Washington is favored on the road against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12, a matchup that feels like a crucial 'get right' game for the Commanders if they are fighting to recover from a sub-.500 start to the season. This trip to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on November 29, 2026, could not come at a better time for a team looking to turn its fortunes around.
The Cardinals' Dire 2025 Has Them Stuck in Rebuild Mode
The Arizona Cardinals ended their 2025 regular season with a dismal 3-14 record, landing them dead last in the NFC West and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. After starting the year with wins in Weeks 1 & 2, the team lost 14 of its final 15 games, including a brutal nine-game losing streak to close out the '25 schedule. The defense was absolutely shredded throughout the second half, giving up 37 or more points in six of those final nine matchups. Following that collapse, the front office sacked head coach Jonathan Gannon and parted ways with quarterback Kyler Murray. Now, under new head coach Mike LaFleur for 2026, expectations are incredibly low. Most national publications predict them to win four or fewer games as the franchise dives into yet another rebuilding period.A Brutal 2026 Schedule Means Arizona Is Already Against the Ropes
It is no shock then that the Cardinals are ranked at #29 in ESPN’s preseason Power Index for 2026, making them the lowest-ranked team the Commanders will face all season. Their schedule leading into Week 12 is nothing short of brutal: by then, Arizona will have already played five games against three top-5 ranked teams (the Rams twice, the Seahawks twice, and the 49ers). They also faced the Lions, ranked 6th, and the Chiefs, ranked 9th. Realistically, they would have to play far beyond anyone's expectations to even enter this game with a winning record or any real hope of reaching the playoffs. While Washington's opponent quality drops mid-season, the Cardinals still have to play the Niners (again) and the Eagles in their final five games. With veteran Jacoby Brissett expected to manage the offense, all external expectations focus on evaluating young roster talent rather than chasing a postseason spot. So, this Week 12 clash against the Cardinals represents a golden opportunity for Washington. For Arizona, though, it is just another difficult step in what promises to be a very long 2026 season. Can they show any signs of progress, or will they simply confirm the league's low expectations?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.