Cardinals squashed by Burrow, Chase and Bengals in 37-14 loss

Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

GLENDALE – On Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals might’ve cemented themselves as one of the worst defenses in franchise history. Week 17’s 37-14 loss the the Cincinnati Bengals marks the fifth game during this eight-game losing streak where Arizona has allowed 35+ points. During that stretch, the defense has allowed 152.0 rushing yards per game, including 121 to the 31st-ranked run attack in the Bengals.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Bengals has three rushing touchdowns in the win, but quarterback Joe Burrow might’ve been the true star. The 29-year-old threw for 305 passing yards in three quarters, finding his favorite target wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for two touchdowns and 60 receiving yards. Cincinnati had 429 scrimmage yards, which is the second time the defense has allowed 400+ yards in a game in 2025.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Cardinals only had one drive that recorded more than six yards. The Bengals entered Sunday’s matchup with the worst scoring and rushing defense in the NFL by a wide margin. Six three-and-outs for Arizona’s offense that recorded a season-low 233 scrimmage yards and completely embarrassed on all three phases.

Bengals off to a strong start:

Last week was an anomaly for the Cardinals, who started their home finale on a 10-0 run. Arizona has been abysmal to start games, falling down double digits quickly. Week 17 was a return to form in that department for head coach Jonathan Gannon’s squad.

The Bengals faced three third downs on the opening drive and converted on all them, with two of them eight yards or greater. Quarterback Joe Burrow had eight pass attempts for 60 yards on the opening drive, including a 13-yard dot to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for the touchdown.

After a Cardinals three-and-out, the Bengals went on another 70+ yard touchdown drive. Despite a holding penalty backing up Cincinnati early, Burrow and the offense would pick up massive chunk plays. The offense had four plays of 10+ yards and quickly brought the team to the redzone.

Arizona’s defense had an opportunity to stop Burrow on a fourth-and-one QB sneak on the two-yard line, but the Pro Bowler was able to get the yard and set up a running back Sameje Perine for the one-yard touchdown run. The Bengals dominated the passing game and time of possession, leading to the 13-0 lead.

It seems in recent weeks the Cardinals spot their opponents 10+ points before finding the groove. After only six yards of offense in the first quarter, quarterback Jacoby Brissett opened the second drive with a 15-yard pass to tight end Trey McBride to begin a stretch of five straight positive play.

After three straight run plays, Cincinnati was playing more conservative to the ground game, which led wide receiver Michael Wilson wide open on the right sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. Arizona had some life, leading to a three-and-out by Burrow’s offense via a third down sack by Calais Campbell.

Despite that, outside of the touchdown drive, the Cardinals had 11 yards of offense, including the two drives following the score to end the half. The Bengals would remain on a role aggressive. After back-to-back sacks by Arizona to force a 3rd and 22 on its own 47-yard line, Cincinnati would pick 15 yards on a catch and run by running back Chase Brown to put the team in field goal range.

A massive mistake by the Cardinals to allow their opponent in field goal range, which would only be the beginning of more misfortune. After a three-and-out by Arizona, Ke’Shawn Williams had a 43-yard punt return to bring Cincinnati in field goal range with two-minute remaining. However, when Chase is on the field, the Bengals are always looking for six.

A 25-yard run by Brown led to a eight-yard touchdown catch from Chase, his second of the day and bringing the score 23-7.

Cardinals quickly fall behind:

Regardless of the score, the Cardinals would get the ball to start the half and could make a statement coming out of halftime with a score to put some pressure on the Bengals. In reality, Brissett threw back-to-back incompletions leading to a third down sack and a punt. A pitiful attempt that was immediately squashed by the Bengals defense.

Burrow looked to be the one with a point to prove, finding wide receiver Tee Higgins for a 39-yard competition. Despite starting on their own 16-yard-line, the Bengals faced little resistance by the Cardinals as they proceeded to go on an 11-play, 84 yard touchdown drive. After the Higgins catch, Brown too charge on the ground game with six rushing attempts for 23 yards, including the six-yard touchdown run.

Another three-and-out by Arizona was followed by another 80-yard touchdown drive by Cincinnati. Burrow looked like the former MVP candidate that he has been in past seasons, throwing three 18+ yard passes, including a 21-yard pass to offensive lineman Cody Ford to put salt on the wound for the Cardinals defense.

Brown would take advantage of Ford’s catch and run to punch in another one-yard touchdown run for his second of the day and bring the score to 37-7.

Arizona had nothing left to play for but individual accomplishments for its best player. Tight end Trey McBride entered the game close to breaking the all-time single-season receptions record by a tight end, held by Zach Ertz. Regardless of the score, McBride is always going to play hard and was able to record catch No. 117 in the fourth quarter to put his name in the history books.

McBride’s record-breaking season for the Cardinals has been the lone positive for the franchise this season and on Sunday. The two-time Pro Bowler ended his historic day with an 18-yard touchdown catch to close out the game 37-14.

Former Cardinals GM Steve Keim believes he’s ready for NFL return in 2026

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