinals were in the lead late in the third quarter on Sunday. Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 259 yards and four touchdown passes, as the Rams rallied to secure the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 37-20 victory.
Jacoby Brissett passed for 243 yards and hit Michael Wilson with a 43-yard TD pass in the second half for Arizona, which put a fright into the Rams despite finishing coach Jonathan Gannon’s third season with nine consecutive losses and 14 of 15.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) fumbles the ball while being sacked by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)(Mark J. Terrill | AP)
“We’re gonna keep swinging, man,” Gannon said. “Everybody in there has been through tough times in their careers, and the main thing that I was happy about today was they maximized the last opportunity to play. And they’re not going to be happy watching these (playoff) games, but we did that to ourselves, and it starts with me.”
Gannon dropped to 15-36 in Arizona. He agreed that the Cards are likely to make significant changes but didn’t speculate on his own future.
Trey McBride made seven catches to extend his NFL single-season record for a tight end to 126 receptions for the Cardinals, who lost 14 games in a season for the first time in the history of a franchise that started in Chicago in 1920. Wilson finished with 99 yards receiving to top 1,000 in a season for the first time.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) hurdles over Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)(Mark J. Terrill | AP)
Brissett started the Cardinals’ final 12 games after a foot injury sidelined Kyler Murray. The former No. 1 pick’s future is also up in the air in Arizona.
“Obviously came up a little short, but I’m pretty sure (the Rams) probably came in here and thought they were gonna roll us and get ready for the playoffs,” Brissett said. “And no, we gave them a run for their money. Guys came out and battled.”
The Cardinals now head into the offseason with mounting uncertainty around their coaching staff, star quarterback and upcoming draft choice. They currently have the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is held from April 23 to 25.
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