NFL team season
The 2016 season was the Arizona Cardinals ' 97th in the National Football League (NFL), their 118th overall, their 29th in Arizona , their 11th at University of Phoenix Stadium and their fourth under head coach Bruce Arians .
In free agency, they signed veteran defensive back Tyvon Branch and veteran lineman Evan Mathis , while re-signing several key players. They traded for Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots , sending Jonathan Cooper and a late second-round pick to New England.
The Cardinals came into the 2016 season with expectations of improving on their 2015 campaign and reaching the Super Bowl. However, after a 1–3 start, they suffered injuries to quarterback Carson Palmer and most of the offensive line. On October 23, the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks played out a 6–6 tie; this was the Cardinals' first tie since 1986 when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the lowest-scoring NFL tie since overtime was introduced in 1974 . The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2013 in Week 15 after a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Despite winning their final two games, the Cardinals ended the season with a losing record at 7–8–1. Because the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series , their first title in 108 years, the Cardinals also finished the season with the longest active championship drought in the four major American professional sports, with their last championship in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals.
Free agents
Player re-signed by the Cardinals
Draft
Notes
The Cardinals traded their second-round selection (No. 61 overall) and guard Jonathan Cooper to the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Chandler Jones .
The Cardinals traded a conditional seventh-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback Matt Barkley ; the Eagles will only receive this selection if Barkley is on the Cardinals' roster for at least six games during the 2015 season.
The Cardinals received a sixth-round compensatory pick (No. 170 overall) as the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Cardinals experienced during the 2015 free agency period.
Staff
2016 Arizona Cardinals staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Final roster
2016 Arizona Cardinals final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
53 active, 17 inactive, 10 practice squad
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. New England Patriots
Game information
First quarter
NE – Chris Hogan 37-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:34. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:13.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 47-yard field goal, 1:00. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:12.
Second quarter
Third quarter
NE – LeGarrette Blount 8-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 10:00. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:00.
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:29. Patriots 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:51.
Fourth quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 53-yard field goal, 12:35. Patriots 20–14. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 6:54.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 9:46. Cardinals 20–21. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:49.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 32-yard field goal, 3:44. Patriots 23–21. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 6:02.
Top passers
NE – Jimmy Garoppolo – 24/33, 264 yards, TD
ARI – Carson Palmer – 24/37, 271 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – LeGarrette Blount – 22 rushes, 70 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 16 rushes, 89 yards, TD
Top receivers
NE – Julian Edelman – 7 receptions, 66 yards
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 8 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD
With Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo starting, the Cardinals were huge favorites to win. The game was close, but was lost last minute, with a missed game-winning Cardinals field goal.
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Two: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
0
0
7 0 7
Cardinals
0
24
9 7 40
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:59. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:12.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 22-yard field goal, 11:48. Cardinals 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:21.
ARI – Michael Floyd 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:35. Cardinals 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 1:36.
ARI – Jaron Brown 51-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:26. Cardinals 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 0:45.
Third quarter
TB – Mike Evans 19-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Roberto Aguayo kick), 10:06. Cardinals 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 40-yard field goal, 8:00. Cardinals 27–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:05.
ARI – Marcus Cooper 60-yard interception return (kick failed, wide left), 5:15. Cardinals 33–7.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chris Johnson 3-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 12:15. Cardinals 40–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:47.
Top passers
TB – Jameis Winston – 27/52, 243 yards, TD, 4 INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 17/30, 304 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
TB – Jacquizz Rodgers – 2 rushes, 29 yards
ARI – Chris Johnson – 16 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Mike Evans – 6 receptions, 70 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 3 receptions, 98 yards
Week 3: at Buffalo Bills
Game information
First quarter
BUF – Dan Carpenter 19-yard field goal, 3:29. Bills 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:51.
BUF – LeSean McCoy 24-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:55. Bills 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:30.
Second quarter
BUF – LeSean McCoy 5-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:25. Bills 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:51.
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:05. Bills 17–7. Drive: 17 plays, 84 yards, 9:20.
Third quarter
BUF – Tyrod Taylor 20-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 10:31. Bills 23–7. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:49.
