2008 Arizona Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The 2008
Arizona Cardinals
season was the 89th season for the team in the National Football League
and their 21st season in Arizona
. The season marked the Cardinals' first-ever Super Bowl
appearance, coming as a result of their victory against the Philadelphia Eagles
in the NFC Championship.
The Cardinals began their season strong, compiling a 7–3 record by Week 11. However, they finished off the regular season struggling with a 9–7 record. This was still enough to win the NFC West
, and the Cardinals, for the first time since 1947, hosted a playoff game. In that wild card
game, the Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons
. The next week, for the Divisional round of the playoffs, the Cardinals traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina
, where they upset the heavily-favored Carolina Panthers
. Then, because the Philadelphia Eagles also achieved an upset the same week (against the top-seeded New York Giants
), the number-four seed Cardinals hosted the NFC Championship game, where they defeated the Eagles and qualified for the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XLIII
, the Cardinals' winning streak ended. Though they led the Pittsburgh Steelers
with less than a minute left to play in the game, in the end they were defeated, 27–23.
The 2008 Cardinals were just the second 9–7 team to reach the Super Bowl, joining the Los Angeles Rams
in Super Bowl XIV
, who also lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers
; however, the Rams had to win only two playoff games, rather than three, to reach the Super Bowl.
. In the first quarter, Arizona took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 25-yard field goal. The 49ers responded with RB Frank Gore
's 41-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals responded with QB Kurt Warner
completing a one-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
, yet San Francisco tied the game with kicker Joe Nedney
getting a 39-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Cardinals began to soar as Rackers got a 31-yard field goal, along with rookie RB Tim Hightower
getting a two-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers tried to respond with Nedney getting a 30-yard field goal. Afterwards, Rackers' 30-yard field goal sealed the victory for Arizona.
With the win, the Cardinals began their season at 1–0.
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals scored first as QB Kurt Warner
threw 2 TD passes (a 79-yarder and a three-yarder) to WR Anquan Boldin
. In the second quarter, Arizona increased their lead with a 45 yard field goal by Neil Rackers. In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased its lead to 24–0 with rookie RB Tim Hightower
getting a one-yard TD run. In the process, he became the first Cardinals rookie running back to ever score in each of his first two games. The Dolphins finally got on the board when kicker Dan Carpenter
nailed a 32-yard field goal. The Cardinals replied with Warner and Boldin hooking up with each other for a third time on an eight-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, Miami tried to rally as RB Ronnie Brown
got a one-yard TD run, but Arizona held on for a dominating win.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to its first 2–0 start since 1991. This game was also one of three times that Kurt Warner finished a game with a perfect passer rating.
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Redskins RB Clinton Portis
got a three-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals continued to trail as kicker Shaun Suisham
got a 48-yard field goal. The Cardinals would end the half with QB Kurt Warner
completing a four-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
. In the third quarter, the Cardinals tied the game with kicker Neil Rackers
nailing a 26-yard field goal, yet Washington responded with QB Jason Campbell
completing a two-yard TD pass to TE Todd Yoder
. Afterwards, Arizona answered with Warner completing a 62-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
. However, in the fourth quarter, the Redskins pulled away with Campbell's 17-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 2–1.
for a Week 4 interconference duel with the New York Jets
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arizona started to trail big in the second quarter. The Jets took flight with QB Brett Favre
completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles
, CB Darrelle Revis
returning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, Favre completing a 34-yard TD pass to Coles, kicker Jay Feely
getting 20-yard field goal, Favre completing a two-yard TD pass to Coles, and Feely kicking a 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals responded with RB Edgerrin James
getting a four-yard and a two-yard TD run, along with rookie RB Tim Hightower
getting a one-yard TD run. In the third quarter, New York answered with Favre's 17-yard TD pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery
. The Cardinals would reply with QB Kurt Warner
completing an eight-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
, yet the Jets continued their victory march with Favre's 40-yard TD pass to Cotchery. Arizona tried to rally as Warner completed a 14-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban
, but New York sealed the win with Favre's 24-yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 2–2.
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as QB Kurt Warner
completed a two-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower
getting a 17-yard TD run. The Bills responded with QB J. P. Losman completing an 87-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans
, yet the Cardinals answered right back with RB Edgerrin James
getting a one-yard TD run. Buffalo would answer with Losman getting a two-yard TD run, yet the Cardinals continued its momentum with kicker Neil Rackers
getting a 47-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Bills tried to come back as kicker Rian Lindell
got a 48-yard field goal, but Arizona kept its intensity up as Warner completed a two-yard TD pass to Fitzgerald. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals pulled away as Rackers nailed a 38-yard field goal, along with Hightower getting a two-yard TD run.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 3–2.
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals immediately took flight as RB J. J. Arrington returned the game's opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Cowboys tied the game as QB Tony Romo
completed a 55-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton
. In the third quarter, Dallas took the lead with Romo completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Miles Austin
. Arizona would tie the game with QB Kurt Warner
completing a two-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals regained the lead as Warner completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston
, along with kicker Neil Rackers
getting a 41-yard field goal. However, the Cowboys tied the game as Romo completed a 70-yard TD pass to RB Marion Barber
, along with kicker Nick Folk
nailing a 52-yard field goal. In overtime, after forcing a three-and-out, Arizona got the win as WR Sean Morey blocked a Mat McBriar
punt attempt, allowing LB Monty Beisel
to return it 3 yards for the game-winning touchdown. McBriar would end up with his foot fractured and put on the IR by the Cowboys.
With the impressive win, the Cardinals entered their bye week at 4–2.
In the NFL's 423rd recorded overtime game, this was the first game to end with a blocked punt getting returned for a touchdown.
for a Week 8 duel with the Carolina Panthers
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead as QB Kurt Warner
completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
. The Panthers closed out the half with kicker John Kasay
getting a 23-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased their lead as rookie RB Tim Hightower
got a two-yard TD run. However, Carolina began to rally as RB DeAngelo Williams
got a 15-yard TD run, while QB Jake Delhomme
completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith. The Cardinals replied with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a two-yard TD pass (with a failed PAT), but the Panthers took the lead on Delhomme's 65-yard TD pass to Smith. In the fourth quarter, Carolina pulled away as Kasay nailed a 50-yard field goal.
