NFL team season
The 1996 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 98th season, 77th in the National Football League and ninth in Arizona. The team improved upon their previous output of 4–12, winning seven games.[1] Despite this improvement, the Cardinals failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourteenth consecutive season.
The low point of the season was providing a notorious New York Jets team with its only win in front of fewer than thirty thousand people. This was the first time the Cardinals had opposed the Jets since 1978.[2] The reason for this is that before the admission of the Texans in 2002, NFL scheduling formulas for games outside a team’s division were much more influenced by table position during the previous season.[3]
This was Boomer Esiason's only season with the Cardinals as he would re-sign with the Cincinnati Bengals after this season.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
1996 Arizona Cardinals staff | Front office - President – Bill Bidwill
- Vice president – Larry Wilson
- Assistant general manager – Joe Woolley
- Assistant to the president – Bob Ferguson
- Director of pro scouting – Keith Kidd
- Director of college scouting – Bo Bolinger
Head coaches Offensive coaches | | | Defensive coaches Special teams coaches - Special teams – Al Everest
Strength and conditioning - Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
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Roster
1996 Arizona Cardinals final roster |
| Quarterbacks Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends | | Offensive linemen Defensive linemen | | Linebackers Defensive backs Special teams | | Reserve lists Practice squad 53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad Rookies in italics |
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
1 | September 1 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 13–20 | 0–1 | RCA Dome | 48,133 |
2 | September 8 | Miami Dolphins | L 10–38 | 0–2 | Sun Devil Stadium | 55,444 |
3 | September 15 | at New England Patriots | L 0–31 | 0–3 | Foxboro Stadium | 59,118 |
4 | September 22 | at New Orleans Saints | W 28–14 | 1–3 | Louisiana Superdome | 34,316 |
5 | September 29 | St. Louis Rams | W 31–28 (OT) | 2–3 | Sun Devil Stadium | 33,116 |
6 | Bye |
7 | October 13 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 3–17 | 2–4 | Texas Stadium | 64,096 |
8 | October 20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 13–9 | 3–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | 27,738 |
9 | October 27 | New York Jets | L 21–31 | 3–5 | Sun Devil Stadium | 28,088 |
10 | November 3 | at New York Giants | L 8–16 | 3–6 | Giants Stadium | 68,262 |
11 | November 10 | at Washington Redskins | W 37–34 | 4–6 | RFK Stadium | 51,929 |
12 | November 17 | New York Giants | W 31–23 | 5–6 | Sun Devil Stadium | 34,924 |
13 | November 24 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 36–30 | 6–6 | Sun Devil Stadium | 36,175 |
14 | December 1 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 17–41 | 6–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 45,767 |
15 | December 8 | Dallas Cowboys | L 6–10 | 6–8 | Sun Devil Stadium | 70,763 |
16 | December 15 | Washington Redskins | W 27–26 | 7–8 | Sun Devil Stadium | 34,260 |
17 | December 22 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 19–29 | 7–9 | Veterans Stadium | 63,658 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |
Game summaries
Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
Colts | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: September 1
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 48,133
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter - IND – Cary Blanchard 40-yard field goal. Colts 13–6.
- IND – Marvin Harrison 35-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 20–6.
- ARI – Boomer Esiason 2-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Colts 20–13.
| Top passers - ARI – Boomer Esiason – 25/38, 237 yards
- IND – Jim Harbaugh – 16/25, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers Top receivers - ARI – Larry Centers – 11 receptions, 108 yards
- IND – Marvin Harrison – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD
| |
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Dolphins | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: September 8
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C)
- Game attendance: 55,444
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 3-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 14–0.
- MIA – Lamar Thomas 20-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 21–0.
- MIA – Joe Nedney 36-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–0.
Third quarter - ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Dolphins 24–7.
- ARI – Greg Davis 26-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–10.
- MIA – Irving Spikes 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 31–10.
