Who Won Cardinals Game Today: Arizona's Quiet January and the St. Louis Shakeup

If you're refreshing your feed looking for a final score from the desert today, you’re going to be waiting a long time. There wasn't a game. The Arizona Cardinals didn't play today, and honestly, they won't be playing for a while. Their 2025-2026 campaign hit a wall on January 4th at SoFi Stadium. That 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams didn't just end their season; it put a messy, 3-14 exclamation point on a year most fans in Phoenix would rather scrub from their memory.

While the NFL playoffs are currently heating up—with the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks all still making noise in the NFC—the Cardinals are already deep into "next year" mode. It's that weird, quiet part of the winter where the only winning happening is in the front office, or maybe on the golf courses in Scottsdale.

Why No One Won the Cardinals Game Today

It's pretty simple: the Cardinals didn't qualify for the postseason. When you finish the year with a nine-game losing streak, you don't get invited to the big dance in mid-January. They ended the season at the bottom of the NFC West, looking up at everyone else.

The last time they actually took the field, things started okay. Kicker Matt Haack even pulled off a wild 28-yard pass on a fake punt to Emari Demercado. It was flashy. It was fun. It led to a Michael Wilson touchdown that briefly gave Arizona a lead in the third quarter. But then Matthew Stafford happened. The Rams poured on 14 points in the fourth quarter, and that was that. Season over.

So, if you see people talking about "the Cardinals" winning something today, they're probably not talking about football. They might be talking about a high school team, or perhaps the North Central College Cardinals, who actually played a barnburner against Augustana yesterday, losing a 98-93 shootout. Or maybe they're talking about the Canfield Cardinals, whose girls' basketball team just absolutely dismantled Howland 66-39 thanks to some relentless defensive pressure.

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The Other Cardinals: A Massive Trade in St. Louis

While the football team is dormant, the St. Louis Cardinals (the baseball ones) are making enough noise to wake the neighbors. They didn't "win a game" today because, well, it's January and there’s snow on the ground in Missouri. But they did just make a move that feels like a massive loss to some and a strategic win to others.

They finally traded Nolan Arenado.

It happened late Tuesday, but the ripples are still the main topic of conversation today. Chaim Bloom, the new president of baseball operations, sent the 10-time Gold Glover to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yeah, Arenado is heading to the same city where the football Cardinals play. Life is weird like that.

Here is the breakdown of that deal, because it’s basically the only "score" that matters for Cardinals fans right now:

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• Arizona gets: Nolan Arenado and $31 million to help cover his massive contract.
• St. Louis gets: Jack Martinez, a right-handed pitching prospect who was an 8th-round pick last year.

Honestly, it feels like a gut punch for St. Louis fans. You’re losing a legend and paying $31 million for him to play somewhere else. But Bloom is clearing the decks. He’s already shipped out Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. The "Winning" here isn't measured in runs; it's measured in payroll flexibility and a total organizational reset. They're rebuilding from the ground up.

What’s Actually Happening in Arizona Right Now?

Since there’s no game to recap, let’s look at what the Arizona Cardinals are actually doing. They aren't just sitting around eating tacos. The 2026 opponents were just finalized. Because they finished last in the division, they have a "last-place schedule" next year, which—on paper—looks a lot friendlier than what they just endured.

Next season, they’ll be hosting the Philadelphia Eagles, the Denver Broncos, and the Washington Commanders at State Farm Stadium. They also have to travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs. Good luck with that. But the real work is happening in the scouting department. With a 3-14 record, they’ve secured a top-tier draft pick.

Actionable Next Steps for Fans

Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you should actually be spending your time if you're a Cardinals enthusiast:

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1. Track the NFL Draft Order: Keep an eye on the top three picks. The Cardinals need a massive influx of talent on the defensive side of the ball. If they don't fix the pass rush, the "who won" answer is going to be "not Arizona" for a long time.

2. Watch the Waiver Wire: For the St. Louis fans, the Arenado trade is just the start. Watch for rumors involving Brendan Donovan or JoJo Romero. Chaim Bloom isn't finished with this fire sale.

3. Check the International Signing Period: It opened today (January 15th). This is where the baseball Cardinals can actually start building that "future" they keep talking about. They’ll be looking for young, high-ceiling international prospects to fill the gap left by their departing veterans.

4. Mark Your Calendar for Spring Training: Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. It's only a few weeks away. If you need a Cardinals fix, that's your next real milestone.

The bottom line? No one won the Cardinals game today because there wasn't one. The football team is licking its wounds, and the baseball team is busy tearing itself down to build something new. It’s a tough time to be a bird fan, but hey, at least the draft is coming.