The Cardinals vs Bengals matchup brings together the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals, two NFL franchises with a history of competitive regular-season meetings. Their head-to-head record, previous results, scoring totals, and home-and-away performances provide a useful way to understand how these teams compare.
The most recent meeting took place on December 28, 2025, when Cincinnati defeated Arizona 37–14 at Paycor Stadium. That result extended the Bengals’ advantage in the all-time regular-season series to eight wins against six for the Cardinals.
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This guide separates historical head-to-head statistics from the teams’ current 2026 season results. It also examines previous meetings, scoring trends, team styles, and player statistics, using published records rather than estimated or invented numbers.
Quick Answer: Cardinals vs Bengals
- Teams: Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- League: National Football League (NFL)
- Most recent meeting: December 28, 2025
- Latest result: Bengals 37, Cardinals 14
- All-time regular-season record: Bengals lead 8–6
- Total meetings recorded: 14 regular-season games
- Combined points across those meetings: Bengals 368, Cardinals 331
- Most recent venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- 2026 season context: The teams’ current-season records must be considered separately from their historical head-to-head results.
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The key takeaway is that Cincinnati holds the historical advantage, but the overall record includes games played across different seasons, rosters, coaching staffs, and competitive circumstances.
1. All-Time Head-to-Head Record
The official historical comparison lists 14 regular-season meetings between Cincinnati and Arizona through their December 2025 game. Cincinnati has won eight, while Arizona has won six. Neither team has recorded a tie in those meetings.
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| Head-to-head statistic | Cincinnati Bengals | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Games played | 14 | 14 |
| Wins | 8 | 6 |
| Losses | 6 | 8 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Points scored | 368 | 331 |
| Average points per meeting | 26.3 | 23.6 |
| Total point difference | +37 | -37 |
Source: Pro-Football-Reference and Stathead regular-season records, through December 28, 2025. Averages and point difference are calculated from the published totals.
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Cincinnati’s advantage is meaningful, but it is not overwhelming. The six victories recorded by Arizona show that the Cardinals have also been capable of winning this matchup, including in games played on Cincinnati’s home field.
The scoring totals provide additional context. The Bengals have accumulated 37 more points across the 14 meetings. That is an average advantage of approximately 2.6 points per game, although the margin varies considerably from one meeting to another.
It is also important to distinguish regular-season records from playoff records. The listed series contains no postseason meetings, so the 8–6 figure should not be presented as a combined regular-season and playoff record.
2. Previous Meetings and Match Results
The teams have met periodically rather than every season. Their latest eight meetings, from 2000 through 2025, show four Arizona victories and four Cincinnati victories before considering the older games in the full series.
The most recent result, however, was a decisive Bengals win.
| Date | Venue | Final score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 28, 2025 | Cincinnati | Bengals 37–14 Cardinals | Bengals |
| Oct. 8, 2023 | Arizona | Bengals 34–20 Cardinals | Bengals |
| Oct. 6, 2019 | Cincinnati | Cardinals 26–23 Bengals | Cardinals |
| Nov. 22, 2015 | Arizona | Cardinals 34–31 Bengals | Cardinals |
| Dec. 24, 2011 | Cincinnati | Bengals 23–16 Cardinals | Bengals |
| Nov. 18, 2007 | Cincinnati | Cardinals 35–27 Bengals | Cardinals |
| Nov. 2, 2003 | Arizona | Cardinals 17–14 Bengals | Cardinals |
| Dec. 3, 2000 | Cincinnati | Bengals 24–13 Cardinals | Bengals |
Source: Stathead’s historical game table. Team scores are shown in winner-first format; venues reflect the listed home team.
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Several patterns stand out.
- Cincinnati’s recent advantage: The Bengals won both the 2023 and 2025 meetings.
- Arizona’s earlier success: The Cardinals won the 2015 and 2019 games, both of which were decided by a field goal.
- Close contests: The 2015, 2019, 2003, and 2011 results were decided by seven points or fewer.
- A decisive latest result: Cincinnati won by 23 points in December 2025.
These results demonstrate why a head-to-head record should be read alongside individual scores. A team can lead the historical series without dominating every encounter.
3. The December 28, 2025 Game: What Happened?
The latest Cardinals-Bengals game was a Week 17 regular-season matchup played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Cincinnati won 37–14 after establishing control in the first three quarters.
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Quarter-by-quarter scoring
| Quarter | Arizona Cardinals | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| First | 0 | 7 |
| Second | 7 | 16 |
| Third | 0 | 14 |
| Fourth | 7 | 0 |
| Final | 14 | 37 |
The Bengals scored in every quarter except the fourth. Their 16-point second quarter created a substantial advantage, and another 14 points in the third pushed the lead to 37–7.