With the tough loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–3.
for a Week 9 NFC West duel with the St. Louis Rams
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Rams QB Marc Bulger
completed an 80-yard TD pass to WR Derek Stanley
. In the second quarter, the Cardinals took flight as Safety Antrel Rolle
returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, kicker Neil Rackers
got a 36-yard field goal, rookie RB Tim Hightower
got a 30-yard TD run, and former Rams QB Kurt Warner
completed a 56-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban
.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals continued their domination as Warner completed a seven-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis tried to rally as Bulger completed a three-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt
(with a failed two-point conversion
.) Fortunately, Arizona pulled away as Rackers nailed a 30-yard field goal.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 5–3.
on Monday Night Football. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as 49ers CB Allen Rossum
returned the game's opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals would respond as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, San Francisco added onto their lead as QB Shaun Hill
completed a 31-yard TD pass to WR Josh Morgan
. The Cardinals would answer with QB Kurt Warner
completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
, along with Rackers getting a 33-yard field goal. The 49ers would close out the half with Hill completing an 18-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis
.
In the third quarter, Arizona crept closer again as Warner completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
, yet San Francisco replied with kicker Joe Nedney
getting a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals took the lead as Rackers nailed a 23-yard field goal, along with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a five-yard TD pass (with a failed two-point conversion.) The 49ers would mount a late comeback drive, but Arizona made a successful goal-line stand as time ran out.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6–3.
for a Week 11 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 38-yard field goal, along with RB J. J. Arrington getting a four-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead with Rackers making a 48-yard field goal. The Seahawks answered with QB Matt Hasselbeck
completing a 13-yard TD pass to RB Maurice Morris
. The Cardinals would close out the half with Rackers getting a 54-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased their lead as Rackers nailed a 26-yard field goal and QB Kurt Warner
completed a six-yard TD pass to Arrington. In the fourth quarter, Seattle tried to rally as RB T. J. Duckett got a one-yard TD run (with a failed two-point conversion) and a two-yard TD run. Fortunately, rookie CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
came up with the game-winning interception.
With the win, not only did the Cardinals win three straight for the first time since 2002, but they improved to 7–3 for the first time since 1977.
. In the first quarter, Arizona took fight as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with RB Derrick Ward
getting a one-yard TD run. The Cardinals would regain the lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower
getting a four-yard TD run (with a failed extra-point attempt), yet New York answered with kicker John Carney getting a 33-yard field goal. The Cardinals would reply with Rackers making a 20-yard field goal, yet the Giants closed out the half with QB Eli Manning
completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer
.
In the third quarter, New York increased their lead as Manning completed a two-yard TD pass to FB Madison Hedgecock
. Arizona would answer with Hightower getting a one-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Giants were starting to pull away as Manning completed a 10-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss
, while Carney made a 27-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to keep pace as QB Kurt Warner
completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
, yet New York replied with Carney's 33-yard field goal. Arizona tried to come back as Rackers nailed a 44-yard field goal, but their following onside kick failed, preserving the Giants' win.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 7–4.
for a Week 13 Thanksgiving battle with the Philadelphia Eagles
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Eagles QB Donovan McNabb
completed a five-yard TD pass to RB Brian Westbrook
, while Westbrook got a one-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals continued to trail as McNabb hooked up with Westbrook again on a two-yard TD pass. The Cardinals would respond as QB Kurt Warner
completed a one-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
. Philadelphia would close out the half with kicker David Akers
making a 42-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Arizona's struggles continued as Westbrook got a nine-yard TD run. The Cardinals would answer with Warner completed a six-yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston
(with a failed two-point conversion.) The Eagles would reply as Akers got a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals tried to rally as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a seven-yard TD pass. However, Philadelphia replied with McNabb completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR DeSean Jackson
, along with an eight-yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 7–5.
and a Kurt Warner
12-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald
. In the second quarter the Rams would score on a three-yard TD pass from Marc Bulger
to Steven Jackson
, following a Kurt Warner interception. The Cardinals would respond with two field goals from Neil Rackers
from 44 and 22 yards to make the halftime score 20–7. In the third quarter, Cardinals linebacker, Gerald Hayes
, would force two Steven Jackson fumbles, the second one recovered by Darnell Dockett
, who would return it 11 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Down 27–7, the Rams attempted to come back in the fourth quarter, starting with a Josh Brown 51-yard field goal to make the score 27–10, but a Bulger pass was intercepted by rookie cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
, for 99 yards, for the touchdown that sealed the game and propelled the Cardinals to their first playoff game since 1998, and their first division title since the days the Cardinals were in St. Louis in 1975.
With the win, the Cardinals record improved to 8–5.
for the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs. Things looked bleak for the Cardinals from the beginning. The Vikings began their first quarter attack with a 82-yard punt return for a TD by Bernard Berrian
. Two turnovers for the Cardinals, Kurt Warner interception and an Anquan Boldin
fumble, would lead to two touchdown passes from Tarvaris Jackson
, a 41-yard pass to Berrian and a 19-yard pass to Sidney Rice
. The Vikings took a 28–0 lead at halftime after an 11-yard TD pass from Jackson to Chester Taylor
. The Cardinals would rally to cut the lead in half with a Jerheme Urban
50-yard TD catch and a field goal blocked by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
and recovered by Roderick Hood
, who returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings would pull away at the end of the third quarter when Jackson threw a 59-yard TD pass to Bobby Wade
.
With the loss, the Cardinals dropped to 8–6.
Kurt Warner
was benched on the Cardinals last drive in the fourth quarter via a coaching decision.
for a Week 16 interconference duel with the New England Patriots
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Patriots running back LaMont Jordan
got a one-yard and a three-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals' east coast struggles continued in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Cassel
completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Faulk
and an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker
, followed by kicker Stephen Gostkowski
's 38-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Arizona's deficit continued to climb as Cassel completed a 76-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss
, followed by Gostkowski's 35- and 24-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New England concluded its domination with Gostkowski's 30-yard field goal. The Cardinals would then get a meaningless touchdown as quarterback Matt Leinart
completed a 78-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
.
With the loss, Arizona fell to 8–7.
Original starting quarterback Kurt Warner
(6/18 for 30 yards) was pulled in the third quarter via coach's decision.
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Seahawks running back T. J. Duckett got a one-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond in the second quarter with quarterback Kurt Warner
completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerheme Urban
and a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
. Seattle would tie the game at halftime with quarterback Seneca Wallace
completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch
.
Arizona would regain the lead in the third quarter as Warner completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
. Seattle tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Wallace completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Branch, yet the Cardinals would close out the game with kicker Neil Rackers
nailing a 23- and a 32-yard field goal.
With the win, the Cardinals closed out the regular season at 9–7.
. On offense, Kurt Warner
was the starting quarterback
, with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both at wide receiver
. On defense, Adrian Wilson went as one of the conference's defensive back
s. Sean Morey would be start on special teams. This is arguably the most successful season in modern Cardinals history.
, in their first home playoff game since 1947.
