Arizona Cardinals drop ninth game of the year

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (KYMA) - The Cardinals' trip to Tampa Bay ended in a tight 20-17 loss, a game that felt winnable despite some costly mistakes.

Early on, Jacoby Brissett tried to squeeze a throw over the middle just outside the red zone, but it was tipped and intercepted, killing a promising first-quarter drive.

With the game still stuck in a stalemate, the Bucs surprised everyone by tapping into their "secret weapon," left tackle Tristan Wirfs, in a moment that felt straight out of an NFL big-man highlight reel.

Down 10-3, Arizona took another tough blow when Bam Knight broke up the middle but had the ball punched out, leading to the team’s second turnover of the day.

Even so, the defense hung in and kept the Cardinals within striking distance. Brissett responded with one of his best plays of the afternoon, escaping pressure, rolling left, and hitting a wide-open Knight downfield to keep hope alive.

Arizona later cashed in when Brissett connected with Trey McBride, the team's top target, for a touchdown that kept them firmly in the hunt.

But the final chance to steal a win slipped away, and the Cardinals fell to 3-9 on the season. For fans thinking about the future, the draft picture is starting to matter. Arizona currently sits with the eighth overall pick.

Now, the Cardinals shift focus to a tough matchup against the 9-3 Rams as the season winds toward its final stretch.