Arizona scored a touchdown in the second quarter and another late in the fourth. Nevertheless, the Cardinals could not recover from the scoring gap built earlier in the game.
Important scoring plays
- Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 13-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
- Samaje Perine scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
- Chase caught a second touchdown pass, this time for eight yards.
- Chase Brown scored two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter.
- Michael Wilson and Trey McBride caught Arizona’s two touchdown passes.
These scoring plays are documented in the published box score.
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The result reflected Cincinnati’s ability to combine passing production with an effective rushing attack. Arizona generated two passing touchdowns of its own, but those scores came too late to make the contest competitive again.
4. Team Statistics From the Latest Match
The final score tells only part of the story. The official Arizona Cardinals box score shows that Cincinnati gained considerably more total net yards and controlled possession for much longer.
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| Match statistic | Cardinals | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 14 | 37 |
| Total net yards | 233 | 429 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 329 |
| Rushing yards | 42 | 120 |
| Time of possession | 19:04 | 40:56 |
| Penalties | 6 | 5 |
| Penalty yards | 51 | 38 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 | 3 |
Source: Arizona Cardinals’ official Week 17 box score and published game statistics. Passing yards for Cincinnati include both quarterbacks; team totals may reflect net-yardage conventions.
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Why the numbers matter
Total offense: Cincinnati finished with 429 total net yards, compared with Arizona’s 233. That 196-yard gap is a strong indicator of how much more consistently the Bengals moved the ball.
Passing efficiency: Burrow completed 24 of 31 passes for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Cincinnati’s second quarterback, Joe Flacco, added 24 passing yards. Meanwhile, Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett completed 21 of 37 attempts for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
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Rushing production: Cincinnati rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona managed 42 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns. The Bengals therefore had an additional scoring route that the Cardinals did not establish in this game.
Possession: Cincinnati held the ball for 40 minutes and 56 seconds, while Arizona had possession for 19 minutes and four seconds. This major difference helped the Bengals sustain drives and limited the Cardinals’ opportunities to respond.
Penalties: Arizona was penalized six times for 51 yards, while Cincinnati had five penalties for 38 yards. Although the Cardinals lost more yardage to penalties, the difference was smaller than the gap in total offense and possession.
Taken together, the statistics suggest that Cincinnati’s victory came from sustained offensive production rather than one isolated big play.
5. Key Player Statistics From the Latest Meeting
Individual performances help explain how the game developed. The following figures are specific to the December 28, 2025 game and should not be confused with season totals or career statistics.
Passing performance
| Player | Team | Completions/Attempts | Passing yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | Bengals | 24/31 | 305 | 2 | 0 |
| Joe Flacco | Bengals | 3/5 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacoby Brissett | Cardinals | 21/37 | 212 | 2 | 0 |
Source: published game box score.
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Burrow’s 305 passing yards gave Cincinnati a clear advantage through the air. Brissett also threw two touchdown passes without an interception, but Arizona’s lower passing-yardage total and limited rushing production restricted the offense overall.
Rushing performance
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing yards | Rushing TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Brown | Bengals | 22 | 101 | 2 |
| Tahj Brooks | Bengals | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Samaje Perine | Bengals | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| Michael Carter | Cardinals | 7 | 29 | 0 |
| Emari Demercado | Cardinals | 5 | 11 | 0 |
| Corey Kiner | Cardinals | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Source: game rushing statistics.
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Brown’s 101 yards and two touchdowns were especially important. He supplied a powerful ground-game contribution, while Perine added another rushing score. Arizona’s listed running backs did not score on the ground.
Receiving performance
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | Receiving TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ja’Marr Chase | Bengals | 7 | 60 | 2 |
| Michael Wilson | Cardinals | 5 | 89 | 1 |
| Trey McBride | Cardinals | 10 | 76 | 1 |
Source: published receiving statistics.
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Chase delivered two touchdown catches, making his contribution particularly valuable despite Wilson recording more receiving yards. McBride led Arizona in receptions, with 10 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
These figures illustrate an important point: the player with the most receiving yards is not necessarily the player who has the biggest effect on the final score. Touchdowns, timing, and the overall offensive situation also matter.
6. Recent Form and 2026 NFL Season Context
Historical meetings explain the rivalry, but recent form provides a separate picture of how the teams are performing now. As of October 13, 2026, both franchises have completed five regular-season games.
Cincinnati entered its Week 6 bye with a 3–2 record, while Arizona had a 1–4 record following its October 11 loss to Detroit. These are current-season results, not head-to-head records.