Arizona got the early lead in the first quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
. The Falcons responded with kicker Jason Elam
's 30-yard field goal, yet the Cardinals struck right back as Warner completed a 71-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin
. Boldin pulled his hamstring running down the sideline and did not return. Atlanta took the halftime lead with running back Michael Turner getting a seven-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Matt Ryan
completing a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Justin Peelle
following a Kurt Warner interception.
Arizona regained the lead in the third quarter as safety Antrel Rolle
returned a Turner fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, while rookie running back Tim Hightower
got a four-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals increased their lead in the fourth quarter as defensive end Antonio Smith sacked Ryan in his own endzone for a safety. The Falcons tried to come back as Ryan completed a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White
, yet Arizona's offense drained any second that Atlanta needed to rally. The Cardinals ended any chance the Falcons had for a comeback when Kurt Warner hooked up with tight end Stephen Spach
for 23 yards on a third and sixteen with 2:16 left in the game.
With the win, the Cardinals improved their overall record to 10–7.
for the NFC Divisional round against the #2 Carolina Panthers
, in a rematch of their Week 8 contest. The Panthers came in 8–0 at home and the Cardinals were 0–5 on the East Coast.
Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart
got a nine-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond with quarterback Kurt Warner
completing a three-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower
, followed by running back Edgerrin James
' four-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Arizona took control as kicker Neil Rackers
got a 49-yard and a 30-yard field goal, followed by Warner's 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
.
The Cardinals would add onto their lead in the third quarter as Rackers made a 33-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Arizona would end its dominating night with Rackers nailing a 20-yard field goal. Carolina would end the game's scoring with quarterback Jake Delhomme
's eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith (with a failed two-point conversion.)
With this upset win, not only did the Cardinals improve their overall record to 11–7, but they also advanced to their first NFC Championship Game
in franchise history.
Arizona's defense forced Delhomme into six turnovers (five interceptions and one fumble), along with holding the Panthers' running back duo of Williams
and Stewart to 74 combined rushing yards.
Fitzgerald (8 receptions and a touchdown) would set a franchise postseason record with 166 receiving yards. Anquan Boldin
did not play due to a hamstring injury, but Fitzgerald was able to make up the difference.
With the win the Cardinals moved to 11–7. Because the Eagles won the next day, Arizona hosted the NFC Championship Game. The Cardinals also won their first game on the East Coast this season.
against the #6 Philadelphia Eagles
, who were coming off their victory over the #1 New York Giants
, in a rematch of their Thanksgiving game.
Arizona capped off the game's opening kickoff with a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner
to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
. The Eagles responded with kicker David Akers
making a 45-yard field goal. With the score at 7–3, Akers missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, the first he missed in his last 20 attempts in the postseason, an NFL Record. The Cardinals answered in the second quarter as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a flea-flicker, Warner to Arrington, back to Warner, who threw it to Fitzgerald for a 62-yard TD pass. Philadelphia struck back as Akers made a 33-yard field goal, but Arizona closed out the half with Warner's one-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and kicker Neil Rackers
' 49-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to make the score 24–6.
The Eagles began to rally in the third quarter as quarterback Donovan McNabb
completed a six-yard and a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek
with a failed PAT on the latter touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia took the lead on 62-yard touchdown pass from McNabb to rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson
. The Eagles went for the two-point conversion, hoping for a three point lead, but failed, leaving the score 25–24. However, the Cardinals regained the lead when Warner completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower
and a successful two-point conversion pass by Warner to tight end Ben Patrick
. The Arizona defense was able to prevent Philadelphia from making a comeback, as the Eagles drove to the Arizona 47, but then McNabb threw four straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs. The Cardinals went three and out on the next possession, giving the Eagles only seven seconds in the game, but the Eagles were unable to score on a 93-yard hook and ladder play after McNabb completed to Jackson, who attempted to lateral, but the lateral was picked off by defensive lineman Darnell Dockett
.
The Cardinals improved their overall record to 12–7, and also won their first National Football Conference crown, allowing them to advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. They became the first team since the 1979 Los Angeles Rams
to finish the regular season with 9 wins and make it to the Super Bowl.
Fitzgerald had a stellar performance with 152 yards and three of Arizona's four touchdowns and setting a new postseason record with 419 receiving yards, surpassing the prior record set by Jerry Rice
in 1988.
for their Super Bowl XLIII
duel with the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed got an 18-yard field goal. The Steelers would add onto their lead as running back Gary Russell
got a one-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would answer with quarterback Kurt Warner
completing a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Patrick
. Arizona came close to scoring again nearing the end of the half, but Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
The Steelers would increase their lead in the third quarter as Reed nailed a 21-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals would take the lead as Warner completed a one-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
, Steelers center Justin Hartwig
being called for holding in his own endzone (giving Arizona a safety), and Warner hooking up with Fitzgerald again on a 64-yard touchdown pass. However, Pittsburgh responded with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
completing a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes
. The Cardinals tried to come back, but the Steelers' defense forced a fumble to seal the win.
With the loss, Arizona closed out their season with an overall record of 12–8.
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the 89th season for the team in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and their 21st season in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. The season marked the Cardinals' first-ever Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
appearance, coming as a result of their victory against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the NFC Championship.
The Cardinals began their season strong, compiling a 7–3 record by Week 11. However, they finished off the regular season struggling with a 9–7 record. This was still enough to win the NFC West
NFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
, and the Cardinals, for the first time since 1947, hosted a playoff game. In that wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
game, the Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons
2008 Atlanta Falcons season
The 2008 Atlanta Falcons season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League. Overcoming a disappointing 4-12 record, quarterback Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and head coach Bobby Petrino's abrupt resignation in 2007, the Falcons, who were expected to be in a rebuilding...
. The next week, for the Divisional round of the playoffs, the Cardinals traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, where they upset the heavily-favored Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. Then, because the Philadelphia Eagles also achieved an upset the same week (against the top-seeded New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
), the number-four seed Cardinals hosted the NFC Championship game, where they defeated the Eagles and qualified for the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,...
, the Cardinals' winning streak ended. Though they led the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
with less than a minute left to play in the game, in the end they were defeated, 27–23.
The 2008 Cardinals were just the second 9–7 team to reach the Super Bowl, joining the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
in Super Bowl XIV
Super Bowl XIV
Super Bowl XIV was an American football game played on January 20, 1980 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1979 regular season...
, who also lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
; however, the Rams had to win only two playoff games, rather than three, to reach the Super Bowl.
