How the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Christmas

Ryan Succop made a 40-yard field goal with 3:41 left in overtime, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent the Arizona Cardinals to their eighth straight defeat Sunday night at State Farm Stadium.

Cardinals fans seemed to sense another loss as the Buccaneers drove into Arizona territory in overtime. And field goal validated that decision, as Tom Brady led a 66-yard drive for the game-winning kick.

It was a heartbreaker for the Cardinals, who played well on defense but couldn't stop Brady from completing passes in overtime.

This was the Cardinals' last home game of the 2022 season. They went 1-7 at State Farm Stadium.

Trace McSorley completed 24 of 45 passes for 217 yards, with one interception. James Conner rushed for 79 yards on 15 carries, with one touchdown. Greg Dortch had 10 catches for 98 yards. Isaiah Simmons was all over the field with 11 total tackles.

The Cardinals intercepted Brady twice, but lost two fumbles. Two games remain in a dreadful season.

Overtime it is

After the Cardinals defense forced a late punt, the offense could not get ball past midfield. Trace McSorley's "Hail Mary" didn't reach the end zone and was intercepted to run out the regulation game clock.

The Cardinals are in overtime for the second time this season. They won at Las Vegas in Week Two.

Fumble again

Trace McSorley attempted a pitch that was behind running back Keaontay Ingram and fumbled away for a turnover. The Cardinals defense forces a Tampa Bay field goal and the game is tied at 16 with 2:27 to play.

Fans must be feeling a million different emotions.

Former Sun Devil scores

Former Arizona State running back Rachaad White, a rookie, caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 8:07 to play, and Tampa Bay trailed 16-13.

Can the Cardinals finish for the win? Can thery keep Brady from getting hot down the stretch?

Touchdown Cardinals, touchdown Conner

James Conner broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run with 10:47 to play in the game, and the Cardinals took a 16-6 lead.

Conner has six rushing TDs in his last six games. The Cardinals have controlled Tom Brady and have a rare lead.

As this was typed, Leonard Fournette ran 44 yards or the Bucs.

Big play sets up Prater's third FG

Matt Prater has his third made field goal of the game, equaling the three he made last week, and the Cardinals took a 9-6 lead with 14:07 left in the game.

The points were set up by a 47-yard McSorley-to-Hollywood Brown completion . It tied for the longest pass completion of the season for Arizona.

Two for Marco Wilson

After an interception in the first half, the Cardinals' Marco Wilson got another, leaping as the ball approached the sideline and pulling down a Tom Brady throw for Mike Evans.

The Cardinals defense was worn down in the second half last week at Denver. Let's see if it can hold up against the Bucs.

In-game report: Kyler Murray surgery set

NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark reported during Sunday's game that Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will have knee surgery on Jan. 3, 2023. His recovery from a torn ACL could take nine months and will be performed by the Dallas Cowboys' team doctor.

Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said earlier this month that Murray's procedure would take place after Christmas.

This will be updated after the game.

Prater and the post

Cardinals kicker Matt Prater has his second made field of the game, another 50-yarder (53 yards). The Cardinals and Buccaneers went into the half tied at 6.

The kick hit the left upright and went through.

Trace McSorley is 10 of 21 for 79 yards and a fumble off a sack. Greg Dortch is a big part of the game plan with five catches for 64 yards. DeAndre Hopkins - no catches on five targets.

A big INT for Wilson

Cardinals second-year cornerback Marco Wilson intercepted Tom Brady and kept the ball as he came off the field. That's Wilson's second pick of the season. It came at a time when the Buccaneers were on the move.

Two penalties hurt Bucs

An illegal shift penalty negated a Brady touchdown pass to Julio Jones, and right after, a holding penalty canceled a first down for Tampa Bay. They end up with a field goal for a 6-3 lead with 8:14 left in the second quarter.

Cardinals lose DL Hill

Fourth-year defensive lineman Trysten Hill was carted off with 10:37 left in the second quarter after he appeared to be injured on a quarterback sneak by Brady.

That hurts the Cardinals' defensive line depth. Hill was announced as out of the game with a knee injury.

56 and good for Prater

The Cardinals tied the game on Matt Prater's 56-yard field goal. After Prater made all three field goals in Denver, he connected on Sunday, and it's 3-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Prater has hit from 64 yards for an NFL record in the past. So he has the leg.

Three straight no gains

Arizona's defense made a big stand after a turnover, stopping Tampa Bay on second-, third- and fourth-and-1 to force a turnover on downs. Markus Golden, J.J. Watt and Tanner Vallejo were the tacklers on those carries by Leonard Fournette. The Cardinals took over near midfield.

Sack, fumble, Bucs ball

The Cardinals were set up for at least a field goal , but disaster struck when Tampa Bay linebacker Anthony Nelson hit McSorley and caused a fumble. Devin White picked up the loose ball and the Bucs are in possession after the turnover with 7:38 left in the first quarter. Nelson was unblocked, let loose when Cardinals left tackle Josh Jones didn't get a body on him.

Trick play success

On fourth-and-2 in Trace McSorley's first drive in his first career NFL start, the Cardinals tried a fake punt with punter Andy Lee hitting linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill with a completion for four yards and a first down. The Cardinals are in field goal range, energized by the trick play.

Brady misses open receiver

Tom Brady has made a career of hitting open receivers, but he missed Julio Jones in the end zone working against Cardinals rookie cornerback Christian Matthew. The Buccaneers settled for a field goal after a good drive to open the game.

Brady tested the Cardinals defensive backs right away and got a pass interference call on the first play of the game from scrimmage.

Defensive starters

The Cardinals' defensive starters were announced and allowed to run onto the field before Sunday's game. They are cornerback Marco Wilson, cornerback Antonio Hamilton (ran the tunnel with teammate Christian Matthew again), defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter, defensive lineman Leki Fotu, linebacker Tanner Vallejo, linebacker Zaven Collins, linebacker Isaiah Simmons, linebacker Markus Golden (with rookie Myjai Sanders), safety Jalen Thompson, defensive lineman J.J. Watt and Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker.

The Cardinals were on defense to start the game.

Inactives

The Cardinals announced their player inactives for Sunday's game.

Antonio Hamilton's return gives the Cardinals he, Marco Wilson and Christian Matthew as the main cornerbacks. That should help Arizona's defense against Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.

The hope is that defensive lineman Zach Allen can come back from a hand injury before the season ends, but with the Cardinals not going to the postseason, that could be re-evaluated.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How the Arizona Cardinals lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Christmas