In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the Arizona Cardinals suffered yet another late-game collapse, this time against the Indianapolis Colts, despite a stellar performance from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it Brissett’s near-miss in the end zone, or the defense’s inability to stop Jonathan Taylor, that truly sealed their fate? Let’s dive in.
The stage was set for a storybook return as Brissett, stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray, faced the team he once led for 30 games. And he delivered—almost. Leading the Cardinals to a season-best 400 yards of offense, Brissett completed 27 of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception. Yet, with less than a minute left and the ball on the Colts’ 9-yard line, his final pass fell incomplete, leaving the Cardinals with a 31-27 loss. ‘I thought we had a chance,’ Brissett said afterward. ‘That’s all you can ask for in this league.’
And this is the part most people miss: The Cardinals’ four-game losing streak has been decided by a total of just nine points. Each of their six games this season has come down to the final 60 seconds, a trend that’s both frustrating and baffling. ‘It doesn’t feel like that,’ said tight end Trey McBride, who believed he was held on the final play, a call that wasn’t made. ‘They’ve all been close. It’s frustrating.’
Coach Jonathan Gannon praised Brissett’s poise, noting, ‘I hate to say I’m not impressed, but I know that’s who he is.’ Still, Gannon confirmed Murray remains the starter upon his return, though the timeline for that is unclear. The Cardinals face the Packers at home before their bye week, leaving Brissett’s role in flux—though his performance has undoubtedly earned him confidence.
The turning point came with 4:32 left when Jonathan Taylor’s go-ahead touchdown run put the Colts back on top. Arizona’s defense, which allowed Taylor to rush for 123 yards and nearly six yards per carry, couldn’t get the stop they desperately needed. ‘This is not the time to put our heads down,’ safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson said. ‘It’s a long season. We’re not where we want to be, but we’re not in a bad spot.’
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Did the Cardinals lose this game, or did the Colts simply outlast them? The final drive, which included a spectacular 31-yard catch by Michael Wilson, showed promise. But in a game where the last team with the ball often wins, the Cardinals fell just short.
Standouts included Brissett, McBride (8 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD), and Wilson, whose clutch grab nearly set up a game-winning score. Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. added an athletic interception, though it was overshadowed by Brissett’s lone pick. Wide receiver Zay Jones also shone with 5 catches for 79 yards.
Injuries added to the Cardinals’ woes. Tight end Travis Vokolek was carted off with a neck/concussion after a first-quarter collision but was later released from the hospital. Marvin Harrison Jr. left with a concussion in the second quarter, and Emari Demercado exited with an ankle injury. Michael Wilson briefly left with a finger injury but returned.
As the Cardinals lick their wounds, the question remains: Can they turn their close losses into wins, or will this season be defined by what-ifs? What do you think? Is this a team on the brink of a turnaround, or are they destined for a season of near-misses? Let us know in the comments!