Coaching staff
| 2008 Arizona Cardinals staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
→ Coaching Staff → Management → More NFL staffs |
|||||
2008 NFL Draft selections
| RD | Pick | Player name | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind... |
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Tennessee State University Tennessee State University Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:... |
| 2 | 50 | Calais Campbell Calais Campbell Calais Campbell is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
University of Miami University of Miami The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12... |
| 3 | 81 | Early Doucet Early Doucet Early Joseph Doucet, III is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State.-Early years:Early Doucet prepped at St. Martinville... |
Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
Louisiana State University Louisiana State University Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name... |
| 4 | 116 | Kenny Iwebema Kenny Iwebema Kenny Iwebema is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.-Early years:... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
University of Iowa University of Iowa The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees... |
| 5 | 149 | Tim Hightower Tim Hightower -Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a... |
Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
University of Richmond University of Richmond The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate... |
| 6 | 185 | Chris Harrington Chris Harrington (American football) Christopher Edward "Chris" Harrington is an American football defensive end who most recently played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school... |
| 7 | 225 | Brandon Keith Brandon Keith Brandon Latrel Keith is an American football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
Offensive tackle | University of Northern Iowa University of Northern Iowa The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has... |
Roster
| Arizona Cardinals 2008 final roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Elton Brown Elton Gillett Brown is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.... G Mike Gandy Michael Joseph Gandy is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft and later played for the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals... T Brandon Keith Brandon Latrel Keith is an American football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft... T Pat Ross (American football) Patrick George Ross is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He graduated from St... C Lyle Sendlein Lyle Sendlein is an American football center for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007... C Elliot Vallejo Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] is an American football offensive tackle who is currently Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] (born May 17, 1984 in Monterey, California) is an American football offensive tackle who is currently Elliot Louis Vallejo [vuh-LAY-ho] (born May 17, 1984 in Monterey,... T Reggie Wells Reginald Arness "Reggie" Wells is an American football guard for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... G Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Monty Beisel Monty Beisel is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... ILB Bertrand Berry Bertrand Demond Berry is a retired American football defensive end who most recently played for the Arizona Cardinals.-Early years:Berry started his football career in the Humble Area Football League... OLB/DE Karlos Dansby Karlos Montez Dansby is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... ILB Gerald Hayes Gerald Hayes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.... ILB Victor Hobson Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft... ILB Travis LaBoy Travis LaBoy is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft... OLB/DE Chike Okeafor Chikezie Russell Okeafor is a professional American football player. During his National Football League career from 1999 to 2009, he played defensive end and linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.... OLB Pago Togafau Pago F. Togafau is an American football linebacker who is currently a member of the Spokane Shock. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007... ILB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Clark Haggans Clark Cromwell Haggans is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft... OLB (IR)  Ali Highsmith Arlington Louis "Ali" Highsmith is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2008... ILB (IR) Scott Peters (American football) Scott Thomas Peters is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... C/G (IR) Stephen Spach Stephen Spach is an American football tight end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2005... TE (IR) Practice Squad
Rookies in italics |
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Preseason
| Week | Date | Time | Opponent | Result | Game site | TV | NFL Recap | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 7, 2008 | 5:00 p.m. | New Orleans Saints 2008 New Orleans Saints season The 2008 New Orleans Saints season is the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League . The Saints entered the season in an attempt improve their 7-9 record from the 2007 season.-Pre-season:-Regular season:... |
L 10–24 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
ESPN | Recap | 0–1 |
| 2 | August 16, 2008 | 5:00 p.m. | at Kansas City Chiefs 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 49th season, and third with head coach Herman Edwards at the helm. The Chiefs failed to improve on their 4-12 record from 2007 with the youngest team in the NFL as part of their "youth movement." The season turned out to be the worst in the... |
W 27–17 | Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.... |
CBS | Recap | 1–1 |
| 3 | August 23, 2008 | 6:00 p.m. | at Oakland Raiders 2008 Oakland Raiders season The 2008 Oakland Raiders season was the team's forty-ninth season. The Raiders improved upon their 4–12 record from 2007. This was also the first time in four seasons that the team did not play both contestants from the previous Super Bowl, playing the New England Patriots, but not the New York... |
W 24–0 | McAfee Coliseum McAfee Coliseum O.co Coliseum is a multi-purpose stadium, located in Oakland, California, in the Coliseum Industrial area... |
Fox | Recap | 2–1 |
| 4 | August 29, 2008 | 7:00 p.m. | Denver Broncos 2008 Denver Broncos season The 2008 Denver Broncos season was the franchise's 49th season for the team . They improved from their 7–9 record from 2007 but failed to make the playoffs with an 8–8 record... |
L 14–28 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 2–2 |
Regular season
| Week | Date | Time | Opponent | Result | Game site | TV | NFL Recap | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7, 2008 | 1:15 p.m. | at San Francisco 49ers 2008 San Francisco 49ers season The 2008 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 63rd season. Although they failed to reach the playoffs for the straight 6th year, the team improved on their disappointing 5-11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season on a high note... |
W 23–13 | Candlestick Park | Fox | Recap | 1–0 |
| W 31–10 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
CBS | Recap | 2–0 | ||||
| 3 | September 21, 2008 | 10:00 a.m. | at Washington Redskins 2008 Washington Redskins season The 2008 Washington Redskins season was the 76th season for the team in the National Football League. They failed to improve upon their 9-7 record from 2007... |
L 24–17 | FedEx Field | Fox | Recap | 2–1 |
| 4 | September 28, 2008 | 10:00 a.m. | at New York Jets 2008 New York Jets season The 2008 New York Jets season was the 49th season for the club and the 39th season in the National Football League. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs.-Signings:... |
L 56–35 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Fox | Recap | 2–2 |
| 5 | October 5, 2008 | 1:15 p.m. | Buffalo Bills 2008 Buffalo Bills season The 2008 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and their 49th season overall. They finished with a record of 7–9 for the third consecutive year... |
W 41–17 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
CBS | Recap | 3–2 |
| 6 | October 12, 2008 | 1:15 p.m. | Dallas Cowboys 2008 Dallas Cowboys season The 2008 Dallas Cowboys season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League. The season was most noted for week 17, when the Cowboys were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles 44–6, their worst loss since the 1985 Chicago Bears came to Texas Stadium and beat the Cowboys 44–0... |
W 30–24OT | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 4–2 |
| 7 | Bye week Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 8 | October 26, 2008 | 10:00 a.m. | at Carolina Panthers 2008 Carolina Panthers season -Preseason:-Regular season:-Postseason:-Week 1: at San Diego Chargers:The Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers were locked in a defensive battle in the first quarter. John Kasay made three field goals while Philip Rivers connected with Chris Chambers on a 44-yard pass to score. At halftime the... |
L 27–23 | Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East... |
Fox | Recap | 4–3 |
| 9 | November 2, 2008 | 11:00 a.m. | at St. Louis Rams 2008 St. Louis Rams season The 2008 St. Louis Rams season was the 71st season for the team in the National Football League and their 14th in St. Louis, Missouri. They hoped to improve upon their 3-13 record from last season but the season was a complete disaster, and their worst season ever. Not only did they fail to... |
