GLENDALE – Arizona Cardinals fans are fully aboard the hype train of backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Back-to-back impressive performance against two of the top teams in the NFL has warranted a serious conversation if Brissett should remain the starter for the remained of the season. How did the 32-year-old backup in two short weeks make this a tough battle between him and the seven-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!There is a clear indicator to on why Arizona’s offense is working recently and it’s not the passing yards, or touchdowns or even pocket awareness. It’s third downs. Brissett under center has exponentially improved the team’s third down conversion percentage.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) warms up before they play against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cardinals massive third down conversion improvement:
- Five five weeks: 27-68 (39.7%)
- Last two weeks: 16-28 (57.1%)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) takes the field before they play against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 19, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In the past three weeks, the offense is third in the NFL in third down conversions and it’s because of a drastic change in the passing game. The holes and weakness of the offense are still present. The run game is still stagnant, leading to short or zero yard gains on first and second down leading to third downs.
However, Brissett’s third down passing has been absurd, converting on multiple 3rd-and-long situations. The best example was on 3rd-and-23 vs. the Green Bay Packers near the end of the half. From previous weeks, the Cardinals are likely to throw a short pass or run to get off the field, but not with Brissett under center. Under pressure, Brissett lasers a 43-yard pass to Zay Jones to get the first down and eventually the touchdown.
Oct 12, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) and wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Brissett’s pocket awareness and evasion of pressure has been sensational, especially against one of the toughest pass rushers in the game in Micah Parsons. The ability to keep plays alive, while having eyes down field, has allowed Cardinals wide receiver to illustrate their improvisation skills and find ways to get open that previously were unseen.
Third downs have become Arizona’s bread and butter. The offense has shutdown during those big plays and converting on 3rd-and-20 or 3rd-and-10 is deflating against opposing defense. Crushing the spirit of a defense by getting first downs is how teams win games, they find ways.
Unclear if Brissett will remain the starter of the team moving forward, but he has a serious case because the offense has never looked better on third down.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
