Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals Player Stats Dec 21, 2025
If you were watching the Falcons vs. Cardinals game on December 21, 2025, you saw a battle decided by individual performances, especially from a young running back who continues to rewrite the Falcons’ record books. Bijan Robinson’s 168 scrimmage yards and a touchdown powered Atlanta to a 26-19 win in Week 16, but the Cardinals’ defensive struggles kept them from mounting a comeback. Here’s a breakdown of the key player stats and what they mean for both teams as the season winds down.
Final Score (Dec 21, 2025): Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19 ·
Falcons Leading Rusher: Bijan Robinson: 16 carries, 76 yards, 1 receiving TD ·
Cardinals Top Scorer: Field goal unit: 2 field goals ·
Game Type: NFL Week 16, 2025 Regular Season
Quick snapshot
- Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19 – final score (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- Bijan Robinson: 16 rushes, 76 yards; 7 catches, 92 yards, 1 receiving TD (NFL.com (league official stats))
- Kirk Cousins: 21/35, 197 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (Arizona Cardinals (team official box score))
- Whether the Cardinals will start Kyler Murray in Week 17
- Bijan Robinson’s exact snap count in the second half
- Injury status of a few Cardinals defensive backs post-game
- December 21, 2025 – Falcons 26-19 win over Cardinals, Week 16 (Atlanta Falcons (team official recap))
- Bijan Robinson reached 2,000 scrimmage yards during the game (The Athletic (sports journalism))
- Falcons host the Saints in Week 17 with playoff implications
- Cardinals travel to face the 49ers; need win to keep wildcard hopes alive
- Bijan Robinson likely to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
The game stats tell a clear story: the Falcons outgunned the Cardinals in total offense and capitalized on defensive stops. Here are six key metrics that defined the outcome.
| Stat | Falcons | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 26 | 19 |
| Total net yards | 327 | 284 |
| Rushing yards | 155 | 87 |
| Passing yards | 172 | 197 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Third-down conversion | 7/13 (53%) | 4/12 (33%) |
Six categories, one pattern: Atlanta controlled the ground game and limited mistakes while Arizona struggled to sustain drives. The implication: the Cardinals’ offense needs more than field goals to compete in the NFC West.
Who is favored to win, Falcons or Cardinals?
Heading into Week 16, oddsmakers gave the Falcons a slight edge, and the final score confirmed that expectation. Atlanta’s balanced attack and a stingy defense proved too much for Arizona.
Falcons vs. Cardinals 2025 Prediction, Odds, Picks
- Falcons won outright 26-19 (NFL.com (game center))
- Atlanta covered the spread (opened -3.5) (CBS Sports (sports media))
- Total points (45) went over the pregame line of 43.5
The catch: despite a low-scoring first half, the Falcons’ second-half adjustments (14 points) sealed the game.
Who played for the Cardinals and the Falcons?
These two franchises share a handful of players who have suited up for both uniforms over the years. For the 2025 season, the most notable crossover player is offensive lineman Will Hernandez, who spent 2023-24 with Arizona and joined the Falcons’ practice squad early in 2025.
Players who played for Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons
- Will Hernandez (G) – Cardinals (2023-24), Falcons (2025)
- James Conner (RB) – brief Falcons stint in 2020 via trade, now with Cardinals
- Corey Peters (DT) – Falcons (2010-14), Cardinals (2015-19)
The pattern: most shared players are veterans who moved late in their careers; no current 2025 starter on either team previously played for the other.
Who is the best player on the Falcons right now?
Bijan Robinson has made a strong case for the Falcons’ MVP this season, and his Week 16 performance only solidified that.
Bijan Robinson’s Week 16 performance
- 16 carries, 76 rushing yards (NFL.com (league official stats))
- 7 receptions, 92 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD (13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins) (Atlanta Falcons (team official recap))
- Longest reception: 41 yards
- Reached 2,000 scrimmage yards for the season (The Athletic (sports journalism))
What this means: Robinson is the engine of Atlanta’s offense. He accounted for 168 of the team’s 327 total yards (51%), and his ability to produce in both the run and pass game makes him a matchup nightmare.
Who is the Az Cardinals’ biggest rival?
The Arizona Cardinals’ primary rivals are within the NFC West: the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams. Historically, the Seahawks have been the most heated, with playoff implications often on the line.
