If you look at the schedule and see Arizona Cardinals vs Indianapolis Colts, you probably think it's just another cross-conference game that doesn't mean much. You’d be wrong. For some reason, whenever these two franchises meet, things get absolutely bizarre.
Whether it’s a Christmas night thriller or a backup quarterback duel in the preseason, the history between these two teams is a messy, fascinating collection of close calls and weird bounces. Most people focus on the big-market rivalries, but this one has a sneaky way of being the most entertaining game on the slate.
The 2025 Reality Check
We just saw them clash on October 12, 2025, and honestly, it was a heartbreaker for the desert birds. The Colts pulled off a 31-27 comeback victory at Lucas Oil Stadium that left Cardinals fans wondering what exactly went wrong. Daniel Jones, of all people, threw for two touchdowns to lead Indy back.
But the real story? Jonathan Taylor.
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Taylor basically put the team on his back, rushing for 123 yards and the game-winning touchdown with less than five minutes left. It was classic Taylor—patient, then explosive. The Cardinals' defense, led by Budda Baker, fought like hell, but they just couldn't plug the gaps when it mattered most.
Quarterback Chaos and Mid-Foot Sprains
Kyler Murray didn't even finish the 2025 season on the field. That’s been the biggest headline. By December, he was on IR with a mid-foot sprain that just wouldn't heal right.
This meant Jacoby Brissett had to step back into the spotlight against his former team. It’s kinda poetic, right? Brissett, who spent years in Indianapolis, was the one trying to pick apart the Colts' secondary. He didn't play badly—27 of 41 for 200 yards isn't a disaster—but the red zone was a nightmare for Arizona that day.
A History of One-Score Heartbreaks
The all-time series record now stands at 10 wins for the Colts and 8 for the Cardinals. That's close. Really close.
If you go back to their 2021 Christmas Day game, the Colts won that one too, 22-16. Arizona missed two field goals and an extra point in that game. Think about that. Six points left on the board in a six-point loss. It’s those tiny, annoying details that seem to define the Arizona Cardinals vs Indianapolis Colts rivalry.
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- 1990: Cardinals win 20-17 on a late surge.
- 2013: A 40-11 blowout where Arizona actually looked dominant.
- 2017: A 16-13 overtime nail-biter that Arizona scraped through.
The common thread? Almost every single game is decided by a handful of plays in the fourth quarter. It’s never easy. It’s never comfortable.
Why the Matchup Style Matters
The Colts under Shane Steichen have built an identity around a "bully ball" offensive line. When you have Quenton Nelson pulling on a power run, it’s a problem for smaller, speed-based defenses like Arizona's.
On the flip side, the Cardinals are built for track meets. They want to spread you out. They want Trey McBride—who is quickly becoming a top-tier tight end—to find the soft spots in the zone. In the 2025 game, McBride was a beast, hauling in a touchdown and keeping the chains moving. But when the game slows down and becomes a trench war, the Colts usually find their edge.
The Defensive Chess Match
- Laiatu Latu: The Colts' young pass rusher has been a nightmare for offensive coordinators. He’s got this weird, jerky style that tackles can't seem to time.
- Zaven Collins: Arizona’s swiss-army knife. He’s everywhere, but sometimes he’s asked to do too much.
- Kenny Moore II: Still one of the best nickel corners in the league. He’s usually the guy tasked with stopping Arizona’s shifty slot receivers like Greg Dortch.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?
If you’re a fan, the focus now shifts to the offseason and the draft. Arizona has some massive decisions to make regarding Kyler Murray’s future and that massive contract. There's a lot of talk about whether they'll look at a quarterback in the top 10 or keep building around the pieces they have.
The Colts, meanwhile, seem to have found a rhythm with Daniel Jones as a bridge or potentially more, though Anthony Richardson’s health remains the giant elephant in the room.
Key Takeaways for the Next Meeting
If you're betting or just watching for fun next time they play, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Injury Report: Both teams have had terrible luck with "freak" injuries to key players right before kickoff.
- The Run-Pass Ratio: If the Colts run more than 30 times, they win. Period. Arizona has to force them to be one-dimensional.
- Special Teams Blunders: As we saw in 2021 and 2025, a missed kick or a muffed punt usually decides this specific matchup.
The Arizona Cardinals vs Indianapolis Colts game might not be the "Game of the Century," but it’s a masterclass in NFL parity. It’s a reminder that on any given Sunday, a few inches or a lingering foot injury can change the entire trajectory of a season.
Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule release in May. If these two are slated for a late-season game, expect fireworks—or at least a very weird fourth quarter.
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Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official NFL standings to see how that October loss impacted the Cardinals' draft positioning. You should also monitor the local Indianapolis sports media for updates on Jonathan Taylor's workload heading into the next training camp, as his health is the single biggest factor in the Colts' offensive success.