Falcons top Cardinals for first win at Arizona since 2001
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) reacts with wide receiver David Sills V (87) after scoring on a touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Kirk Cousins threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns, plus another rushing score, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Tyler Allgeier rushed for 79 yards, while Bijan Robinson ran for 76 yards and caught seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown for Atlanta (6-9), which won at Arizona for the first time since Sept. 30, 2001.
Jacoby Brissett threw for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Cardinals (3-12), who lost their seventh straight game.
Atlanta's Zane Gonzalez's 40-yard field goal broke a 16-16 tie with 7:25 left in the third. Chad Ryland pushed a 44-yard attempt for Arizona to the right on the Cardinals' ensuing drive.
From there, the Falcons took their first two-possession lead as Cousins pushed in a 1-yard rushing score to stamp a 12-play, 66-yard drive with 12:28 left in the fourth. It was Cousins' first rushing score since Oct. 30, 2022.
After Atlanta fumbled on fourth down, Ryland's 34-yard field goal pulled Arizona within seven with 4:37 remaining.
The Falcons could have essentially ended the game but turned the ball over on downs at Arizona's 39-yard line with 2:05 left.
Atlanta secured the win as C.J. Henderson -- who was promoted to the active roster on Saturday -- intercepted Brissett with 1:30 left.
Ryland's 50-yard field goal gave Arizona a 3-0 lead before Denzel Burke picked off Cousins and returned it to Arizona's 45 with 9:53 left in the opening quarter.
The Cardinals then stamped a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive with Brissett's 32-yard touchdown pass to Michael Wilson, giving Arizona a 10-0 lead at the 7:43 mark of the first.
Gonzalez's 49-yard field goal was answered with Ryland's 51-yarder, as the Cardinals took a 13-3 lead with 13:27 left in the first half.
On Atlanta's ensuing drive, Cousins connected with Robinson for a 41-yard pass, before the duo linked up on a 13-yard touchdown pass, cutting Atlanta's deficit to 13-10.
Ryland's third field goal of the first half -- this time a 25-yarder -- gave the Cardinals a six-point lead with 5:02 left in the opening half.
Atlanta tied the game with 25 seconds remaining before halftime, as Cousins hit Kyle Pitts for a 5-yard score. Calais Campbell blocked Gonzalez's extra point attempt.
Ryland missed a 50-yarder as time expired, leaving the halftime score tied at 16 apiece.
--Field Level Media
What the NBA Draft Should Learn From the 2026 NFL Draft
Best Betting Picks for Saturday’s NBA Playoff Matchups
Four Teams That Are Winning 2026 NFL Draft So Far
Shohei Ohtani Rule Explained: Why Dodgers Get Extra Pitcher
- MLB Best Bets Today: Strikeout Props and Total Plays to Target
- NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets
- NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets
- MLB Betting Picks Today: Two Expert Picks for Tuesday’s Slate
- NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Nuggets vs Timberwolves & Knicks vs Hawks
- Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
- UFC Winnipeg Betting Picks: Best Bets for April 18th Card

