GLENDALE – Despite the 3-13 record, the Arizona Cardinals have many moving factors heading into Week 18 vs. the Los Angeles Rams. From draft implications, job security and historical franchise failures, Sunday will cap off a nightmare 2025 season. Los Angeles is still playing for playoff seeding, with head coach Sean McVay confirming the starters will play and could lead to an ugly result in the season finale for Arizona.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks onto the field during a NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.
Cardinals closing out historically bad 2025 season:
The Cardinals lost to the Rams 45-17 at home in Week 14 in an absolute rout. However, that is good news for the franchise that is currently slated for the fifth pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Los Angeles is -7.5 point favorites, which puts Arizona in the primed position to lose and drop to 3-14. Despite the poor record, the team has a significant higher strength of schedule and will need one of three teams to win to make a jump into the top four or better: Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and New York Giants.
The only hiccup in improve the franchise’s draft stock is head coach Jonathan Gannon coaching for his job in 2026. The 42-year-old head coach is confident that he’ll be in the Valley next year, regardless of Sunday’s result. Despite the bold claims, Gannon is amidst coaching the worst era of Arizona Cardinals football.
Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A Week 18 loss would give the franchise 14 losses, the most in the team’s history. If the Rams score more than four points on Sunday, the Cardinals will have allowed the most points ever in a single season. Gannon currently has a record of 15-35 (.300), and with a loss would have the worst winning percentage of any Arizona head coach to hold the job for two or more seasons since 1953.
The 2025 season has been a complete and utter failure for the organization. Undeniably the worst since the team moved to Arizona in 1988. While a win would avoid many of those stats for the Cardinals and Gannon, fans will likely be rooting for a loss on Sunday to secure a top five pick and give a glimmer of hope for Arizona’s future after a brutal campaign this season.
Jonathan Gannon has “confidence” he’ll be coaching Cardinals in 2026
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
