The Arizona Cardinals have seen limited success in the win column this season, but their acquisition of linebacker Josh Sweat has paid off. Sweat recorded two sacks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, bringing his total to 11 for the season after 12 games. This matches his career high as he aims for a second Pro Bowl selection and demonstrates the value he brings as a pass rusher.
Sweat’s performance came while chasing Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who played despite a recent shoulder injury. Mayfield was able to evade defenders on several plays, but Sweat managed to make an impact.
The Cardinals face several challenges heading into the offseason, but securing an effective edge rusher is not one of them. Bertrand Berry holds the franchise record for most sacks by a free-agent signing with 14.5 in 2004. Whether Sweat can surpass that mark remains to be seen.
Kicker Chad Ryland missed a 43-yard field goal attempt during the game. He took responsibility for the miss and clarified it was not due to any issue with punter Matt Haack’s hold: “You never want to leave points out there when you are sent out to get them,” Ryland said. “Everything was exactly the way I wanted. We were playing with the wind at our back a little bit so I wanted the ball more up and down. I just kind of cut it thin. That was on me.
“Matt is a true pro. I’m happy to have him here and he’s done a really good job getting the ball down how I like and I have to do a better job making those kicks.”
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who favored his heel late in the game, returned confidently and contributed alongside tight end Trey McBride and wideout Michael Wilson when quarterback Jacoby Brissett had time in the pocket.
Tight end Trey McBride caught eight passes, extending his streak of games with at least that many receptions to 14—a new franchise record—and placing him one behind Travis Kelce’s NFL record for tight ends.
Linebacker Baron Browning became the first Cardinals player to wear a Guardian Cap during a regular-season game following his return from concussion protocol.
Defensive lineman Darius Robinson expressed frustration over Arizona’s three wins since September: “We’ve only won 3 games since September. That’s terrible. That starts with myself. I’m not who I thought I was.” Robinson also praised head coach Jonathan Gannon: “JG is awesome,” he said. “He doesn’t get enough credit for how he coaches and teaches… He’s perfect. It’s us (players.)”
Running back Michael Carter contributed five catches for 47 yards as part of Arizona’s rotating backfield amid injuries.
At halftime, Tampa Bay inducted former defensive end Simeon Rice into its Ring of Honor; Rice began his career with Arizona after being drafted in 1996, recording 51½ sacks in five seasons before joining Tampa Bay.
Rice reflected on his career before Sunday’s game: “I was the best of the best and I unapologetically say it.” He added: “I was the 1996 Rookie of the Year,” Rice said. “I was always that guy. I was All-Pro before I even got (to Tampa).”
Former coach Bruce Arians attended Sunday’s matchup between teams he previously led.
After another close loss—Arizona’s seventh defeat by four points or fewer this year—defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson commented on narrow margins in league play: “It’s tough to win in the NFL. We have had a lot of games this year that came down to a couple of plays. It just shows the margin of error we have – or don’t have – when the game is that close.”