Fourth quarter - MIA – O.J. McDuffie 5-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 38–10.
| Top passers - MIA – Dan Marino – 14/23, 178 yards, 2 TD
- ARI – Kent Graham – 13/19, 133 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers - MIA – Irving Spikes – 11 rushes, 79 yards, TD
- ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 23 yards
Top receivers - MIA – Charles Jordan – 2 receptions, 51 yards
- ARI – Frank Sanders – 8 receptions, 81 yards
| |
Week 3: at New England Patriots
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Patriots | 7 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 31 |
at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: September 15
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
- Game attendance: 59,118
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - NE – Curtis Martin 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 14–0.
- NE – Ben Coates 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (kick failed). Patriots 20–0.
Third quarter - NE – Curtis Martin 7-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Drew Bledsoe–Curtis Martin pass). Patriots 28–0.
Fourth quarter - NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal. Patriots 31–0.
| Top passers - ARI – Kent Graham – 9/19, 111 yards, INT
- NE – Drew Bledsoe – 21/35, 221 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers - ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 31 yards
- NE – Curtis Martin – 27 rushes, 91 yards, TD
Top receivers - ARI – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 56 yards
- NE – Terry Glenn – 5 receptions, 66 yards
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Week 4: at New Orleans Saints
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
Saints | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: September 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 34,316
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter - ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
- NO – Brian Jones 11-yard blocked punt return (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–6.'
Third quarter - ARI – Rob Moore 20-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kent Graham–Rob Moore). Cardinals 14–7.
Fourth quarter - ARI – LeShon Johnson 56-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 21–7.'
- ARI – LeShon Johnson 70-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 28–7.'
- NO – Haywood Jeffires 23-yard pass from Jim Everett (Doug Brien kick). Cardinals 28–14.
| Top passers - ARI – Kent Graham – 11/25, 165 yards, TD
- NO – Jim Everett – 18/33, 164 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers - ARI – LeShon Johnson – 21 rushes, 214 yards, 2 TD
- NO – Ray Zellars – 12 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers - ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
- NO – Haywood Jeffires – 2 receptions, 31 yards, TD
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Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
Rams | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Cardinals | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: September 29
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
- Game attendance: 33,116
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - STL – Isaac Bruce 46-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 14–0.
- ARI – Rob Moore 24-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 14–7.
- STL – Eddie Kennison 34-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 21–7.
- ARI – LeShon Johnson 2-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 21–14.
Third quarter - STL – Isaac Bruce 49-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 28–14.
Fourth quarter - ARI – Larry Centers 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 28–21.
- ARI – Frank Sanders 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Tied 28–28.
Overtime - ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–28.
| Top passers - STL – Tony Banks – 10/17, 186 yards, 3 TD, INT
- ARI – Kent Graham – 37/58, 366 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers - STL – Harold Green – 10 rushes, 39 yards
- ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 97 yards
Top receivers - STL – Isaac Bruce – 4 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD
- ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 143 yards, TD
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Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 7: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
- Date: October 13
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,096
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter - DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 10–0.
Fourth quarter - ARI – Greg Davis 49-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–3.'
- DAL – Emmitt Smith 13-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 17–3.
| Top passers Top rushers - ARI – Larry Centers – 5 rushes, 24 yards
- DAL – Emmitt Smith – 21 rushes, 112 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers - ARI – Rob Moore – 3 receptions, 45 yards
- DAL – Michael Irvin – 5 receptions, 51 yards
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Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: October 20
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 27,738
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Greg Davis 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter Third quarter - TB – Michael Husted 41-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
- ARI – Greg Davis 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3.
Fourth quarter | Top passers - TB – Trent Dilfer – 22/35, 229 yards
- ARI – Kent Graham – 17/26, 146 yards, TD
Top rushers - TB – Reggie Brooks – 14 rushes, 43 yards
- ARI – Kent Graham – 5 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers - TB – Courtney Hawkins – 6 receptions, 74 yards
- ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 40 yards
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Week 9: vs. New York Jets
Week 9: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Jets | 3 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: October 27
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 28,088
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 34-yard pass from Frank Reich (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 10–0.
- NYJ – Richie Anderson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 17–0.