BUF – Aaron Williams 53-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:25. Bills 30–7.
ARI – David Johnson 22-yard run (pass failed), 0:12. Bills 30–13. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:13.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 60-yard field goal, 10:36. Bills 30–16. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 2:19.
BUF – Dan Carpenter 45-yard field goal, 4:48. Bills 33–16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:42.
ARI – LeSean McCoy tackled in the end zone by Corey Peters for a safety, 3:04. Bills 33–18.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week Four: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
7
3
0 7 17
Cardinals
0
10
3 0 13
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 25-yard field goal, 12:19. Rams 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 4:40.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 29-yard field goal, 8:42. Rams 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:37.
ARI – Michael Floyd 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:24. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 1:24.
Third quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:05.
Fourth quarter
LA – Brian Quick 4-yard pass from Case Keenum (Greg Zuerlein kick), 2:36. Rams 17–13. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:33.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 12:45. Cardinals 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 2:10.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 29-yard pass from Drew Stanton (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:35. Cardinals 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 3:19.
SF – Carlos Hyde 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:54. Cardinals 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:41.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 36-yard field goal, 13:39. Cardinals 24–14. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:16.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:44. Cardinals 31–14. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:12.
SF – Blaine Gabbert 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:52. Cardinals 31–21. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
ARI – Blaine Gabbert sacked in the end zone by Calais Campbell for a safety, 1:17. Cardinals 33–21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. New York Jets
Week Six: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets
0
3
0 0 3
Cardinals
7
7
7 7 28
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 39-yard field goal, 12:06. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:11.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 6:43. Cardinals 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:23.
Third quarter
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 5:24. Cardinals 21–3. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 7:37.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Michael Floyd 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:20. Cardinals 28–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 7:26.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This was the Cardinals' first win over the Jets since 1975 , when the Cardinals were based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Seahawks
0
0
0 3 3 6
Cardinals
0
3
0 0 3 6
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : October 23Game time : 5:30 p.m.Game weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 65,089Referee : Terry McAulay TV announcers (NBC) : Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele TafoyaRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 46-yard field goal, 3:11. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 53 yards, 8:24.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 40-yard field goal, 4:00. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:33.
Overtime
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 45-yard field goal, 11:23. Cardinals 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:37.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 36-yard field goal, 6:42. Tied 6–6. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:41.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Cardinals placekicker Chandler Catanzaro and Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka each miss game winning field goals as the game finishes in a 6-6 tie and the Cardinals earn their first tie since the 1986 season.
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CAR – Jonathan Stewart 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 11:05. Panthers 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:40.
CAR – Graham Gano 43-yard field goal, 2:45. Panthers 24–0. Drive: 13 plays, 35 yards, 6:31.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:20. Panthers 24–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:25.
Third quarter
CAR – Graham Gano 52-yard field goal, 11:56. Panthers 27–7. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:04.
CAR – Graham Gano 21-yard field goal, 7:18. Panthers 30–7. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:07.
ARI – John Brown 17-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:45. Panthers 30–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:33.
Fourth quarter
ARI – J. J. Nelson 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed), 5:01. Panthers 30–20. Drive: 14 plays, 92 yards, 4:49.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – David Johnson – 7 receptions, 84 yards
CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 2 receptions, 73 yards
In a rematch of the NFC championship , the Panthers led by as much as 24 points until Arizona ended the game by cutting the lead to 10.
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers
0
10
3 7 20
Cardinals
7
13
0 3 23
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – David Johnson 18-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:42. Cardinals 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 56 yards, 0:18.
SF – Jeremy Kerley 17-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 12:12. Cardinals 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:30.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 39-yard field goal, 8:28. Cardinals 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:44.
SF – Phil Dawson 49-yard field goal, 1:32. Cardinals 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 6:56.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 1:32.
Third quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 53-yard field goal, 8:40. Cardinals 20–13. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:16.
Fourth quarter
SF – Colin Kaepernick 4-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:55. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 1:18.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 23–20. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 1:55.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 10 rushes, 55 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 19 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
10
0 7 24
Vikings
7
13
10 0 30
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 10:04. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 6:26.
