Imagine rallying back in a nail-biting football game, only to see victory slip away in the final moments— that's the heart-wrenching reality the Arizona Cardinals faced against the Indianapolis Colts, leaving fans and players alike questioning what could have been. Despite a standout performance from quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who returned to the team he once called home, the Cardinals couldn't clinch the win, falling 31-27 at Lucas Oil Stadium. But here's where it gets controversial: was it just bad luck, or did a missed call on the field change everything? Stick around to dive into the details of this rollercoaster game and see why this loss feels like a punch to the gut for Arizona fans.
Let's set the scene in Indianapolis, where Brissett, stepping in as the starting QB after Kyler Murray got sidelined with a foot injury, showed why he was once a staple for the Colts over 30 games. He delivered an impressive display, guiding the Cardinals to their best offensive output of the season: a whopping 400 yards. For those new to football, that means the team's offense moved the ball effectively down the field, combining passes, runs, and plays to rack up substantial ground against opponents. And this came despite losing wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to a concussion early in the game after a hard hit on the turf following a catch.
Brissett wrapped up with 27 completions out of 44 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception—coming up only six yards short of his personal record for passing yards. The Cardinals, now sitting at 2-4 on the season, matched that 400-yard mark against the Colts, who are thriving at 5-1. Coach Jonathan Gannon emphasized that Murray is still the go-to quarterback when he returns, though no one's sure when that will be, with the team facing a home matchup against the Packers before their bye week. But even if Brissett has to fill in again, Gannon praised his calm demeanor and control under pressure in the pocket, saying, 'I hate to say I'm not impressed, but I know that's who he is.' It's a testament to Brissett's experience, and it makes you wonder if this kind of poise could turn things around for Arizona in future close games.
The Cardinals fought hard, scoring on all but one of their possessions in the second half—except for that agonizing final drive. Brissett marched them down to the Colts' 9-yard line with under a minute to play, but his last throw into the end zone fell incomplete. 'I thought we had a chance,' Brissett reflected afterward. 'That's all you can ask for in this league, is a chance.' Tight end Trey McBride, who hauled in eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown, was visibly frustrated. He yelled at the referee about what he believed was a pass interference penalty on the final play, where he felt the Colts' defender illegally held him back. No flag was thrown, though. 'I thought I got a little pass interference,' McBride said quietly later. 'They didn't think so.' Coach Gannon kept it simple: 'They call what they call.'
And this is the part most people miss: officiating decisions like this can spark big debates. Was it a clear hold that should have given Arizona a fresh set of downs to potentially tie or win? Or do refs have it right, focusing on the rules as they see them? It's the kind of call that could have flipped the script on a game that went to the wire. The Cardinals have now seen all six of their games hinge on the last 60 seconds, losing their four-game skid by a combined nine points. 'It doesn't feel like that,' McBride admitted. 'They've all been close. It's frustrating.'
On the defensive side, the Cardinals struggled to contain Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who rumbled for 123 rushing yards and averaged nearly six yards per carry—a tough challenge that exposed some vulnerabilities. They needed a big stop in the second half but couldn't muster it. Still, safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson urged perseverance: 'This is not no time to put our heads down. It's a long, long season. These games are close. We're not where we want to be but we're not in a bad spot.' It felt like a game that would go to whoever kept the ball last, and that final Cardinals push almost delivered.
Brissett noted that offensive coordinator Drew Petzing quickly adjusted to his style, creating a smooth rhythm—something Brissett appreciated. 'I was seeing it very well,' he said. 'I don't remember if it was Kyler or Kedon Slovis, but one of them said to me, "I can see you see it."' This is exactly why Arizona brought Brissett aboard in the offseason, preparing for situations without their star QB. It nearly worked wonders. 'It's hard. It's hard,' Gannon conceded. 'We're in a tough spot. Four in a row is tough. But we'll be resilient.'
Turning point came with 4:32 remaining, when Taylor scored the go-ahead touchdown on a run, flipping the 27-24 lead to the Colts. Arizona's defense couldn't halt Indianapolis after that, with the Colts capitalizing on every possession in the second half except the final kneel-downs to run out the clock.
As for the stars of the show, Brissett was clearly the MVP for Arizona. McBride was a reliable target, especially late, with his touchdown grab. Michael Wilson shone with a dazzling 31-yard reception on the last drive, nearly setting up the game-winner. Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. picked off a pass athletically in the first half, which could have led to points, but Brissett's interception soon after shifted momentum. Wide receiver Zay Jones had his finest outing, snagging five catches for 79 yards.
On injuries, tight end Travis Vokolek suffered a neck and concussion after a collision on a first-quarter kickoff and was carted off on a stretcher. Fortunately, he was alert and could move his limbs, a positive sign. He's already been released from the hospital and traveled home with the team, though the Cardinals are dealing with the loss of tight end Tip Reiman for the season. Harrison Jr. exited early in the second quarter due to his concussion. Michael Wilson briefly left in the first quarter with a finger injury on his right hand but came back. Running back Emari Demercado sat out part of the second quarter with an ankle issue.
So, what do you think? Does this highlight the excitement and agony of NFL comebacks, or does it expose deeper issues like inconsistent officiating that could alter outcomes? Is Brissett the underrated hero here, or should fans be more concerned about the team's close-call pattern? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree that resilience will pay off, or is there a controversial twist I'm missing? Let's discuss!