W 34–13 | Edward Jones Dome Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was... |
Fox | Recap | 5–3 |
| 10 | November 10, 2008 | 6:30 p.m. | San Francisco 49ers 2008 San Francisco 49ers season The 2008 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 63rd season. Although they failed to reach the playoffs for the straight 6th year, the team improved on their disappointing 5-11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season on a high note... |
W 29–24 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
ESPN | Recap | 6–3 |
| 11 | November 16, 2008 | 2:05 p.m. | at Seattle Seahawks 2008 Seattle Seahawks season The 2008 Seattle Seahawks season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League. The Seahawks' streak of four consecutive NFC West divisional championships was broken, as they fell to a 4-12 record... |
W 26–20 | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
Fox | Recap | 7–3 |
| 12 | November 23, 2008 | 2:15 p.m. | New York Giants 2008 New York Giants season The 2008 New York Giants season was the franchise's 84th season in the National Football League as the team looked to defend its Super Bowl XLII title. They improved upon their 10–6 record from 2007, becoming NFC East champions and finished with the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 12-4 record... |
L 37–29 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 7–4 |
| 13 | November 27, 2008 | 6:15 p.m. | at Philadelphia Eagles 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 76th season as a franchise in the National Football League. The Eagles improved upon their 8–8 record and fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9–6–1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The team lost in the... |
L 48–20 | Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex... |
NFLN | Recap | 7–5 |
| 14 | December 7, 2008 | 2:15 p.m. | St. Louis Rams 2008 St. Louis Rams season The 2008 St. Louis Rams season was the 71st season for the team in the National Football League and their 14th in St. Louis, Missouri. They hoped to improve upon their 3-13 record from last season but the season was a complete disaster, and their worst season ever. Not only did they fail to... |
W 34–10 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 8–5 |
| 15 | December 14, 2008 | 2:05 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings 2008 Minnesota Vikings season The 2008 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 48th season in the NFL, and the 17th season in which they won their division. They won the NFC North with a 10–6 record, but had to play in the wild card round of the playoffs... |
L 35–14 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 8–6 |
| 16 | December 21, 2008 | 11:00 a.m. | at New England Patriots 2008 New England Patriots season The 2008 New England Patriots season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. Despite finishing the regular season with an 11–5 record, the Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs—becoming the first 11-win team since the expansion to a 12-team... |
L 47–7 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
Fox | Recap | 8–7 |
| 17 | December 28, 2008 | 2:15 p.m. | Seattle Seahawks 2008 Seattle Seahawks season The 2008 Seattle Seahawks season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League. The Seahawks' streak of four consecutive NFC West divisional championships was broken, as they fell to a 4-12 record... |
W 34–21 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | Recap | 9–7 |
Postseason
| Round | Date | Time | Opponent | Result | Game site | TV | NFL Recap | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | January 3, 2009 | 2:30 p.m. | Atlanta Falcons 2008 Atlanta Falcons season The 2008 Atlanta Falcons season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League. Overcoming a disappointing 4-12 record, quarterback Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and head coach Bobby Petrino's abrupt resignation in 2007, the Falcons, who were expected to be in a rebuilding... |
W 30–24 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
NBC | http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=54455&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=POST18 | 10–7 |
| Divisional Round | January 10, 2009 | 6:15 p.m. | Carolina Panthers 2008 Carolina Panthers season -Preseason:-Regular season:-Postseason:-Week 1: at San Diego Chargers:The Carolina Panthers and San Diego Chargers were locked in a defensive battle in the first quarter. John Kasay made three field goals while Philip Rivers connected with Chris Chambers on a 44-yard pass to score. At halftime the... |
W 33–13 | Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East... |
Fox | http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=54460&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=POST19&override=true | 11–7 |
| NFC Championship | January 18, 2009 | 1:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Eagles 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 76th season as a franchise in the National Football League. The Eagles improved upon their 8–8 record and fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9–6–1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The team lost in the... |
W 32–25 | University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl... |
Fox | http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=54463&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2008&week=POST20&override=true | 12–7 |
| Super Bowl XLIII Super Bowl XLIII Super Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,... |
February 1, 2009 | 4:20 p.m. | Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League . The season concluded with the team winning Super Bowl XLIII to become the first franchise in the NFL with six Super Bowl titles.... |
L 27–23 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
NBC | 12–8 |
Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers
The Cardinals began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC West rival, the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. In the first quarter, Arizona took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 25-yard field goal. The 49ers responded with RB Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
's 41-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals responded with QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a one-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
, yet San Francisco tied the game with kicker Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
getting a 39-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Cardinals began to soar as Rackers got a 31-yard field goal, along with rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting a two-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers tried to respond with Nedney getting a 30-yard field goal. Afterwards, Rackers' 30-yard field goal sealed the victory for Arizona.
With the win, the Cardinals began their season at 1–0.
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins
Coming off their divisional road win over the 49ers, the Cardinals played their Week 2 home opener against the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals scored first as QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
threw 2 TD passes (a 79-yarder and a three-yarder) to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. In the second quarter, Arizona increased their lead with a 45 yard field goal by Neil Rackers. In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased its lead to 24–0 with rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting a one-yard TD run. In the process, he became the first Cardinals rookie running back to ever score in each of his first two games. The Dolphins finally got on the board when kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
nailed a 32-yard field goal. The Cardinals replied with Warner and Boldin hooking up with each other for a third time on an eight-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, Miami tried to rally as RB Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
got a one-yard TD run, but Arizona held on for a dominating win.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to its first 2–0 start since 1991. This game was also one of three times that Kurt Warner finished a game with a perfect passer rating.
Week 3: at Washington Redskins
Coming off their home win over the Dolphins, the Cardinals flew to FedEx Field for a Week 3 duel with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Redskins RB Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
got a three-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals continued to trail as kicker Shaun Suisham
Shaun Suisham
Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian placekicker of American football for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
got a 48-yard field goal. The Cardinals would end the half with QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a four-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. In the third quarter, the Cardinals tied the game with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
nailing a 26-yard field goal, yet Washington responded with QB Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
completing a two-yard TD pass to TE Todd Yoder
Todd Yoder
Todd Yoder is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. Yoder was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000. He played college football at...
. Afterwards, Arizona answered with Warner completing a 62-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. However, in the fourth quarter, the Redskins pulled away with Campbell's 17-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss
Santana Moss
Santana Terrell Moss is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:...
