The Arizona Cardinals lost a close game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-17, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday. This marks the seventh time this season that the Cardinals have lost by four points or fewer, dropping their record to 3-9.
Quarterback Jocoby Brissett commented on the team’s recurring struggles. “I know I get up here and it sounds like a broken record,” Brissett said after the game. “But it comes down to execution.”
Despite outgaining the Buccaneers with 386 total yards compared to Tampa Bay’s 279, the Cardinals were unable to secure a win. With less than two minutes left in the game and trailing by three points, Arizona started a drive from its own nine-yard line but failed to convert on fourth-and-two when Brissett’s pass to Michael Wilson was incomplete.
Coach Jonathan Gannon expressed support for his team’s effort and took responsibility for putting players in position to succeed. “I love the fight of the group,” Gannon said. He added, “The commonality would be it starts with the coaches making sure we put the players in good spots and were in all the details.”
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield played through a left shoulder sprain and managed key plays with his legs, avoiding sacks and negative yardage despite only rushing three times for 30 yards.
Marvin Harrison Jr., returning from appendicitis, had six catches for 69 yards before leaving late with a heel injury. Tight end Trey McBride contributed eight catches for 82 yards and one touchdown in the second half.
Gannon pointed out missed opportunities as crucial factors in the loss, citing at least nine points lost due to a missed field goal, an early red-zone interception by Brissett, and an unsuccessful fourth-and-one run while driving.
“We settled down but you can’t wait until the second half,” said Brissett, who threw for over 300 yards (29 completions on 40 attempts) for his fourth time as a Cardinal and third consecutive game.
Arizona’s defense forced Tampa Bay to punt late in the fourth quarter after Brissett connected with McBride for a touchdown with just under five minutes remaining. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson said, “For a defensive guy, yeah, we felt good. There was still a lot of football to be played. It’s not over until it’s over type-of-thing.”
On their final possession with under two minutes left, Arizona could not advance past their own territory as two short passes gained only eight yards before two incompletions ended their comeback hopes.
“The defense did their job all day,” Brissett said. “I thought we were going to go down and win.”
A key moment came when running back Bam Knight was stopped on fourth-and-one during an end run that Coach Gannon noted had been practiced for weeks. The Buccaneers capitalized on good field position following that play with Chase McLaughlin kicking a 57-yard field goal that extended Tampa’s lead.
Linebacker Josh Sweat recorded two first-quarter sacks, bringing his season total to eleven. Knight finished with 98 total yards including a receiving touchdown but also lost a fumble.
Wide receiver Andre Baccellia briefly exited in the second half due to an arm injury but returned later; Harrison’s heel injury prevented him from participating in Arizona’s final drive.
