Honestly, if you missed the Arizona Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game back in late November 2025, you might look at the 20-17 score and think it was just another sleepy Sunday afternoon. It wasn't. It was weird. It was gritty. It was the kind of game that reminds you why the NFL is so unpredictable, especially when playoff lives are dangling by a thread.
Tampa Bay came in desperate. They had just lost three in a row. Baker Mayfield was playing on a banged-up shoulder that had kept him out of the second half of a blowout loss to the Rams the week before. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were essentially playing for pride and draft positioning, starting Jacoby Brissett while Kyler Murray sat on Injured Reserve.
The Trick Play That Nobody Saw Coming
You don't usually see 320-pound offensive tackles in the scoring summary. But that’s exactly what happened at Raymond James Stadium. In the second quarter, Baker Mayfield tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tristan Wirfs. Yeah, that Tristan Wirfs. The All-Pro left tackle.
It was a beautiful, goofy moment of coaching brilliance. The Bucs were sitting on a slim lead and needed a spark. Wirfs reported as eligible, slipped into the flat, and Mayfield found him for the score. It gave Tampa a 10-0 lead and completely deflated an Arizona sideline that had been playing surprisingly stout defense up until that point.
Arizona’s defense, led by Budda Baker and the emerging Baron Browning, actually did a decent job of keeping Mike Evans and Chris Godwin contained for most of the day. But they had no answer for the "Big Man Touchdown."
Why Arizona Just Couldn't Close the Gap
Arizona didn't just roll over. Far from it. Jacoby Brissett, who ended the day with 301 passing yards, actually out-threw Mayfield significantly. He found Bam Knight for a 22-yard score in the third quarter to make it 17-10. Then, after a massive 57-yard field goal by Tampa’s Chase McLaughlin, Brissett marched them right back down.
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He hit Trey McBride—who is quickly becoming one of the best tight ends in the league—for a 15-yard touchdown. Suddenly, it’s 20-17. The Cardinals' fans (the ones who traveled, anyway) were starting to get loud.
But then the wheels fell off.
The Cardinals had two chances in the fourth quarter to either tie it or take the lead. On a crucial 4th-and-1 from their own 39, Jonathan Gannon decided to get aggressive. He gave the ball to Bam Knight on a pitch play. Tampa's Anthony Nelson blew it up immediately. No gain. Turnover on downs.
Then came the final drive. Arizona got the ball back with a little over two minutes left. Brissett was carving them up. He got the ball down to the Tampa 17-yard line. 4th-and-2. The game is right there. Brissett looked for Michael Wilson over the middle, but SirVocea Dennis made the play of his life, breaking up the pass and sealing the win for the Bucs.
By the Numbers: Arizona Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s easy to get lost in the highlights, but the stats tell a story of missed opportunities for Arizona.
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- Total Yards: Arizona actually out-gained Tampa Bay 386 to 279.
- Time of Possession: It was nearly dead even, with Tampa holding the ball for about 30 minutes and 26 seconds.
- Third Down Conversions: This is where the game was lost. Arizona went 5-for-13. Tampa wasn't much better, but they made theirs count when they reached the red zone.
- Turnovers: Arizona turned the ball over twice—an Antoine Winfield Jr. interception and a Bam Knight fumble. In a three-point game, those are killers.
Bucky Irving was the unsung hero for the Bucs. He had been out for seven games with foot and shoulder injuries. He came back and looked like he hadn't missed a beat, rushing for 61 yards and a touchdown. He provided the balance that Mayfield needed while his shoulder was clearly bothering him.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s a narrative that the Cardinals are "tanking" without Kyler Murray. If you watched this game, you know that’s nonsense. These guys were hitting. They were flying to the ball. Jacoby Brissett played like a man who wants a starting job somewhere else next year.
The problem wasn't effort. It was execution in the "money" moments. When you go 0-for-2 on fourth down in your own territory or the red zone, you’re going to lose. Period.
On the Tampa side, people think they’re just the "Mike Evans show." While Evans is a legend, the 2025 Bucs became much more reliant on their young core. Guys like Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving are the future. And let’s be real, having a kicker like Chase McLaughlin who can nail a 57-yarder in the clutch is a luxury most teams don't have.
Where Both Teams Go From Here
Looking at the fallout of the Arizona Cardinals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers clash, the paths couldn't be more different.
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Tampa Bay used this win to stay relevant in the NFC South race. They finished the season in a bizarre three-way tie at 8-9 with Carolina and Atlanta. Because of tiebreakers, they missed out on the division title but proved they can win ugly when they have to. Baker Mayfield’s toughness has basically bought him another year in Tampa.
Arizona, finishing 3-14, is looking at a massive 2026 offseason. They need to figure out the depth at wide receiver. Beyond Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, the cupboard is pretty bare. They’ve already started making moves, signing Ihmir Smith-Marsette to a deal for the 2026 season.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking these teams into the 2026 season, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- Watch the Arizona Offensive Line: They allowed too much pressure on Brissett in the closing minutes. If they don't protect Kyler Murray better in 2026, his return won't matter.
- Monitor Baker's Health: Mayfield is a warrior, but he took a beating in late 2025. The Bucs need to invest in more protection to keep him upright.
- Trey McBride is a Star: He’s no longer a "underrated" player. He’s a focal point. Expect his targets to skyrocket regardless of who is under center.
- The 2026 Schedule is Set: Tampa Bay will host both L.A. teams (Rams and Chargers) and travel to Dallas in 2026. Their path back to the playoffs won't be easy.
This matchup broke the all-time tie between the two franchises. The Buccaneers now lead the series 12-11. It’s a rivalry built on close scores and defensive stands, and the November 2025 chapter was no exception.
The next time these two meet, Kyler Murray should be back, and the stakes will likely be even higher. For now, Tampa gets to enjoy the "W," and Arizona gets to work on a rebuild that feels like it's finally finding its footing, even if the record doesn't show it yet.