If you’ve been following the desert birds for a while, you know the vibe. One minute we're dreaming of a deep playoff run with Kyler Murray's dual-threat magic, and the next, we're staring at the draft order. Honestly, the Arizona Cardinals 2025 schedule felt like a rollercoaster designed by someone who really enjoys seeing fans stress out.
It started with such high hopes. 2-0! We actually beat the Saints in New Orleans and took down the Panthers at home. People were talking. The "Gannon Effect" was supposedly in full swing. But then? The wheels didn't just come off; they basically disintegrated.
The Brutal Reality of the Arizona Cardinals 2025 Schedule
Looking back at the slate, it was a gauntlet. We're talking about a stretch where the team couldn't buy a win if they tried. After that 2-0 start, the Cardinals went 1-14. Yeah, you read that right. One and fourteen. It’s the kind of stat that makes you want to look away, but for those of us tracking the Arizona Cardinals 2025 schedule, the writing was on the wall by mid-October.
The "meat" of the schedule featured a home-heavy stretch that should have been an advantage. Instead, State Farm Stadium saw a string of heartbreakers.
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- Week 4 vs. Seahawks: A 23-20 loss that started the divisional slide.
- Week 5 vs. Titans: Losing by one point to Tennessee? That hurt.
- Week 7 vs. Packers: Jordan Love and Green Bay came in and took a 27-23 victory.
Then came the bye in Week 8. Usually, that’s when a team heals up. For Arizona, it was just a brief pause before a Monday Night miracle in Dallas (the 27-17 win in Week 9), followed by a total collapse.
Why the Division Games Mattered Most
In the NFC West, you can’t afford to go winless. But that’s almost what happened. The Cardinals were swept by the Rams and the Seahawks. The 49ers took both games too, including a one-point nail-biter in Week 3 at Levi's Stadium. When you go 0-6 or 1-5 in your own division, your season is basically cooked by Thanksgiving.
The December stretch was particularly grim. Facing the Rams, Texans, Falcons, and Bengals back-to-back? That’s a nightmare for any defense, let alone one that was struggling with injuries. Walter Nolen, the big-time first-round pick, was limited to just six games. Marvin Harrison Jr. missed five. When your stars are in the tub instead of on the turf, the Arizona Cardinals 2025 schedule starts looking like an impossible mountain to climb.
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The Games That Defined the Year
If you want to understand the 3-14 record, you have to look at the "close but no cigar" games. The Week 12 overtime loss to the Jaguars (27-24) was probably the tipping point. After that, the spirit seemed to break. The scores got wider. 45-17 against the Rams in Week 14. 40-20 against the Texans in Week 15. It wasn't just losing; it was getting bullied.
Kyler Murray's season ending early—again—was the final blow. Without him, the offense lost its identity. Jacoby Brissett did what he could, but the magic was gone.
Arizona Cardinals 2025 Schedule: Full Breakdown
| Week | Opponent | Result | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @ New Orleans Saints | Win | 20-13 |
| 2 | vs. Carolina Panthers | Win | 27-22 |
| 3 | @ San Francisco 49ers | Loss | 15-16 |
| 4 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | Loss | 20-23 |
| 5 | vs. Tennessee Titans | Loss | 21-22 |
| 6 | @ Indianapolis Colts | Loss | 27-31 |
| 7 | vs. Green Bay Packers | Loss | 23-27 |
| 8 | BYE WEEK | - | - |
| 9 | @ Dallas Cowboys (MNF) | Win | 27-17 |
| 10 | @ Seattle Seahawks | Loss | 22-44 |
| 11 | vs. San Francisco 49ers | Loss | 22-41 |
| 12 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Loss | 24-27 (OT) |
| 13 | @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Loss | 17-20 |
| 14 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | Loss | 17-45 |
| 15 | @ Houston Texans | Loss | 20-40 |
| 16 | vs. Atlanta Falcons | Loss | 19-26 |
| 17 | @ Cincinnati Bengals | Loss | 14-37 |
| 18 | @ Los Angeles Rams | Loss | 20-37 |
Looking Ahead: The Cost of a 14-Loss Season
The fallout from this season was immediate. Jonathan Gannon was fired on January 5, 2026, just a day after the final loss to the Rams. A 15-36 record over three seasons just wasn't going to cut it for Michael Bidwill.
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The 2025 season will be remembered for the injuries and the missed opportunities. But there’s a silver lining: that 3-14 record means a very high draft pick in 2026. The cycle starts over. New coach, hopefully a healthy Kyler, and another chance to fix the defense.
If you're planning for next year, the opponents are already set. The Cardinals will host the Eagles, Broncos, and Lions in 2026. Hopefully, the results look a little less like a disaster movie and more like a redemption story.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Arizona is locked into a top-3 pick. Keep an eye on the top defensive prospects to fix that pass rush.
- Watch the Coaching Search: The next hire will determine if Kyler Murray stays in the long-term plans.
- Review Ticket Renewals: With a new regime coming in, wait for the coaching announcement before locking in those season seats for 2026.