Third quarter Fourth quarter - NYJ – Adrian Murrell 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 24–14.
- ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 24–21.
- NYJ – Reggie Cobb 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 31–21.
| Top passers - NYJ – Frank Reich – 22/31, 254 yards, TD, 2 INT
- ARI – Kent Graham – 17/32, 255 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers - NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 31 rushes, 199 yards, TD
- ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 85 yards
Top receivers - NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
- ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 143 yards, TD
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Week 10: at New York Giants
Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Giants | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: November 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,096
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter - NYG – Brad Daluiso 32-yard field goal. Giants 6–0.'
Fourth quarter - NYG – Thomas Lewis 24-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 13–0.
- NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. Giants 16–0.'
- ARI – Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Boomer Esiason run). Giants 16–8.
| Top passers - ARI – Boomer Esiason – 20/40, 196 yards, TD, 2 INT
- NYG – Danny Kanell – 14/27, 128 yards, TD
Top rushers Top receivers - ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD
- NYG – Thomas Lewis – 7 receptions, 77 yards, TD
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Week 11: at Washington Redskins
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Kevin Butler 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.'
- WAS – Scott Blanton 53-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.'
Second quarter - WAS – Marc Logan 36-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 10–3.'
- ARI – Kevin Butler 39-yard field goal. Redskins 10–6.'
- ARI – Marcus Dowdell 64-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 13–10.
- WAS – Scott Blanton 24-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.'
Third quarter - WAS – Michael Westbrook 17-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 20–13.
- WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 27–13.'
Fourth quarter - ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Redskins 27–20.'
- WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 34–20.'
- ARI – Johnny McWilliams 13-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Redskins 34–27.
- ARI – Anthony Edwards 12-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 34–34.
Overtime - ARI – Kevin Butler 32-yard field goal. Cardinals 37–34.'
| Top passers - ARI – Boomer Esiason – 35/59, 522 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
- WAS – Gus Frerotte – 18/36, 212 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers - ARI – LeShon Johnson – 20 rushes, 65 yards
- WAS – Terry Allen – 31 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers - ARI – Marcus Dowdle – 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD
- WAS – Michael Westbrook – 6 receptions, 91 yards, TD
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Week 12: vs. New York Giants
Week 12: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 23 |
Cardinals | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: November 17
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 34,924
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
- ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–0.
Second quarter - NYG – Brad Daluiso 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–3.
- ARI – Frank Sanders 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 21–3.
- NYG – Brad Daluiso 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 21–6.
Third quarter - NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 4-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 21–13.
- ARI – LeShon Johnson 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 28–13.
Fourth quarter - NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 9-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 28–20.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 18-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–20.
- NYG – Brad Daluiso 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–23.
| Top passers - NYG – Dave Brown – 22/41, 262 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/27, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers - NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 13 rushes, 50 yards
- ARI – LeShon Johnson – 17 rushes, 48 yards, TD
Top receivers - NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 95 yards
- ARI – LeShon Johnson – 2 receptions, 50 yards
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Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles | 7 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 30 |
Cardinals | 3 | 10 | 3 | 20 | 36 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: November 24
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 36,175
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 21-yard field goal. Eagles 7–3.
Second quarter - PHI – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal. Eagles 10–3.
- ARI – Leeland McElroy 4-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 10–10.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10.
Third quarter - PHI – Gary Anderson 25-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13.
Fourth quarter - ARI – Pat Carter 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (pass failed). Cardinals 22–13.
- PHI – Ricky Watters 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 22–20.
- ARI – Larry Centers 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 29–20.
- PHI – Derrick Witherspoon 95-yard kickoff return (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 29–27.
- PHI – Gary Anderson 32-yard field goal. Eagles 30–29.
- ARI – Marcus Dowdell 24-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 36–30.
| Top passers - PHI – Ty Detmer – 21/38, 322 yards, INT
- ARI – Boomer Esiason – 24/43, 367 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers - PHI – Ricky Watters – 25 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD
- ARI – Larry Centers – 13 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers - PHI – Irving Fryar – 7 receptions, 131 yards
- ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 156 yards
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Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
Vikings | 3 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 41 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: December 1
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 45,767
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - MIN – Scott Sisson 26-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0.'