MIN – Matt Asiata 2-yard run (kick blocked), 7:16. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:48.
MIN – Xavier Rhodes 100-yard interception return (Kai Forbath kick), 3:07. Vikings 20–10.
ARI – Jermaine Gresham 29-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:50. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:17.
Third quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 104-yard kickoff return (Kai Forbath kick), 14:47. Vikings 27–17.
MIN – Kai Forbath 27-yard field goal, 0:04. Vikings 30–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:06.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard pass (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:24. Vikings 30–24. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 1:46.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Twelve: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
6
0 6 19
Falcons
7
10
7 14 38
at Georgia Dome , Atlanta, Georgia
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 25-yard field goal, 12:52. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:46.
ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 8:30. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:22.
ATL – Taylor Gabriel 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:19. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 45 yards, 0:51.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 17–13. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 0:25.
Third quarter
ATL – Tevin Coleman 2-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:56. Falcons 24–13. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 6:05.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Taylor Gabriel 25-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:48. Falcons 31–13. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:29.
ARI – David Johnson 3-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed), 4:44. Falcons 31–19. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:04.
ATL – Devonta Freeman 5-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:07. Falcons 38–19. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – David Johnson – 8 receptions, 103 yards, TD
ATL – Taylor Gabriel – 4 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
Week Thirteen: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins
0
6
14 3 23
Cardinals
7
3
7 14 31
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : December 4Game time : 2:25 pm. MSTGame weather : 68 °F (20 °C), sunny - retractable roof openGame attendance : 64,939Referee : Walt AndersonTV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton , Chris Spielman and Kristina PinkRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 47-yard field goal, 9:48. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:33.
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 20-yard field goal, 1:52. Cardinals 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:26.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 28-yard field goal, 0:07. Cardinals 10–6. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
WAS – Kirk Cousins 1-yard run (Dustin Hopkins kick), 12:36. Redskins 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:24.
ARI – Michael Floyd 6-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:10. Cardinals 17–13. Drive: 3 plays, 10 yards, 0:51.
WAS – Jamison Crowder 26-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dustin Hopkins kick), 1:06. Redskins 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:04.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 25-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 11:09. Cardinals 24–20. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 53-yard field goal, 6:01. Cardinals 24–23. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 5:08.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 42-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:56. Cardinals 31–23. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:05.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
WAS – Pierre Garçon – 7 receptions, 78 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 9 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
Week Fourteen: Arizona Cardinals at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
6
3
0 14 23
Dolphins
7
7
7 5 26
at Hard Rock Stadium , Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : December 11Game time : 11:00 am. MSTGame weather : 77 °F (25 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 65,750Referee : Jerome BogerTV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer HaleRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Dion Sims 7-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 11:41. Dolphins 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:55.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 56-yard field goal, 1:18. Dolphins 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:21.
Third quarter
MIA – Damien Williams 3-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 11:17. Dolphins 21–9. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:43.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Brittan Golden 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer , 7:05. Dolphins 21–15. Drive: 12 plays, 99 yards, 6:43.
MIA – Walt Aikens defensive two-point conversion, 7:05. Dolphins 23–15.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 8-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Carson Palmer–David Johnson pass), 3:01. Tied 23–23. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:13.
MIA – Andrew Franks 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Dolphins 26–23. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This was the Cardinals' first loss to the Dolphins since 1999 .
Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Fifteen: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
10
14
3 21 48
Cardinals
7
13
7 14 41
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : December 18Game time : 2:05 pm. MSTGame weather : 62 °F (17 °C), sunny - retractable roof openGame attendance : 65,072Referee : Carl CheffersTV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer HaleRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Calais Campbell 53-yard fumble return (kick failed, wide left), 7:08. Cardinals 13–10.
NO – Brandin Cooks 65-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:11. Saints 17–13. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:57.
NO – Brandin Cooks 45-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:51. Saints 24–13. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:41.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 10-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:40. Saints 24–20. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 1:11.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 39-yard field goal, 6:06. Saints 27–20. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 5:57.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:19. Tied 27–27. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:47.
Fourth quarter
NO – Tim Hightower 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:59. Saints 34–27. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:20.
