If you turned off the TV before overtime during the Week 12 clash between the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars this past November, honestly, you missed the most chaotic fifteen minutes of the 2025 season. Most people assume cross-conference games between teams struggling to find their identity will be a "snoozefest." This was anything but.
It was a game of "nobody wants to win this." Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions. The Cardinals’ defense scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Yet, in the end, a rookie kicker from Arkansas named Cam Little had to blast a 52-yarder through the desert air to settle it.
What Really Happened with Arizona Cardinals vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Arizona Cardinals vs Jacksonville Jaguars matchup on November 23, 2025, wasn't just another game on the schedule; it was a survival test. Jacksonville walked into State Farm Stadium desperately trying to keep pace with the Colts in the AFC South. Arizona, meanwhile, was playing under a cloud of uncertainty regarding the future of Kyler Murray and head coach Jonathan Gannon.
You've got to look at the quarterback situation to understand the mess. Kyler Murray wasn't even on the field. Instead, it was Jacoby Brissett under center for the Cardinals. He actually played decently, throwing for over 300 yards. But the real story was Trevor Lawrence.
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Lawrence is a paradox. He threw three touchdown passes, but he also turned the ball over four times. Usually, when a quarterback does that, his team loses by twenty. But the Jaguars' defense, led by Foyesade Oluokun, basically decided they weren't going home with an "L." They held the Cardinals to 24 points despite Arizona having every opportunity to pull away.
The Overtime Chaos and the Stop That Mattered
When the game went to overtime tied at 24-24, the atmosphere in Glendale was weirdly tense. The Jaguars got the ball and stalled, but Cam Little—who has been a revelation for Jacksonville—nailed a 52-yard field goal with about seven minutes left in the extra period.
Then it got interesting.
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The Cardinals drove all the way to the Jaguars' 42-yard line. It was 4th-and-4. The game was right there. Brissett dropped back, drifted, and heaved a prayer to Xavier Weaver. For a second, it looked like Weaver had it. But Andrew Wingard, the veteran safety, got his hand in there. Ball hits the turf. Game over. Jaguars win 27-24.
Why This Game Changed the Trajectory for Both Teams
For Jacksonville, this win was huge. It moved them to 7-4 and kept them within striking distance of a playoff spot. Liam Coen, the Jaguars' coach, was pretty blunt afterward. He said they wouldn't apologize for winning, even if it was ugly. And he's right. In the NFL, "ugly" wins count exactly the same as blowouts.
On the flip side, this was sort of the beginning of the end for the Gannon era in Arizona. The Cardinals fought hard—Greg Dortch had a massive 39-yard touchdown catch, and the defense was flying around—but they just couldn't close. By January 2026, Gannon was out, and the team was looking at a top-three draft pick.
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Key Stats You Should Know
- Turnovers: Trevor Lawrence (JAX) had 4 total turnovers (3 INTs, 1 fumble).
- Defense Scoring: Walter Nolen III (ARI) returned a Lawrence fumble 7 yards for a TD.
- Top Performer: Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX) racked up 116 total yards and a touchdown.
- The Kicker: Cam Little (JAX) went 2-for-2, including the 52-yard game-winner in OT.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The landscape for the next Arizona Cardinals vs Jacksonville Jaguars meeting looks completely different. Arizona is hitting the reset button. They have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 draft. The big question in the desert isn't just who the coach will be, but if Kyler Murray is even the guy anymore.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, is trying to figure out how to keep Trevor Lawrence from having those "four-turnover" games. They have pieces like Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers, but the consistency just isn't there yet.
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at this matchup in the future, don't just look at the records. Look at the defensive pressure. The Jaguars' pass rush, featuring Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, is a nightmare for a team like Arizona that is currently rebuilding its offensive line.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Keep an eye on the Cardinals' coaching search; it will dictate how they use Trey McBride, who is arguably the best tight end in the league right now.
- For Jaguars fans, watch the development of Parker Washington. He’s becoming Lawrence’s favorite "clutch" target when games get tight.
- If these two meet again soon, expect a high-variance game. Neither team is particularly "safe" to bet on because of the turnover potential on both sides.
The 2025 meeting proved that even "mid-tier" matchups can produce absolute theater. It wasn't pretty football, but it was incredibly high stakes for two franchises heading in opposite directions.