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 2–1.
Week 4: at New York Jets
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Redskins, the Cardinals flew to The MeadowlandsGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
for a Week 4 interconference duel with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After a scoreless first quarter, Arizona started to trail big in the second quarter. The Jets took flight with QB Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Coles
Laveranues Leon Coles is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University....
, CB Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis
Though Revis was not the first defensive back drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft , he was the first cornerback taken that year...
returning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, Favre completing a 34-yard TD pass to Coles, kicker Jay Feely
Jay Feely
Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....
getting 20-yard field goal, Favre completing a two-yard TD pass to Coles, and Feely kicking a 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals responded with RB Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami....
getting a four-yard and a two-yard TD run, along with rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting a one-yard TD run. In the third quarter, New York answered with Favre's 17-yard TD pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
. The Cardinals would reply with QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing an eight-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
, yet the Jets continued their victory march with Favre's 40-yard TD pass to Cotchery. Arizona tried to rally as Warner completed a 14-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Wayne Urban is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Trinity University by the Seattle Seahawks and served as a reserve wide receiver during his years there...
, but New York sealed the win with Favre's 24-yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller
Dustin Keller
-New York Jets:Keller was drafted by the New York Jets 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Keller was slowly phased into the offense and eventually finished with productive numbers in part of the presence of the veteran Brett Favre. Keller finished a strong rookie season with 48 receptions, 535...
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 2–2.
Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills
Hoping to rebound from their miserable road loss to the Jets, the Cardinals went home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a two-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting a 17-yard TD run. The Bills responded with QB J. P. Losman completing an 87-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans
Lee Evans (American football)
-Buffalo Bills:Evans was initially assigned the jersey number 84. Evans, as a reference to his full name, had always worn the number 3 in college, a number that was not allowed to be used in professional football for wide receivers...
, yet the Cardinals answered right back with RB Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami....
getting a one-yard TD run. Buffalo would answer with Losman getting a two-yard TD run, yet the Cardinals continued its momentum with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
getting a 47-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Bills tried to come back as kicker Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
got a 48-yard field goal, but Arizona kept its intensity up as Warner completed a two-yard TD pass to Fitzgerald. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals pulled away as Rackers nailed a 38-yard field goal, along with Hightower getting a two-yard TD run.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 3–2.
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their rout over the Bills, the Cardinals stayed at home for a crucial Week 6 showdown with the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals immediately took flight as RB J. J. Arrington returned the game's opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Cowboys tied the game as QB Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
completed a 55-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton
Patrick Crayton
Patrick Jamel Crayton is an American football wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was a originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
. In the third quarter, Dallas took the lead with Romo completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Miles Austin
Miles Austin
Miles Jonathon Austin III is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. Arizona would tie the game with QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a two-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals regained the lead as Warner completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, along with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
getting a 41-yard field goal. However, the Cowboys tied the game as Romo completed a 70-yard TD pass to RB Marion Barber
Marion Barber III
Marion Sylvester Barber III is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....
, along with kicker Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
nailing a 52-yard field goal. In overtime, after forcing a three-and-out, Arizona got the win as WR Sean Morey blocked a Mat McBriar
Mat McBriar
Mat McBriar is an Australian American football punter in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:McBriar began as an Australian rules football player, playing Australian rules for Brighton Grammar School...
punt attempt, allowing LB Monty Beisel
Monty Beisel
Monty Beisel is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
to return it 3 yards for the game-winning touchdown. McBriar would end up with his foot fractured and put on the IR by the Cowboys.
With the impressive win, the Cardinals entered their bye week at 4–2.
In the NFL's 423rd recorded overtime game, this was the first game to end with a blocked punt getting returned for a touchdown.
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
Coming off their bye week, the Cardinals flew to Bank of America StadiumBank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
for a Week 8 duel with the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead as QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. The Panthers closed out the half with kicker John Kasay
John Kasay
John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia...
getting a 23-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased their lead as rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a two-yard TD run. However, Carolina began to rally as RB DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
got a 15-yard TD run, while QB Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith. The Cardinals replied with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a two-yard TD pass (with a failed PAT), but the Panthers took the lead on Delhomme's 65-yard TD pass to Smith. In the fourth quarter, Carolina pulled away as Kasay nailed a 50-yard field goal.
With the tough loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–3.
Week 9: at St. Louis Rams
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Panthers, the Cardinals flew to the Edward Jones DomeEdward Jones Dome
The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was...
for a Week 9 NFC West duel with the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Rams QB Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
completed an 80-yard TD pass to WR Derek Stanley
Derek Stanley
Derek Stanley is an gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. In the second quarter, the Cardinals took flight as Safety Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 36-yard field goal, rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a 30-yard TD run, and former Rams QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a 56-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Wayne Urban is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Trinity University by the Seattle Seahawks and served as a reserve wide receiver during his years there...
.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals continued their domination as Warner completed a seven-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis tried to rally as Bulger completed a three-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt
Torry Holt
After injuring his knee at the Senior Bowl, Holt, at 192 pounds, ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches at the 1999 NFL Combine-St. Louis Rams:...
(with a failed two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
.) Fortunately, Arizona pulled away as Rackers nailed a 30-yard field goal.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 5–3.
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Coming off their divisional road win over the Rams, the Cardinals went home for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
on Monday Night Football. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as 49ers CB Allen Rossum
Allen Rossum
Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American football cornerback and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
returned the game's opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals would respond as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, San Francisco added onto their lead as QB Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
completed a 31-yard TD pass to WR Josh Morgan
Josh Morgan
Joshua Lewis Morgan is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech.-High school career:Morgan played quarterback, wide receiver...
. The Cardinals would answer with QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
, along with Rackers getting a 33-yard field goal. The 49ers would close out the half with Hill completing an 18-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis
-2006 rookie season:Vernon's first reception in the NFL was a 31-yard touchdown catch, against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10, 2006. He added a career-long 52-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on December 10 with a short catch followed by a long run. Davis played in ten games in...
.
In the third quarter, Arizona crept closer again as Warner completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
, yet San Francisco replied with kicker Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
getting a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals took the lead as Rackers nailed a 23-yard field goal, along with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a five-yard TD pass (with a failed two-point conversion.) The 49ers would mount a late comeback drive, but Arizona made a successful goal-line stand as time ran out.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6–3.
Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks
Coming off their close MNF home win over the 49ers, the Cardinals flew to Qwest FieldQwest Field
CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...
for a Week 11 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. In the first quarter, the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 38-yard field goal, along with RB J. J. Arrington getting a four-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead with Rackers making a 48-yard field goal. The Seahawks answered with QB Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
completing a 13-yard TD pass to RB Maurice Morris
Maurice Morris
Maurice Autora Morris is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon.-Early life:Morris attended Chester High School in Chester, South...
