So, you're looking for the score. It’s a bit of a trick question today because, honestly, it depends on which "Cardinals" you’re actually talking about—and what season you think we're in.
If you’re checking for the Arizona Cardinals (the NFL ones), their season is officially over. They played their final game of the 2025-2026 regular season on January 4, 2026. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams with a final score of 37-20. Since they finished the year with a rough 3-14 record, they didn't make the playoffs. While other teams are battling it out in the Wild Card and Divisional rounds right now, the Arizona squad is basically already looking at mock drafts and vacation brochures.
But maybe you're a baseball fan? If you're asking what's the score in the Cardinals game regarding the St. Louis Cardinals, there isn't one. It’s mid-January. The only "score" being settled right now is in the front office. We are deep in the MLB offseason. However, there’s a massive score of a different kind: the team just shipped Nolan Arenado off to the Arizona Diamondbacks. That’s the real "result" St. Louis fans are processing today.
Why the Arizona Cardinals Scoreboard is Dark
It’s a bummer, but the NFL playoffs are moving on without Arizona. Their last outing at SoFi Stadium was a bit of a microcosm of their whole year. Jacoby Brissett was under center, and while he found Michael Wilson and Josiah Deguara for some second-half scores, the defense just couldn't hold up. Matthew Stafford carved them up for four touchdowns.
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Here is how that final game broke down:
- First Half: A defensive grind. A couple of field goals by Chad Ryland kept it close, but the Rams led 16-6 at the break.
- Third Quarter: Arizona actually took a lead! They went up 20-16. For a second, it looked like they might play spoiler.
- The Collapse: The Rams scored 21 unanswered points. Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee basically lived in the end zone.
The final result of 37-20 sent the Cardinals home for the winter. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the NFC West, while the Rams used that win to clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC.
St. Louis Cardinals: No Games, Big Changes
Since it’s January 15, 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals are about a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Jupiter, Florida. If you’re seeing "Cardinals" in the news today, it’s almost certainly about the roster teardown led by Chaim Bloom.
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The blockbuster news is the Nolan Arenado trade. He’s heading back to the NL West (the Diamondbacks). In return, the Cards got salary relief and pitching prospect Jack Martinez. It's a clear signal that the "Win Now" era is taking a backseat to a full-scale rebuild.
They also recently signed veteran reliever Ryne Stanek to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. It's an interesting move for a rebuilding team—basically a "flip candidate" for the trade deadline if he performs well.
Looking at the 2026 MLB Schedule
If you're wondering when the actual score will matter again, Spring Training games usually kick off in late February. The 2026 regular season will start in late March. Until then, the "score" is really just about how much payroll they can shed and how many prospects they can stockpile.
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Is There a College Score?
Actually, there is one "Cardinals" team playing right now if you look at the college ranks. The Louisville Cardinals are in the thick of their basketball season. Depending on the day, you might find them in an ACC showdown. But usually, when someone asks "what's the score in the Cardinals game," they're looking for the pros.
Arizona Wildcats: The Other Red Team in the Desert
Interestingly, many people in Arizona searching for the score today are actually looking for the Arizona Wildcats basketball team. They just came off a huge 89-82 win over Arizona State. Koa Peat, their star freshman, went absolutely off in the second half. If you saw "Arizona 89, ASU 82" on a ticker, that's what you were looking at.
What's Next for the Birds?
For the NFL Cardinals, the next "score" that matters is their draft position. With a 3-14 record, they’ll be picking very high. Fans are already arguing over whether they should grab a franchise tackle or another playmaker for the defense.
For the St. Louis baseball fans, the focus is on the youth movement. With Arenado gone, players like Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, and Thomas Saggese are going to get all the playing time they can handle. It might be a long summer at Busch Stadium, but the goal is to be back in the hunt by 2027.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay on top of the real-time updates as we head into the spring:
- Check the NFL Draft Order: Keep an eye on the official NFL standings now that the regular season is over to see exactly where Arizona lands (likely Top 3).
- Monitor MLB Pipeline: Watch for where Jack Martinez slots into the Cardinals' prospect rankings after the Arenado trade.
- Spring Training Tickets: These usually go on sale in late January. If you want to see the St. Louis rebuild in person, keep your eyes on the Cardinals' official site.
- Download a Sports App: Since no games are active today, set alerts for "St. Louis Cardinals Transactions" to see if Chaim Bloom moves any other veterans like Sonny Gray or Willson Contreras.