The Arizona Cardinals didn’t exactly go out with a bang. If you’re checking the wire to find out what’s the score on the Cardinals football game, the short answer is a bit painful for the Red Sea: Arizona fell to the Los Angeles Rams 37-20 in their Week 18 season finale.
This game, played on January 4, 2026, at SoFi Stadium, wasn't just another loss. It was a 21st-century clinic on how a playoff-bound team like the Rams handles a struggling divisional rival. Arizona actually kept things spicy for about three quarters, even taking a lead late in the third. Then, the wheels didn't just come off—they disintegrated.
The Breakdown: How 20-37 Happened
Honestly, the first half felt like a kicking competition. Harrison Mevis and Chad Ryland traded field goals like they were playing H.O.R.S.E. but with their feet. Ryland actually nailed a monster 56-yarder in the second quarter to tie it up at 6-6. But Matthew Stafford, who seems to age like a fine Napa Cabernet, eventually found Puka Nacua for a 2-yard score before the half.
Then came the third quarter. This is where things got weirdly hopeful for Arizona.
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Jacoby Brissett, starting for the Cardinals, looked like a different human. He hit Michael Wilson for a beautiful 43-yard touchdown and followed it up with a 7-yard strike to Josiah Deguara. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 20-16 in favor of the Cardinals. You could almost feel the Rams' fans getting nervous.
It didn't last.
Stafford responded by systematically dismantling the Cardinals' secondary. He finished with 259 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those scores went to Colby Parkinson, who basically became a permanent resident of the end zone in the fourth quarter. Arizona didn't score a single point in the final frame, while the Rams piled on 14.
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Key Stats from the Cardinals vs. Rams Matchup
If you're a box score junkie, the numbers tell a story of "almost but not quite." Arizona managed 317 total yards compared to the Rams' 395. The real killer? Third-down efficiency. The Cardinals only converted 4 out of 11 attempts. You can't beat a team like LA by punting that much.
Here is how the top performers looked:
- Jacoby Brissett (ARI): 22/31, 243 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT. He was sacked 6 times for a loss of 33 yards.
- Matthew Stafford (LAR): 25/40, 259 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT.
- Michael Wilson (ARI): 5 receptions for 99 yards and a TD. The guy is a legit bright spot for this roster.
- Puka Nacua (LAR): 10 catches for 76 yards and a TD. Just consistent, boring excellence.
The Cardinals' run game was basically non-existent, totaling just 79 yards. When your leading rusher is Emari Demercado with 29 yards on just two carries, you know the offensive line had a rough afternoon in Inglewood.
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What This Score Means for the Cardinals
Arizona finishes the 2025-26 season with a 3-14 record. It’s a tough pill to swallow. They’ve now lost nine games in a row. Basically, they haven't tasted victory since before Thanksgiving.
While the Rams head into the Wild Card round as the No. 5 seed to face the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals are looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. The silver lining? They are locked into a very high pick.
Next Steps for Cardinals Fans
Since the season is officially over, the "score" is now about the front office moves. Here is what you should be watching over the next few weeks:
- Monitor Coaching News: Jonathan Gannon is under the microscope after a 3-14 finish. Keep an eye on local Arizona sports outlets for any "vote of confidence" (the kiss of death) from ownership.
- Draft Positioning: Start looking at mock drafts. With a top-three pick likely secured, the debate between taking a generational pass rusher or a franchise tackle starts now.
- Roster Freeze: As of today, January 14, 2026, the NFL roster freeze is in effect for playoff teams, but the Cardinals can already start signing "futures" contracts with players from the CFL or practice squads.
- 2026 Opponents: We already know the 2026 home slate includes the Eagles, Broncos, and Lions. It doesn't get easier, so the off-season rebuild needs to be aggressive.
The 37-20 loss to the Rams was a fitting end to a season defined by flashes of potential followed by total collapses. For now, the scoreboard is blank, and the long road to the 2026 opener begins.