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Cincinnati Bengals: first five games
| Date | Opponent | Result | Record after game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 13, 2026 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Won 33–27 | 1–0 |
| Sept. 20, 2026 | Houston Texans | Won 20–6 | 2–0 |
| Sept. 27, 2026 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Lost 27–30 | 2–1 |
| Oct. 4, 2026 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Lost 17–22 | 2–2 |
| Oct. 11, 2026 | Miami Dolphins | Won 31–24 | 3–2 |
Source: official NFL and Bengals schedules.
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Cincinnati began the season with two consecutive victories, then lost two close games before defeating Miami. The latest win was particularly notable for quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw four touchdown passes against the Dolphins. Reuters reported that Ja’Marr Chase caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in that game.
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The Bengals’ opening five games show both offensive potential and inconsistency. Their record improved to 3–2 after Week 5, but the two defeats demonstrate that their early-season performance has not been flawless.
Arizona Cardinals: first five games
| Date | Opponent | Result | Record after game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 13, 2026 | Los Angeles Chargers | Won 26–14 | 1–0 |
| Sept. 20, 2026 | Seattle Seahawks | Lost 7–31 | 1–1 |
| Sept. 27, 2026 | San Francisco 49ers | Lost 30–36 | 1–2 |
| Oct. 4, 2026 | New York Giants | Lost 24–36 | 1–3 |
| Oct. 11, 2026 | Detroit Lions | Lost 21–45 | 1–4 |
Source: official Arizona Cardinals schedule.
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Arizona started with a win against the Chargers but then suffered four consecutive defeats. The Cardinals scored 30 points against San Francisco and 24 against the Giants, yet those offensive totals were not enough to secure victories.
The latest game against Detroit ended in a 45–21 loss. That result left Arizona at 1–4 through five games.
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Comparing the current records
| Statistic through Week 5, 2026 | Bengals | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 3 | 1 |
| Losses | 2 | 4 |
| Games played | 5 | 5 |
| Winning percentage | .600 | .200 |
| Most recent result | Won 31–24 | Lost 21–45 |
Winning percentages are calculated from the published win-loss records.
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Cincinnati has the stronger start based on wins and losses. However, these records alone do not establish which team would win a future meeting. Opponents, injuries, venue, quarterback availability, and matchup-specific performance can all change the outcome.
Also, the 2026 results should not be combined with the 2025 head-to-head game to create a misleading current rivalry record. They measure different things: one describes each team’s season, while the other compares their direct meetings.
7. Home and Away Performance
Home-field advantage is another useful part of the Cardinals-Bengals comparison. Cincinnati plays at Paycor Stadium in Ohio, while Arizona’s home venue is State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The latest meeting took place in Cincinnati, where the Bengals won 37–14. In the 2023 meeting, played in Arizona, Cincinnati also won, 34–20. The Cardinals had won the previous two meetings in the series, in 2015 and 2019.
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Those results show that Cincinnati has won recent games at both venues. Nevertheless, the full series does not justify treating the location of a future game as a guaranteed advantage for either side.
What to compare in home and away records
- Home scoring: Points scored by a team in games played at its own stadium.
- Away scoring: Points scored while playing at an opponent’s stadium.
- Defensive performance: Points conceded in home and away games.
- Turnover margin: Whether the team wins or loses the turnover battle.
- Possession and efficiency: Whether the offense sustains drives away from home as effectively as it does at home.
For a fair comparison, use the same season and the same number of games where possible. A team’s overall record may hide a significant difference between its home and away results.
The historical Cardinals-Bengals matchup has been played in both Arizona and Cincinnati, but a complete venue-by-venue win-loss breakdown is not necessary to establish the verified 8–6 overall series record. Where a full split has not been independently confirmed, it is better not to invent one.
8. Tactical Comparison: Passing, Rushing, and Defense
The December 2025 game provides a concrete example of how the teams’ offensive approaches differed.
Cincinnati gained 329 passing yards, including Burrow’s 305, and added 120 rushing yards. Arizona recorded 212 passing yards and 42 rushing yards. The Bengals also scored three rushing touchdowns, while Arizona scored none on the ground.
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Passing game
Cincinnati’s passing offense generated more yards per attempt in the latest matchup. Burrow completed 24 of 31 passes, while Arizona’s Brissett completed 21 of 37. Both quarterbacks threw two touchdowns or were credited with two touchdown passes for their teams, and neither threw an interception in the recorded game statistics.
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The key distinction was not simply touchdown count. Cincinnati created more passing yardage from fewer attempts by Burrow, helping the offense move efficiently down the field.
Rushing game
The ground game gave Cincinnati an additional advantage. Brown gained 101 yards on 22 carries, and the Bengals’ running backs accounted for all three of the team’s rushing touchdowns. Arizona’s listed running backs combined for 42 rushing yards.
