Cardinals’ Defense in Freefall: Rallis Takes Ownership After Rams Rout
GLENDALE - If you’re looking for a snapshot of just how far the Arizona Cardinals’ defense has fallen, look no further than their last three division games. In each, they’ve given up 40-plus points - a number that used to be a rarity for this franchise.
In fact, since joining the NFC West in 2002, Arizona had only surrendered that many points four times in division play. Now, they’ve nearly doubled that total in just five weeks.
This isn’t just a rough patch - it’s a full-blown collapse.
Following Sunday’s 45-17 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis didn’t sugarcoat anything. He met with reporters on Tuesday and made it clear: the gameplan wasn’t up to par.
“I did not like the plan,” Rallis admitted, bluntly.
That level of accountability is becoming a theme in Arizona. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has been quick to shoulder blame throughout the season, and now his defensive coordinator is doing the same. But ownership of the problem is only the first step - the real issue is what comes next, and how this defense can stop the bleeding.
Against the Rams, the Cardinals gave up 530 total yards - the most any Gannon-coached defense has allowed. That stat doesn’t just sting, it screams.
Injuries have piled up, sure, but the sheer volume of yardage surrendered is a glaring red flag. Arizona’s defense, once a bright spot earlier in the season, is now firmly on the list of offseason priorities.
The turning point? You could argue it came in Week 9, when linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. left late in the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Since then, the defense hasn’t looked remotely the same - and the numbers back it up. In the five games without Wilson, Arizona has allowed an average of 366.6 yards per game.
That includes 212.4 through the air and a staggering 154.2 on the ground.
Those numbers place the Cardinals near the bottom of the league - seventh-worst in pass defense, second-worst against the run over that stretch. It’s not just a personnel issue; it’s a systemic one.
Rookie linebacker Cody Simon has stepped in to wear the green dot - the communicator role on defense - but the transition hasn’t been smooth. Simon is learning on the fly, and the growing pains have been evident.
That’s not entirely on him, though. Rallis knows it’s his job to prepare whoever is on the field, and by his own admission, that hasn’t been happening.
“I’ve got to do a better job getting these guys ready,” Rallis said, echoing the frustration that’s been building inside the locker room - and across the fanbase.
The Cardinals aren’t just losing games - they’re getting outclassed, particularly on defense. And while there’s still time to salvage some pride before the season ends, there’s no denying that the unit has regressed in a big way since midseason.
This offseason, Arizona has a long to-do list. And near the top? Figuring out how to rebuild a defense that’s lost its identity - and fast.