- MIN – Amp Lee 19-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 13–0.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 38-yard field goal. Vikings 13–3.'
Third quarter - MIN – Jake Reed 40-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 20–3.
- MIN – Qadry Ismail 13-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 27–3.
Fourth quarter - MIN – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 34–3.
- ARI – Larry Centers 9-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Vikings 34–10.
- MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 41–10.'
- ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Vikings 41–17.'
| Top passers - ARI – Boomer Esiason – 26/40, 270 yards, TD, 2 INT
- MIN – Brad Johnson – 19/26, 238 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers - ARI – Larry Centers – 4 rushes, 21 yards, TD
- MIN – Leroy Hoard – 22 rushes, 94 yards, TD
Top receivers - ARI – Larry Centers – 10 receptions, 85 yards, TD
- MIN – Jake Reed – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD
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Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: December 8
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,763
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – Kevin Butler 33-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter - ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
Third quarter Fourth quarter - DAL – Chris Boniol 31-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–6.
| Top passers - DAL – Troy Aikman – 15/24, 255 yards, TD
- ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/36, 224 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - DAL – Michael Irving – 8 receptions, 198 yards, TD
- ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 94 yards
| |
Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 16: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Redskins | 3 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: December 15
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 34,260
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ARI – Jamir Miller 26-yard fumble return (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–3.
- WAS – Scott Turner 0-yard fumble return (Scott Blanton kick). Cardinals 14–10.
- WAS – Scott Blanton 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–13.
- WAS – Scott Blanton 23-yard field goal. Redskins 16–14.
Third quarter - WAS – Terry Allen 14-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 23–14.'
- ARI – Kevin Butler 22-yard field goal. Redskins 23–17.
Fourth quarter - ARI – Frank Sanders 21-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 24–23.
- WAS – Scott Blanton 35-yard field goal. Redskins 26–24.
- ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–26.
| Top passers Top rushers - WAS – Terry Allen – 17 rushes, 69 yards, TD
- ARI – Leeland McElroy – 18 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers - WAS – Michael Westbrook – 4 receptions, 59 yards
- ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 82 yards, TD
| |
Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 19 |
Eagles | 13 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 29 |
at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: December 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
- Game attendance: 63,658
- Box Score
Game information |
First quarter - PHI – Mike Mamula 4-yard fumble return (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0.'
- PHI – Gary Anderson 23-yard field goal. Eagles 10–0.'
- PHI – Gary Anderson 22-yard field goal. Eagles 13–0.'
Second quarter - PHI – Gary Anderson 43-yard field goal. Eagles 16–0.'
- ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. Eagles 16–3.'
- PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 23–3.'
Third quarter - ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. Eagles 23–6.'
- PHI – Gary Anderson 26-yard field goal. Eagles 26–6.'
Fourth quarter - PHI – Gary Anderson 39-yard field goal. Eagles 29–6.'
- ARI – Leeland McElroy 22-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (kick failed). Eagles 29–12.
- ARI – Aeneas Williams 65-yard interception return (Kevin Butler kick). Eagles 29–19.
| Top passers - ARI – Boomer Esiason – 12/26, 138 yards, TD
- PHI – Ty Detmer – 20/32, 216 yards, INT
Top rushers - ARI – Leeland McElroy – 9 rushes, 45 yards
- PHI – Ricky Watters – 31 rushes, 99 yards, TD
Top receivers | |
Standings
References
- ^ 1996 Arizona Cardinals
- ^ Arizona Cardinals v New York Jets
- ^ History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats
Arizona Cardinals |
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- Founded in 1898
- Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
- Based in Glendale, Arizona
- Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona
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Culture | |
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Lore | |
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Rivalries | |
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Division championships (7) | |
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Conference championships (1) | |
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League championships (2) | |
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Retired numbers | |
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Category |
Arizona Cardinals seasons |
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Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993) |
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Bold indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl victory Italics indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance |