Final2025 Week 16

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Atlanta Falcons vs Arizona Cardinals, Week 16 2025

Atlanta Falcons

AwayWon

26

Arizona Cardinals

Home

19

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Falcons3133726
Cardinals1060319

ATL 26ARI 19 Final

  • Passing leader

    Jacoby Brissett

    ARI · QB

    11.6PPR pts

    16/31, 203 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Bijan Robinson

    ATL · RB

    29.8PPR pts

    16 ATT, 76 YDS, 7 REC, 92 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Cardinals leader

    Elijah Higgins

    ARI · TE

    16.1PPR pts

    7 REC, 91 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    C.J. Henderson

    ATL

    1 INT, 4 TKL

Falcons 26, Cardinals 19: Atlanta beats Arizona

Atlanta broke a 16–16 halftime tie, outscoring Arizona 10–3 after the break to win 26–19. The Falcons finished with a narrow 342–320 edge in total offense.

The Cardinals went 7-for-13 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Falcons kept the ball for 35:34.

Key advantages

  • +22 total yards ATL 342 · ARI 320
  • +11:08 time of possession ATL 35:34 · ARI 24:26

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Falcons Won

Atlanta won the time of possession battle.

Team stats comparison, Falcons vs Cardinals
FalconsStatCardinals
342Total yards320
35:34Time of possession24:26
Other team stats
4.7Yards per play5.7
73Plays56
2Turnovers1
50%Third-down conversion54%

Scoring Summary

The Falcons scored three touchdowns and two field goals; the Cardinals scored one touchdown and four field goals.

Scoring plays, Falcons vs Cardinals
TimeTeamPlayATLARI
1st quarter
12:46ARIChad Ryland 50-yard FG Takes lead03
7:43ARIJacoby Brissett → Michael Wilson, 32-yard TD Extends leadChad Ryland XP010
2:17ATLZane Gonzalez 49-yard FG310
2nd quarter
13:27ARIChad Ryland 51-yard FG Extends lead313
11:56ATLKirk Cousins → Bijan Robinson, 13-yard TDZane Gonzalez XP1013
5:02ARIChad Ryland 25-yard FG Extends lead1016
0:25ATLKirk Cousins → Kyle Pitts Sr., 5-yard TD Ties gameXP missed1616
3rd quarter
7:25ATLZane Gonzalez 40-yard FG Takes lead1916
4th quarter
12:28ATLKirk Cousins 1-yard TD run Extends leadZane Gonzalez XP2616
4:37ARIChad Ryland 34-yard FG2619

Fantasy Points: Falcons vs Cardinals, Week 16 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Bijan RobinsonATLRB29.8 PTSRB4
  2. Kyle PittsATLTE18.7 PTSTE3
  3. Kirk CousinsATLQB18.6 PTSQB12
  4. Elijah HigginsARITE16.1 PTSTE6

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Jacoby BrissettARIQB11.6QB2316/312031115069.7Start/Sit →
Kirk CousinsATLQB18.6QB1221/35197215-3182.7Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Bijan RobinsonATLRB29.8RB4RB16760117921Start/Sit →
Kyle PittsATLTE18.7TE3TE———97571
Elijah HigginsARITE16.1TE6TE———87910Start/Sit →
Michael WilsonARIWR13.2WR25WR———32521Start/Sit →
Tyler AllgeierATLRB8.3RB38RB1679011-60Start/Sit →
Trey McBrideARITE6.7TE21TE———84270Start/Sit →
Michael CarterARIRB6.5RB45RB116502000Start/Sit →
Drake LondonATLWR5.7WR68WR———83270Start/Sit →
Darnell MooneyATLWR4.4WR79WR———22240Start/Sit →
Xavier WeaverARIWR3.9WR82WR———22190
Corey KinerARIRB3.2RB56RB6320————Start/Sit →
Emari DemercadoARIRB3.0RB57RB53001000Start/Sit →
Marvin HarrisonARIWR2.4WR95WR———31140
Charlie WoernerATLTE1.3TE61TE———1130Start/Sit →
David SillsATLWR0.0—WR———1000
Steven SimsARIWR0.0—WR———1000
Josiah DeguaraARITE0.0—TE———1000

