#defense-struggles

#defense-struggles

TEMPE, Ariz. -- When the Arizona Cardinals allow themselves to finally take a breath after the season, whether that's on a beach in Cabo or on a couch in Arizona, and start dissecting how 2025 went, they'll keep coming back to one question. What went wrong? For a team that won eight games in 2024 and had playoff aspirations, this season fell far below expectations. At 3-13, the Cardinals have tied their worst record in the modern era. A loss Sunday will give them their worst single-season record since the 1970 merger.

"I think it's just a great example of playing 'til the last whistle."

"I'm just focused on this Sunday," he said. "All I got to do is go out there and just continue to work day by day and put my best foot forward. And so, I'm not really worried about what happens. I'm just worried about finding a way to get a win on Sunday and stop a high-powered offense with L.A. [ Rams] coming in."

It was a complete loss. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a key interception with 2:12 remaining to practically end the Dolphins' comeback hopes in what's already turning into a nightmare season for him and coach Mike McDaniel. But the biggest surprise of Sunday's bad performance was defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver's defense, which allowed the Patriots to score on each of their first three possessions. And just to complete the chain of poor play, special teams allowed a late kickoff return touchdown. Yikes.