. The Cardinals would close out the half with Rackers getting a 54-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Cardinals increased their lead as Rackers nailed a 26-yard field goal and QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a six-yard TD pass to Arrington. In the fourth quarter, Seattle tried to rally as RB T. J. Duckett got a one-yard TD run (with a failed two-point conversion) and a two-yard TD run. Fortunately, rookie CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
-Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind...
came up with the game-winning interception.
With the win, not only did the Cardinals win three straight for the first time since 2002, but they improved to 7–3 for the first time since 1977.
Week 12: vs. New York Giants
Coming off their divisional road win over the Seahawks, the Cardinals went home for a Week 12 duel with the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Arizona took fight as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 34-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with RB Derrick Ward
Derrick Ward
Derrick LaRon Ward is an American football running back for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State University and Ottawa University...
getting a one-yard TD run. The Cardinals would regain the lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting a four-yard TD run (with a failed extra-point attempt), yet New York answered with kicker John Carney getting a 33-yard field goal. The Cardinals would reply with Rackers making a 20-yard field goal, yet the Giants closed out the half with QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
completing a 12-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer
Amani Toomer is a retired American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan, where he was a fan favorite.Toomer has also been a member of the Kansas...
.
In the third quarter, New York increased their lead as Manning completed a two-yard TD pass to FB Madison Hedgecock
Madison Hedgecock
Madison Smith Hedgecock is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina....
. Arizona would answer with Hightower getting a one-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Giants were starting to pull away as Manning completed a 10-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League...
, while Carney made a 27-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to keep pace as QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a five-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
, yet New York replied with Carney's 33-yard field goal. Arizona tried to come back as Rackers nailed a 44-yard field goal, but their following onside kick failed, preserving the Giants' win.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 7–4.
Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles
Hoping to rebound from their tough home loss to the Giants, the Cardinals flew to Lincoln Financial FieldLincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
for a Week 13 Thanksgiving battle with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Arizona trailed early as Eagles QB Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
completed a five-yard TD pass to RB Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook
Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova...
, while Westbrook got a one-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Cardinals continued to trail as McNabb hooked up with Westbrook again on a two-yard TD pass. The Cardinals would respond as QB Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a one-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. Philadelphia would close out the half with kicker David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
making a 42-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Arizona's struggles continued as Westbrook got a nine-yard TD run. The Cardinals would answer with Warner completed a six-yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
(with a failed two-point conversion.) The Eagles would reply as Akers got a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals tried to rally as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a seven-yard TD pass. However, Philadelphia replied with McNabb completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
, along with an eight-yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant
Jason Avant
Jason Raye Avant is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
.
With the loss, the Cardinals fell to 7–5.
Week 14: vs. St. Louis Rams
Arizona dominated St Louis to win the NFC West and clinch their first home playoff game since 1947. Arizona took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter after a one-yard TD run by Tim HightowerTim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
and a Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
12-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. In the second quarter the Rams would score on a three-yard TD pass from Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
to Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson
Steven Rashad Jackson is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams 24th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State University....
, following a Kurt Warner interception. The Cardinals would respond with two field goals from Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
from 44 and 22 yards to make the halftime score 20–7. In the third quarter, Cardinals linebacker, Gerald Hayes
Gerald Hayes
Gerald Hayes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh....
, would force two Steven Jackson fumbles, the second one recovered by Darnell Dockett
Darnell Dockett
Darnell Maurice Dockett is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. Arizona picked him in the 3rd round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, who would return it 11 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. Down 27–7, the Rams attempted to come back in the fourth quarter, starting with a Josh Brown 51-yard field goal to make the score 27–10, but a Bulger pass was intercepted by rookie cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
-Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind...
, for 99 yards, for the touchdown that sealed the game and propelled the Cardinals to their first playoff game since 1998, and their first division title since the days the Cardinals were in St. Louis in 1975.
With the win, the Cardinals record improved to 8–5.
Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Cardinals dueled with the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs. Things looked bleak for the Cardinals from the beginning. The Vikings began their first quarter attack with a 82-yard punt return for a TD by Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian is a free agent American football wide receiver who last played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. Two turnovers for the Cardinals, Kurt Warner interception and an Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
fumble, would lead to two touchdown passes from Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, a 41-yard pass to Berrian and a 19-yard pass to Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
. The Vikings took a 28–0 lead at halftime after an 11-yard TD pass from Jackson to Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. The Cardinals would rally to cut the lead in half with a Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Wayne Urban is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Trinity University by the Seattle Seahawks and served as a reserve wide receiver during his years there...
50-yard TD catch and a field goal blocked by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
-Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind...
and recovered by Roderick Hood
Roderick Hood
Roderick "Rod" Hood is an American football cornerback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
, who returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings would pull away at the end of the third quarter when Jackson threw a 59-yard TD pass to Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade
Robert Louis Wade, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
.
With the loss, the Cardinals dropped to 8–6.
Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
was benched on the Cardinals last drive in the fourth quarter via a coaching decision.
Week 16: at New England Patriots
Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Vikings, the Cardinals flew to Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
for a Week 16 interconference duel with the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Patriots running back LaMont Jordan
LaMont Jordan
LaMont Damon Jordan is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
got a one-yard and a three-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals' east coast struggles continued in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel
Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Faulk
Kevin Faulk
Kevin Troy Faulk is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at LSU.As of 2010, Faulk is the longest-tenured current member of the Patriots,...
and an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
, followed by kicker Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
's 38-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Arizona's deficit continued to climb as Cassel completed a 76-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, followed by Gostkowski's 35- and 24-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New England concluded its domination with Gostkowski's 30-yard field goal. The Cardinals would then get a meaningless touchdown as quarterback Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
completed a 78-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
.
With the loss, Arizona fell to 8–7.
Original starting quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
(6/18 for 30 yards) was pulled in the third quarter via coach's decision.
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Hoping to close out the regular season on a positive note, the Cardinals went home for a Week 17 NFC West rematch with the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Seahawks running back T. J. Duckett got a one-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond in the second quarter with quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Urban
Jerheme Wayne Urban is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Trinity University by the Seattle Seahawks and served as a reserve wide receiver during his years there...
and a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. Seattle would tie the game at halftime with quarterback Seneca Wallace
Seneca Wallace
Seneca Isayha Wallace is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
.
Arizona would regain the lead in the third quarter as Warner completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston
Steve Breaston
Steven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. Seattle tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Wallace completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Branch, yet the Cardinals would close out the game with kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
nailing a 23- and a 32-yard field goal.