Fantasy Usage

Atlanta Falcons

Snap Share

  1. Kyle PittsTE67 snaps87%
  2. Charlie WoernerTE57 snaps74%
  3. Darnell MooneyWR54 snaps70%
  4. Bijan RobinsonRB54 snaps70%
  5. Drake LondonWR53 snaps69%

Target Share33 targets

  1. Bijan Robinson33%, 11 targets
  2. Kyle Pitts27%, 9 targets
  3. Drake London24%, 8 targets
  4. Darnell Mooney6%, 2 targets
  5. David Sills3%, 1 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share37 carries

  1. Tyler Allgeier43%, 16 carries
  2. Bijan Robinson43%, 16 carries
  3. Kirk Cousins14%, 5 carries

Arizona Cardinals

Snap Share

  1. Trey McBrideTE55 snaps96%
  2. Michael WilsonWR49 snaps86%
  3. Elijah HigginsTE36 snaps63%
  4. Michael CarterRB30 snaps53%
  5. Marvin HarrisonWR29 snaps51%

Target Share29 targets

  1. Trey McBride28%, 8 targets
  2. Elijah Higgins28%, 8 targets
  3. Michael Wilson10%, 3 targets
  4. Marvin Harrison10%, 3 targets
  5. Michael Carter7%, 2 targets
  6. Other17%, 5 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Michael Carter48%, 11 carries
  2. Corey Kiner26%, 6 carries
  3. Emari Demercado22%, 5 carries
  4. Jacoby Brissett4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Trey McBrideARITE5596%828%0
Kyle PittsATLTE6787%927%0
Michael WilsonARIWR4986%310%0
Charlie WoernerATLTE5774%13%0
Darnell MooneyATLWR5470%26%0
Bijan RobinsonATLRB5470%1133%16
Drake LondonATLWR5369%824%0
Elijah HigginsARITE3663%828%0
Michael CarterARIRB3053%27%11
Marvin HarrisonARIWR2951%310%0
Xavier WeaverARIWR2544%27%0
David SillsATLWR3242%13%0
Tyler AllgeierATLRB3140%13%16
Emari DemercadoARIRB1832%13%5
Teagan QuitorianoATLTE1925%00%0
Corey KinerARIRB916%00%6
Josiah DeguaraARITE814%13%0
Pharaoh BrownARITE712%00%0
Steven SimsARIWR712%13%0
Chris BlairATLWR912%00%0
Jalen BrooksARIWR35%00%0
Feleipe FranksATLTE23%00%0
Deven ThompkinsATLWR23%00%0
Dylan DrummondATLWR23%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Bijan RobinsonATL · RB29.829.1+0.770%43% car—01643%1132%
Kirk CousinsATL · QB18.618.8−0.2100%35 att—35514%00%
Kyle Pitts Sr.ATL · TE18.715.3+3.487%26% tgt—000%926%
Jacoby BrissettARI · QB11.614.4−2.8100%31 att—3114%00%
Drake LondonATL · WR5.713.6−7.969%24% tgt—000%824%
Elijah HigginsARI · TE16.113.6+2.563%28% tgt—000%828%
Trey McBrideARI · TE6.713.6−6.996%28% tgt—000%828%
Tyler AllgeierATL · RB8.312.0−3.740%43% car—01643%13%
Michael CarterARI · RB6.510.5−4.053%48% car—01148%27%
Marvin Harrison Jr.ARI · WR2.45.1−2.751%10% tgt—000%310%
Michael WilsonARI · WR13.25.1+8.186%10% tgt—000%310%
Emari DemercadoARI · RB3.04.9−1.932%22% car—0522%13%
Corey KinerARI · RB3.23.9−0.716%26% car—0626%00%
Darnell MooneyATL · WR4.43.4+1.070%6% tgt—000%26%
Xavier WeaverARI · WR3.93.4+0.544%7% tgt—000%27%
Charlie WoernerATL · TE1.31.7−0.474%3% tgt—000%13%
David Sills VATL · WR0.01.7−1.742%3% tgt—000%13%
Jake MatthewsATL · —0.01.7−1.7—3% tgt—000%13%
Josiah DeguaraARI · TE0.01.7−1.714%3% tgt—000%13%
Steven SimsARI · WR0.01.7−1.712%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Falcons 34 targets and 37 carries; Cardinals 29 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kirk Cousins

