The Arizona Cardinals haven’t been able to finish games all season, and that continued on Sunday afternoon against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Cardinals took their first lead since Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter on Sunday, but the Jaguars quickly responded.
The Cardinals would go on to kick a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime; however, ultimately, they fell in defeat. What positives can Arizona take from the loss?
What Can the Cardinals Hold Their Head High On?
After back-to-back losses by an average of more than 20 points, the Cardinals lost their sixth one-possession game of the season on Sunday.
However, the Cardinals did many things right in the heartbreaking loss to the Jaguars. What went right for Arizona?
1. Defense Forced Turnovers
The Cardinals forced four turnovers on Sunday, which was the most they’ve forced this season. However, the Cardinals still lost and became the first NFL team in 50 games to lose with a +4 turnover margin.
That doesn’t seem like a positive, but isolating turnover production from the rest of it is where there’s room for improvement.
The Cardinals’ defense ranks No. 22 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact, but ranks No. 9 in turnovers forced. Arizona has forced at least three turnovers in three of its last four games, and two against the Green Bay Packers before that.
However, the Jaguars ranked No. 10 in the NFL in turnovers, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact, with just 10 giveaways on the season. The Cardinals forced almost half of that on Sunday.
Arizona’s defense doesn’t have very appetizing numbers on the season, but it’s been put in some unopportune situations. The Cardinals’ recent ability to force turnovers has given the offense opportunity after opportunity. Now, the challenge is for the offense to start capitalizing.
2. Walter Nolen III Is Becoming A Star
The Cardinals drafted defensive lineman Walter Nolen III with the 16th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he’s played in just four games this season.
The talented rookie injured his knee in rookie training camp and made his season debut in Week 9. Nolen terrorized the Dallas Cowboys in his debut and has since contributed consistent production.
Nolen put an exclamation mark on that in Sunday’s game. The rookie snagged the ball out of the air inside the Jaguars’ 10-yard line and rumbled his way to the end zone for a pick-six and the Cardinals’ first points of the game in the first quarter.
CARDINALS STRIP SACK AND A TD FOR ROOKIE WALTER NOLEN
JAXvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/8P1Bo1COCH
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson came on a blitz and hit Trevor Lawrence as he released the ball, and Nolen was in the right place at the right time.
It was the defensive lineman’s second touchdown of his football career. The first came in high school on a 3-yard touchdown run as a Wildcat quarterback in the state championship game.
The big man has already shown why he was one of the top picks in this year’s draft, and he seems only to get better the more he plays. Nolen did leave the game with an injury and will be something to monitor as the week progresses.
3. The Offensive Stars Continued To Shine
The Cardinals have taken the ‘get your playmakers the ball’ to a literal level in the last few games. Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had his breakout game in Week 9 against the Cowboys, and since then, the Cardinals have made it an emphasis to get their stars the football.
With Harrison out this week and last, receiver Michael Wilson has filled in as the No. 1 receiver alongside star tight end Trey McBride. Wilson had 15 catches on 18 targets for 185 yards in last week’s game. This week, the Cardinals receiver had 10 catches on 15 targets for 118 yards.
Last week, McBride had 10 catches on 11 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. He followed up those efforts this week by posting nine catches on 10 targets for 79 yards. McBride has now had at least 10 targets in five of the last six games.
Arizona knows who its playmakers are, and the Cardinals are making sure to throw the ball to them. Arizona has moved the ball offensively over the last few weeks, but now it needs to convert those possessions into points.