With the win, the Cardinals closed out the regular season at 9–7.
Playoffs
The Cardinals sent a total of 5 players to the 2009 Pro Bowl2009 Pro Bowl
The 2009 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2008 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 8, 2009. This was the last time that a Pro Bowl game was held after the NFL Super Bowl game...
. On offense, Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
was the starting quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both at wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. On defense, Adrian Wilson went as one of the conference's defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
s. Sean Morey would be start on special teams. This is arguably the most successful season in modern Cardinals history.
NFC Wild Card round: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Entering the playoffs at the NFC's fourth seed, the Cardinals began their playoff run at home against the #5 Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, in their first home playoff game since 1947.
Arizona got the early lead in the first quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. The Falcons responded with kicker Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
's 30-yard field goal, yet the Cardinals struck right back as Warner completed a 71-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. Boldin pulled his hamstring running down the sideline and did not return. Atlanta took the halftime lead with running back Michael Turner getting a seven-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan (American football)
Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan , nicknamed "Matty Ice," is the starting American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...
completing a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Justin Peelle
Justin Peelle
Justin Morris Peelle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
following a Kurt Warner interception.
Arizona regained the lead in the third quarter as safety Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
returned a Turner fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, while rookie running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
got a four-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals increased their lead in the fourth quarter as defensive end Antonio Smith sacked Ryan in his own endzone for a safety. The Falcons tried to come back as Ryan completed a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
, yet Arizona's offense drained any second that Atlanta needed to rally. The Cardinals ended any chance the Falcons had for a comeback when Kurt Warner hooked up with tight end Stephen Spach
Stephen Spach
Stephen Spach is an American football tight end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
for 23 yards on a third and sixteen with 2:16 left in the game.
With the win, the Cardinals improved their overall record to 10–7.
NFC Divisional Round: at Carolina Panthers
Coming off their wild card home win over the Falcons, the Cardinals flew to Bank of America StadiumBank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
for the NFC Divisional round against the #2 Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, in a rematch of their Week 8 contest. The Panthers came in 8–0 at home and the Cardinals were 0–5 on the East Coast.
Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Creon Stewart is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oregon.-High school career:Stewart is the career leading rusher in...
got a nine-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would respond with quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a three-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
, followed by running back Edgerrin James
Edgerrin James
Edgerrin Tyree James is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts fourth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami....
' four-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Arizona took control as kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
got a 49-yard and a 30-yard field goal, followed by Warner's 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
.
The Cardinals would add onto their lead in the third quarter as Rackers made a 33-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Arizona would end its dominating night with Rackers nailing a 20-yard field goal. Carolina would end the game's scoring with quarterback Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
's eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith (with a failed two-point conversion.)
With this upset win, not only did the Cardinals improve their overall record to 11–7, but they also advanced to their first NFC Championship Game
NFC Championship Game
The National Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two semi-final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the...
in franchise history.
Arizona's defense forced Delhomme into six turnovers (five interceptions and one fumble), along with holding the Panthers' running back duo of Williams
DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Williams was drafted by the Panthers 27th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Stewart to 74 combined rushing yards.
Fitzgerald (8 receptions and a touchdown) would set a franchise postseason record with 166 receiving yards. Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
did not play due to a hamstring injury, but Fitzgerald was able to make up the difference.
With the win the Cardinals moved to 11–7. Because the Eagles won the next day, Arizona hosted the NFC Championship Game. The Cardinals also won their first game on the East Coast this season.
NFC Championship: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off their east-coast divisional road win over the Panthers, the Cardinals went home for the NFC Championship GameNFC Championship Game
The National Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two semi-final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the...
against the #6 Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who were coming off their victory over the #1 New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, in a rematch of their Thanksgiving game.
Arizona capped off the game's opening kickoff with a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
. The Eagles responded with kicker David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
making a 45-yard field goal. With the score at 7–3, Akers missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, the first he missed in his last 20 attempts in the postseason, an NFL Record. The Cardinals answered in the second quarter as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a flea-flicker, Warner to Arrington, back to Warner, who threw it to Fitzgerald for a 62-yard TD pass. Philadelphia struck back as Akers made a 33-yard field goal, but Arizona closed out the half with Warner's one-yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and kicker Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
' 49-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to make the score 24–6.
The Eagles began to rally in the third quarter as quarterback Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
completed a six-yard and a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek
Brent Celek
Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:...
with a failed PAT on the latter touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Philadelphia took the lead on 62-yard touchdown pass from McNabb to rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
. The Eagles went for the two-point conversion, hoping for a three point lead, but failed, leaving the score 25–24. However, the Cardinals regained the lead when Warner completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
and a successful two-point conversion pass by Warner to tight end Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Duke and Delaware....
. The Arizona defense was able to prevent Philadelphia from making a comeback, as the Eagles drove to the Arizona 47, but then McNabb threw four straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs. The Cardinals went three and out on the next possession, giving the Eagles only seven seconds in the game, but the Eagles were unable to score on a 93-yard hook and ladder play after McNabb completed to Jackson, who attempted to lateral, but the lateral was picked off by defensive lineman Darnell Dockett
Darnell Dockett
Darnell Maurice Dockett is an American football defensive end who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. Arizona picked him in the 3rd round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
.
The Cardinals improved their overall record to 12–7, and also won their first National Football Conference crown, allowing them to advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. They became the first team since the 1979 Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
to finish the regular season with 9 wins and make it to the Super Bowl.
Fitzgerald had a stellar performance with 152 yards and three of Arizona's four touchdowns and setting a new postseason record with 419 receiving yards, surpassing the prior record set by Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
in 1988.
Super Bowl XLIII: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Two weeks following their NFC Championship victory over the Eagles, the Cardinals flew to Raymond James StadiumRaymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
for their Super Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII
Super Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,...
duel with the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed got an 18-yard field goal. The Steelers would add onto their lead as running back Gary Russell
Gary Russell (American football)
Gary Russell is an American football running back for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
got a one-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals would answer with quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
completing a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick
Ben Patrick is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Duke and Delaware....
. Arizona came close to scoring again nearing the end of the half, but Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
The Steelers would increase their lead in the third quarter as Reed nailed a 21-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals would take the lead as Warner completed a one-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison...
, Steelers center Justin Hartwig
Justin Hartwig
Justin Hartwig is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
being called for holding in his own endzone (giving Arizona a safety), and Warner hooking up with Fitzgerald again on a 64-yard touchdown pass. However, Pittsburgh responded with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
completing a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State...
. The Cardinals tried to come back, but the Steelers' defense forced a fumble to seal the win.
With the loss, Arizona closed out their season with an overall record of 12–8.