ATL · QB · 18.6 pts on 18.8 expected

21 of 35 passing for 197 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 5 carries for -3 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Jacoby Brissett

ARI · QB · 11.6 pts on 14.4 expected

16 of 31 passing for 203 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 1 carry for 5 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Jacoby Brissett →

Bijan Robinson Strong role

ATL · RB · 29.8 pts on 29.1 expected

11 targets (32% of the team's), 7 catches for 92 yards and 1 touchdown; 16 carries (43% of the team's) for 76 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 29.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Bijan Robinson →

Kyle Pitts Sr.

ATL · TE · 18.7 pts on 15.3 expected

9 targets (26% of the team's), 7 catches for 57 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.3 expected.

Elijah Higgins

ARI · TE · 16.1 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (28% of the team's), 7 catches for 91 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Elijah Higgins →

Trey McBride Unlucky

ARI · TE · 6.7 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (28% of the team's), 4 catches for 27 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Trey McBride →

Drake London Unlucky

ATL · WR · 5.7 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 3 catches for 27 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Drake London →

Michael Wilson Ran hot

ARI · WR · 13.2 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 2 catches for 52 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Michael Wilson →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Atlanta Falcons

  • Stock up: Charlie Woerner played 74% of the snaps, up from a 50% season average.
  • Stock down: Drake London played 69% of the snaps, down from a 92% season average.

Arizona Cardinals

  • Stock up: Elijah Higgins played 63% of the snaps, up from a 39% season average.
  • Stock down: Marvin Harrison Jr. played 51% of the snaps, down from a 77% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Falcons defense and Cardinals defense
Points allowed toFalcons DCardinals D
QBs16.917.6
RBs21.325.7
WRs32.930.2
TEs10.116.9

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Arizona opened at 43% win probability and fell below 2% in the fourth quarter.

Cardinals win probability

Cardinals win probability by game minuteCardinals started at 43%, stood at 45% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +21Brissett → Wilson, 32-yd TD53% → 73%Q1 7:43
  2. −22Cousins → Robinson, 13-yd TD77% → 54%Q2 11:56
  3. −24Cousins → Pitts, 5-yd TD69% → 45%Q2 0:25
  4. −14Gonzalez 40-yd FG45% → 32%Q3 7:25
  5. −24Cousins 1-yd TD run28% → 4%Q4 12:28

Swing in Cardinals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Falcons vs Cardinals
Atlanta FalconsMeasureArizona Cardinals
73Plays56
49%Pass rate59%
5.3Yds / dropback5.7
4.1Yds / carry5.7
7/14Third downs7/13

Efficiency edge Atlanta ran 17 more plays than Arizona.

  • Top targets
  • ATL Robinson 32% · Pitts 26% · London 24%
  • ARI Higgins 28% · McBride 28% · Harrison 10%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Falcons vs Cardinals
ResultATLARI
Touchdowns31
Field goals24
Punts01
Turnovers21
Turnovers on downs10
Missed field goals02

ARI turnover edge: +1

  • The Cardinals opened the scoring on their first possession, a 7-play, 29-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Falcons drained the clock with two second-half drives of six to eight minutes.
All 18 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
ARIQ1 15:007292:14Field goal
ATLQ1 12:469262:53Interception
ARIQ1 9:535552:10Touchdown
ATLQ1 7:4311345:26Field goal
ARIQ1 2:178423:50Field goal
ATLQ2 13:273651:31Touchdown
ARIQ2 11:5613596:54Field goal
ATLQ2 5:0214604:37Touchdown
ARIQ2 0:254380:25Missed FG
ATLQ3 15:0013447:35Field goal
ARIQ3 7:258473:43Missed FG
ATLQ3 3:4212666:14Touchdown
ARIQ4 12:283-51:45Punt
ATLQ4 10:435203:23Fumble
ARIQ4 7:2010372:43Field goal
ATLQ4 4:376262:32Downs
ARIQ4 2:054180:42Interception
ATLQ4 1:232-61:23End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Falcons vs Cardinals Head-to-Head

The Falcons and Cardinals first met in 1966 and have played 35 times since.