ARI – David Johnson 7-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:57. Tied 34–34. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
NO – Michael Thomas 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:33. Saints 41–34. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:24.
NO – Tim Hightower 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:27. Saints 48–34. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 1:46.
ARI – John Brown 30-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 2:19. Saints 48–41. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:08.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
With the close loss, the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Sixteen: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
7
0 20 34
Seahawks
0
3
7 21 31
at CenturyLink Field , Seattle, Washington
Date : Game time : 2:25 pm. MSTGame weather : 39 °F (4 °C), partly cloudyGame attendance : 69,050Referee : Ronald TorbertTV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam OliverRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – J. J. Nelson 80-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:53. Cardinals 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 1:30.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 27-yard field goal, 0:15. Cardinals 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:17.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 13:32. Cardinals 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:59.
SEA – Doug Baldwin 42-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Russell Wilson–Marcel Reece pass), 8:49. Cardinals 21–18. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:43.
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 6:47. Cardinals 28–18. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:02.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 42-yard field goal, 4:10. Cardinals 31–18. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:59.
SEA – Jimmy Graham 37-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 2:48. Cardinals 31–25. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:22.
SEA – Paul Richardson 5-yard pass from Russell Wilson (kick failed, wide left), 1:00. Tied 31–31. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 1:22.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 34–31. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 1:00.
Top passers
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 28 rushes, 95 yards, 3 TD
SEA – Russell Wilson – 10 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 32-yard field goal, 10:34. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:26.
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 12:25. Cardinals 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:07.
ARI – Jeremy Ross 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:42. Cardinals 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:13.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 37-yard field goal, 2:34. Cardinals 13–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 5:08.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 36-yard field goal, 0:48. Cardinals 13–6. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:11.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 47-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 0:48.
Third quarter
ARI – Darren Fells 37-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 13:11. Cardinals 23–6. Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:09.
ARI – Kerwynn Williams 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:17. Cardinals 30–6. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:27.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 11:35. Cardinals 37–6. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:48.
ARI – Justin Bethel 66-yard interception return (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:06. Cardinals 44–6.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – J. J. Nelson – 4 receptions, 75 yards
LA – Todd Gurley – 4 receptions, 37 yards
Despite losing running back David Johnson to a knee injury in the first quarter, Arizona still managed to blow out the Rams, 44-6 to finish the year at 7-8-1.
Standings
Division
Conference
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1
Dallas Cowboys
East
13
3
0
.813
3–3
9–3
.471
.440
L1
2
Atlanta Falcons
South
11
5
0
.688
5–1
9–3
.480
.452
W4
3
Seattle Seahawks
West
10
5
1
.656
3–2–1
6–5–1
.441
.425
W1
4
Green Bay Packers
North
10
6
0
.625
5–1
8–4
.508
.453
W6
Wild Cards
5
New York Giants
East
11
5
0
.688
4–2
8–4
.486
.455
W1
6[ a]
Detroit Lions
North
9
7
0
.563
3–3
7–5
.475
.392
L3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[ a]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
9
7
0
.563
4–2
7–5
.492
.434
W1
8
Washington Redskins
East
8
7
1
.531
3–3
6–6
.516
.430
L1
9
Minnesota Vikings
North
8
8
0
.500
2–4
5–7
.492
.457
W1
10
Arizona Cardinals
West
7
8
1
.469
4–1–1
6–5–1
.463
.366
W2
11[ b]
New Orleans Saints
South
7
9
0
.438
2–4
6–6
.523
.393
L1
12[ b]
Philadelphia Eagles
East
7
9
0
.438
2–4
5–7
.559
.518
W2
13
Carolina Panthers
South
6
10
0
.375
1–5
5–7
.518
.354
L2
14
Los Angeles Rams
West
4
12
0
.250
2–4
3–9
.504
.500
L7
15
Chicago Bears
North
3
13
0
.188
2–4
3–9
.521
.396
L4
16
San Francisco 49ers
West
2
14
0
.125
2–4
2–10
.504
.250
L1
Tiebreakers [ c]
^ a b Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents.
^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
References
External links
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (7) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Current league affiliations
Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)