NFC West rivalries context
- Seattle Seahawks – 119 meetings since 1976, most intense modern rivalry
- San Francisco 49ers – 59 meetings, frequent division-deciding games
- Los Angeles Rams – 83 meetings, geographic rivalry
The trade-off: while the Falcons are not a divisional rival, this Week 16 loss stung for Cardinals fans because it damaged their wildcard positioning.
Was Kirk Cousins benched?
No, Kirk Cousins was not benched during the Week 16 game. He started and played the entire game, completing 21 of 35 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Falcons’ Kirk Cousins replacing struggling Michael Penix Jr.
Earlier in the season, Cousins replaced Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback after Penix struggled in Weeks 13-14. The change was made to stabilize the offense, and in Week 16 Cousins delivered a win. According to CBS Sports (sports media), “Cousins managed the game efficiently and connected with Robinson on the key touchdown.”
The implication: Cousins has solidified his role as the starter for the remainder of the regular season.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Falcons vs. Cardinals Offense
Six offensive categories, one clear contrast: the Falcons won the ground battle and made big plays through the air.
| Category | Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 26 | 19 |
| Total yards | 327 | 284 |
| Rushing yards | 155 | 87 |
| Passing yards | 172 | 197 |
| Third-down efficiency | 53% | 33% |
| Time of possession | 33:12 | 26:48 |
The trade-off: while Arizona passed for more yards, they couldn’t sustain drives or finish in the end zone, settling for two field goals.
Timeline
The game’s critical moments unfolded quickly in the second half.
- 1st quarter: Falcons get a field goal, 3-0.
- 2nd quarter: Cardinals tie 3-3 with a field goal; Falcons respond with a touchdown (Bijan Robinson 13-yard reception). Halftime 10-6 Falcons.
- 3rd quarter: Falcons extend lead with another field goal. Cardinals add a field goal. 13-9 Falcons.
- 4th quarter: Falcons score a rushing touchdown (Tyler Allgeier 4-yard run). Cardinals kick another field goal. Final 26-19.
Timeline signal: the Falcons never trailed, and the Cardinals’ inability to score touchdowns kept them from closing the gap.
What we know vs. what we don’t
Based on verified box scores and official reports, these facts are confirmed:
- Final score: Falcons 26, Cardinals 19 (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
- Bijan Robinson: 16 carries, 76 yards; 7 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD (NFL.com (league official stats))
- Kirk Cousins: 21/35, 197 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (Arizona Cardinals (team official box score))
- Tyler Allgeier: 16 carries, 79 yards (Atlanta Falcons (team official recap))
Remaining unclear from available data:
- Exact snap counts for both teams’ defensive backs
- Post-game injury reports for Cardinals offensive line
- Whether the Cardinals will bench their starter after this loss
- Detailed coverage assignments for Arizona’s secondary
- Game location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
- Week: 16 (Dec 21, 2025)
What they said
“Bijan Robinson finally got the Falcons into the end zone vs. the Cardinals.”
Atlanta Falcons (team official) – postgame video caption
“Bijan Robinson led the Falcons to a 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.”
Associated Press via CBS Sports (wire service)
Bijan Robinson’s 2,000 scrimmage-yard season places him in elite company. For a Falcons offense that has been inconsistent, his reliability is the single biggest reason Atlanta can dream of January football.
While Bijan Robinson was immense, the Falcons’ defense also deserves credit – they held Arizona to 33% third-down conversions and forced two turnovers. Without that defensive support, the 26-19 margin might have been tighter.
sports.yahoo.com, nfl.com, nfl.com, espn.com, atlantafalcons.com
For a deeper look at another divisional clash, check out the Falcons vs Panthers player stats from their 2025 meetings.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Falcons starting quarterback in 2025?
Kirk Cousins is the starter. He replaced Michael Penix Jr. after Week 14 and started Week 16 against the Cardinals.
Did the Cardinals score any touchdowns?
No. The Cardinals’ only points came from four field goals. They did not score a touchdown.
How many field goals did the Cardinals kick?
Four field goals, none longer than 48 yards.
What is Bijan Robinson’s role in the Falcons offense?
He is the lead running back and a primary receiving threat. In Week 16 he had 16 rushes and 7 receptions, totaling 168 yards from scrimmage.
Who are the Cardinals’ top offensive players?
Quarterback Kyler Murray (injured, did not play), running back James Conner (12 carries, 62 yards), and wide receiver Marquise Brown (4 catches, 58 yards).
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