GLENDALE – A week removed from forcing four takeaways vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Arizona Cardinals would have four of their own in Week 13 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unlike Jacksonville, Arizona couldn’t overcome those mistakes in the 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay, despite some moments late on Sunday.
Week 13 started with an ill-advised throw by quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the interception, and it ended with a throw by the 32-year-old that was just out of the reach of wide receiver Michael Wilson for the turnover on downs to end the game.
All three Arizona scoring drive were after Tampa Bay score, which allowed them to stay in the game, but enough to make a serious fight towards the lead. Brissett had his sixth game this season with 250+ passing yards and two touchdowns. Tight End Trey McBride led all receivers with eight catches for 82 yards, but it wasn’t enough for the Cardinals fourth-straight loss to be 3-9.
Cardinals offense fight uphill battle after turnover:
The offense had one of its best opening drives in recent memories. Arizona had 10 straight positive plays to start Sunday’s game, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett going six-of-six from the field for 42 yards. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in his return had taken over in his first drive back, recording three receptions for 25 yards.
Everything was clicking when the Cardinals reach the Buccaneers redzone, until disaster struck. On 2nd-and-4, Brissett tried to laser it in for wide receiver Michael Wilson when the bounced off his hands into the air for a Antoine Winfield Jr. interception. It was the safety’s second interception of the year and came in a massive way to halt the opposing offense from scoring.
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
After the interception, the Cardinals devolved back to its old habits to have an atrocious offensive attack, record -3 yards in the following two drives fueled by poor pass protection. Arizona was on the verge of its first first half shutout since Week 17 in 2024. However, on a 3rd-and-9 with under 90 seconds to go, Brissett was able to throw his second completion of the second quarter to Harrison for the 21-yard gain.
The offense finally started to put some positive plays together, with the usual suspects of Harrison and Wilson making impressive grabs to get into field goal range. Even after a Buccaneers timeout, kicker Chad Ryland laced a 52-yard field goal into the uprights to put his team on the board.
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals place kicker Chad Ryland (38) makes a field goal during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
However, that kick wasn’t for the lead, as Tampa Bay’s offense overcame their own adversity to find the endzone. In the first two drives, the Buccaneers’ offense was filled with penalties and sacks that derailed any hope of moving the ball. It wasn’t until this usual throw-heavy offense put the ball into the hands of running back Bucky Irving.
Irving slowed down the game with his pound and ground game to pick a first down off three straight runs. Arizona started loading the box to slow down Irving, which allowed quarterback Baker Mayfield to do what he does best, go deep. Mayfield found wide receiver Chris Godwin for a 31-yard catch inside the Cardinals 10-yard line.
Despite only leaving with a field goal, it gave confidence to Tampa Bay on the following drive to put of the game’s first touchdown drive. The Buccaneers didn’t make it easy for themselves with two penalties bringing back two touchdowns off the board. However, third time was the charm, as Mayfield found his All-Pro offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs in the flats for two-yard touchdown, ending the half 10-3.
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (78) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Turnovers kill Arizona’s chances:
Despite the lackluster scoring effort, Arizona was only down one score with the ball to start the third quarter. It was believed to be the Bam Knight show, as the running back broke away for a 13-yard gain to open the frame. Those beliefs dropped dead the following play as Knight fumbled the ball and gift wrapped it back to Tampa Bay.
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (20) fumbles against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers weren’t able to do anything wit the football, allowing for the Cardinals offense to make up for their mistake. Brissett started the subsequent drive five-of-six for 61 yards, which included four pass plays of 10+ yards. Tampa Bay consist pressure didn’t give Brissett much time to read options downfield and elected to dump it off towards his running backs Knight and Michael Carter.
The duo were able to breakaway for some massive gains in the flats and bring the team deep inside Buccaneers territory. Brissett was eyeing Harrison on a one-on-one against an all-out blitz but just missed him for the easy touchdown. That would prove costly, as Ryland on the opposite side of the field missed a 43-yard field slightly right, giving a massive boost towards a struggling Tampa Bay offense.
Mayfield was treating Arizona’s secondary like Swiss cheese, finding the holes to have two 20+ pass plays to get into the redzone. The air attack opened it up for Irving to go untouched for a 13-yard touchdown, his first of the year.
Nov 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) celebrates after a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Falling down two scores seemed to wake up the Cardinals offense, replicating the opening drive by having six straight positive plays. However, instead of ending with a turnover, Brissett was stellar avoiding pressure, getting out of the pocket, and throwing on the run to Knight for the 15-yard touchdown.
The two players involved in both of Arizona’s turnovers on Sunday connect for the team’s first touchdown of the game. The Cardinals surpassed its first half total in scrimmage yards in the third quarter alone, but the missed field goal and turnover still has the team behind.
Those mistakes would continue, with head coach Jonathan Gannon electing to go-for it on 4th-and-1 inside Arizona’s own 40-yard line. A toss to Knight was absolute demolished against the seventh-best run defense team in the NFL. Despite the Buccaneers not recording a single offensive yard off the turnover, the team was already in field goal range to bring the score back to two scores, 20-10.
Like Gannon has stated all season, this Cardinals team is resilient. Even after the fourth-down stuff and the field goal, Arizona would respond with its best drive of the game. The usual suspects came in to aid in the offense efforts, like tight end Trey McBride, opening the drive with a 20-yard catch into Tampa Bay territory.
McBride recorded his 14th-straight game with 5+ receptions, second-most by a tight end in NFL history, and one of those would include a 15-yard touchdown pass by Brissett to bring the game to a 3-point game.
Even after the defense forced the three-and-out, the Cardinals offense had a pitiful end of game attempt to try to tie or take the lead. With under two minutes left, Brissett threw a three-yard and five-yard pass that both stayed in bound to bring the clock under a minute. A quick incompletion made it 4th-and-2 inside Arizona’s own 20-yard line. Facing pressure, Brissett tried to dump it off to Wilson for the first down, but couldn’t connect and ending the game for the Cardinals fourth-straight loss.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