A productive running game can help an offense maintain possession, create manageable third downs, and reduce pressure on the quarterback. Cincinnati’s 40:56 possession time in this game was consistent with its ability to keep drives going.
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Defensive performance
The available box score shows that Arizona did not intercept either Cincinnati quarterback. The Bengals also avoided interceptions from their own quarterbacks. However, a complete evaluation of defensive quality requires more than interceptions and points allowed in one game.
Useful defensive measures include sacks, quarterback pressures, third-down conversion rate allowed, red-zone stops, and turnovers forced. Those figures should be compared across the same period before drawing a broader conclusion about which defense is stronger.
Statistical conclusion: Cincinnati’s advantage in the latest game is clear in total yards, rushing production, and possession time. One matchup, however, cannot establish that the Bengals will always outperform Arizona in those categories.
9. Important Match Facts and Statistical Takeaways
For readers checking the most important Cardinals vs Bengals facts, the following summary separates established historical numbers from match-specific statistics and current-season results.
- Historical series leader: Cincinnati leads 8–6 in 14 regular-season meetings.
- Latest meeting: Cincinnati defeated Arizona 37–14 on December 28, 2025.
- Latest game’s leading passer: Joe Burrow threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
- Top rushing performance: Chase Brown gained 101 rushing yards and scored twice.
- Arizona’s leading receiver by yards: Michael Wilson recorded 89 receiving yards and one touchdown.
- Arizona’s reception leader: Trey McBride caught 10 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.
- Biggest team-stat difference in the latest game: Cincinnati gained 429 total net yards, compared with Arizona’s 233.
- 2026 season records through October 11: Cincinnati was 3–2, while Arizona was 1–4.
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These facts are useful for comparing the franchises, reviewing the latest direct matchup, or preparing a statistical preview. However, they should not be treated as a prediction for a future game.
Which statistics matter most?
When comparing these teams in a future matchup, prioritize the following measures:
| Category | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Passing yards per attempt | Shows how effectively the offense gains yards through the air |
| Rushing yards per carry | Helps measure ground-game efficiency |
| Turnover margin | Highlights possession-changing mistakes and defensive takeaways |
| Third-down conversion rate | Measures the ability to sustain drives |
| Red-zone touchdown rate | Shows how often scoring opportunities become touchdowns |
| Points allowed per game | Provides context for defensive performance |
| Home and away record | Helps reveal performance differences by venue |
The most informative analysis combines several statistics instead of relying on one number. For example, passing yards alone do not reveal whether an offense converted third downs, protected the football, or scored efficiently in the red zone.
10. Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinals vs Bengals
1. Who has won more games between the Cardinals and Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals lead the regular-season head-to-head series with eight wins, compared with six for the Arizona Cardinals, through their December 28, 2025 meeting.
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2. What was the score of the latest Cardinals vs Bengals game?
Cincinnati defeated Arizona 37–14 on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The game was part of the 2025 NFL regular season.
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3. How many points have the Bengals scored against the Cardinals?
Across 14 regular-season meetings through December 2025, Cincinnati scored 368 points. Arizona scored 331 points in the same series.
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4. How did Joe Burrow perform against Arizona in the latest game?
Burrow completed 24 of 31 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, in Cincinnati’s 37–14 victory on December 28, 2025.
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5. Which player led the rushing game in the latest matchup?
Cincinnati running back Chase Brown led all listed rushers with 101 yards on 22 carries and two rushing touchdowns.
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6. What are the Cardinals and Bengals’ 2026 records?
Through Week 5 of the 2026 regular season, the Bengals were 3–2 and the Cardinals were 1–4. Cincinnati defeated Miami 31–24 on October 11, while Arizona lost 45–21 to Detroit that day.
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7. Have the Cardinals and Bengals played each other in the playoffs?
The published head-to-head record lists 14 regular-season meetings and no playoff meetings between these franchises. Therefore, the 8–6 record refers to regular-season games, not postseason contests.
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8. What is the best way to compare Cardinals vs Bengals statistics before a game?
Start with each team’s current-season record, recent results, passing and rushing efficiency, defensive performance, and injury reports. Then review the historical head-to-head record for context. Always verify the latest official team reports and game-day information before relying on projected lineups or player availability.
Conclusion
The Cardinals vs Bengals series currently favors Cincinnati, which leads 8–6 across 14 regular-season meetings. The Bengals also won the latest matchup 37–14 in December 2025, recording more total yards, rushing production, and possession time. Meanwhile, the 2026 season records show different early-season results for the franchises. Historical statistics provide valuable context, but current form and verified game-day information remain essential when evaluating a future meeting.
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