All-time series
18–17Cardinals lead, 35 meetings since 1966
Postseason
1–0Cardinals won in 2008
Largest Falcons win
41–72010
Largest Cardinals win
32–101973

Since 2021

2–1 Falcons lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. F = Falcons win, C = Cardinals win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Falcons vs Cardinals
FalconsStatCardinals
8-9Record3-14
20.8Points per game20.9
333.0Yards per game325.8
5.4Yards per play5.2
23.6Points allowed per game28.7
326.6Yards allowed per game357.7

Falcons vs Cardinals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
ATL −2.5Falcons covered by 4.5
Total
48.5Under: 45 points scored (by 3.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Falcons25.526+0.5
Cardinals23.019−4.0

The Falcons beat their implied total and the Cardinals fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Falcons 1–1 ATS, unders 2–0.

Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Atlanta Falcons

Against the spread
2–2
Over/under
3–1
ATS as favorite
1–1
ATS as underdog
1–1
ATS on the road
2–1

Arizona Cardinals

Against the spread
1–3
Over/under
2–2
ATS as underdog
1–3
ATS at home
0–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Falcons and Cardinals in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Falcon or a Cardinal, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Falcons vs Cardinals Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Falcons vs Cardinals Week 16 game?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Arizona Cardinals 26–19 in Week 16 of the 2025 season. The game was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, on December 21, 2025. See the Falcons' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Falcons vs Cardinals?

The final score was Falcons 26, Cardinals 19. The teams were tied 16–16 at halftime, and the second half went Falcons 10, Cardinals 3.

What happened in the Falcons vs Cardinals game?

Atlanta broke a 16–16 halftime tie, outscoring Arizona 10–3 after the break to win 26–19. The Falcons finished with a narrow 342–320 edge in total offense. Bijan Robinson led all players with 7 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 76 rushing yards. The Falcons committed 2 turnovers, the Cardinals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Falcons vs Cardinals?

Bijan Robinson led the game with 29.8 PPR fantasy points, the RB4 of Week 16, on 7 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 76 rushing yards. Kyle Pitts was next with 18.7 (TE3). See Bijan Robinson's 2025 game log.

Who led Falcons vs Cardinals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jacoby Brissett (ARI) led all passers with 16 of 31 for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Tyler Allgeier (ATL) led in rushing with 16 carries for 79 yards. Bijan Robinson (ATL) led in receiving with 7 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Bijan Robinson score against the Cardinals?

Bijan Robinson scored 29.8 points in PPR leagues, 26.3 in half-PPR and 22.8 in standard scoring against the Cardinals in Week 16 of the 2025 season, on 7 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, plus 16 carries for 76 rushing yards. He drew 32% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Falcons vs Cardinals?

Michael Wilson outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 13.2 PPR points on 5.1 xFP (+8.1). Drake London fell furthest short, with 5.7 points on 13.6 xFP (−7.9). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Falcons come back to beat the Cardinals?

The Falcons' chances of winning fell as low as 23% in the first half. Kirk Cousins' 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts Sr. in the second quarter was the biggest swing of the game. They finished the comeback with a 26–19 win.

Which team won the turnover battle in Falcons vs Cardinals?

The Cardinals won the turnover battle 2–1: the Falcons gave the ball away 2 times and the Cardinals 1 time. The Falcons won the game anyway.

What is the all-time Falcons vs Cardinals record?

The Cardinals lead the all-time series 18–17 across 35 meetings since 1966, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Falcons and Cardinals last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2025, they last met in the 2023 season on November 12, 2023, when the Cardinals beat the Falcons 25–23.

Have the Falcons and Cardinals met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2008 playoffs. The Falcons are 0–1 against the Cardinals in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Falcons vs Cardinals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Falcons −2.5, making the Atlanta Falcons 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 48.5. That implied about 25.5 points for the Falcons and 23.0 for the Cardinals.

Did Falcons vs Cardinals go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 48.5, and the teams combined for 45 points, 3.5 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Falcons vs Cardinals?

The Falcons covered by 4.5 against the closing line of Falcons −2.5. The final margin was 7 points.