The Detroit Lions defeated the Arizona Cardinals 45-21 on Sunday behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns, turning an early deficit into a convincing Week 5 road victory. Detroit scored 24 unanswered points in the second quarter at State Farm Stadium, taking control before halftime and improving to 3-2 in the 2026 NFL regular season.
For Arizona, a promising opening quarter gave way to a difficult afternoon in front of 60,968 fans in Glendale. The Cardinals fell to 1-4 despite three touchdown passes from Jacoby Brissett, whose production could not keep pace with Detroit’s scoring surge.
A Second-Quarter Swing Changes Everything
Arizona held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter, keeping Detroit off the scoreboard through the opening 15 minutes. That advantage disappeared during a second quarter in which the Lions outscored the Cardinals 24-0. By halftime, Detroit led 24-7, a 17-point cushion that completely changed the demands on Arizona’s offense.
The response after intermission mattered, too. Rather than allowing the Cardinals to turn the afternoon into a close contest, Detroit added 14 third-quarter points while Arizona managed seven. The Lions entered the fourth quarter ahead 38-14, leaving the home team facing a 24-point deficit.
Both teams scored seven points in the final period, preserving that margin. There was no fourth-quarter comeback or overtime finish: Detroit’s decisive work came in the middle quarters, and its final-quarter scoring kept Arizona from gaining ground.
Key Performers
Jahmyr Gibbs — 25 CAR, 151 YDS, 2 TD. Gibbs led the game in rushing, averaging 6.04 yards per carry while handling a substantial workload. His two rushing touchdowns supplied 12 points before extra-point attempts, and his combination of volume and efficiency gave Detroit a productive foundation on the road.
Sam LaPorta — 5 REC, 88 YDS, 1 TD. LaPorta finished as the game’s receiving-yardage leader, averaging 17.6 yards per reception. The tight end’s touchdown and production complemented Gibbs’ ground game, giving the Lions standout contributions in both rushing and receiving.
Jacoby Brissett — 29/47, 292 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT. Brissett led the game in passing yards and completed 61.7% of his attempts. His three touchdown throws accounted for all of Arizona’s touchdowns, but the interception was a turnover on a day when the Cardinals needed more scoring opportunities. The supplied data does not identify when that interception occurred or whether Detroit scored afterward.
NerdSports Stat: Detroit outscored Arizona 38-7 across the second and third quarters, producing 84.4% of its total points during that 30-minute stretch.
What Comes Next
Detroit earned its first road win of the season and moved above .500, strengthening its footing as the NFC North race develops. The Lions next host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 25, at 1:25 PM PDT. Arizona hosts the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 18, at 1:05 PM PDT, with an NFC West matchup offering an immediate opportunity to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit Lions defeated Arizona Cardinals 45-21 on October 11, 2026.
Detroit’s passing leader and quarterback statistics are not included in the supplied game data.
No. Detroit won 45-21 in regulation.
Detroit Lions is now 3-2; Arizona Cardinals is 1-4.
Detroit hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 1:25 PM PDT.
