1996 Arizona Cardinals season

NFL team season

The 1996 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 98th season, 77th in the National Football League and ninth in Arizona. The team improved upon their previous output of 4–12, winning seven games.[1] Despite this improvement, the Cardinals failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourteenth consecutive season.

The low point of the season was providing a notorious New York Jets team with its only win in front of fewer than thirty thousand people. This was the first time the Cardinals had opposed the Jets since 1978.[2] The reason for this is that before the admission of the Texans in 2002, NFL scheduling formulas for games outside a team’s division were much more influenced by table position during the previous season.[3]

This was Boomer Esiason's only season with the Cardinals as he would re-sign with the Cincinnati Bengals after this season.

Offseason

NFL Draft

1996 Arizona Cardinals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 3 Simeon Rice *  Defensive end Illinois
2 32 Leeland McElroy  Running back Texas A&M
3 64 Johnny McWilliams  Tight end USC
4 112 Aaron Graham  Center Nebraska
5 137 James Dexter  Offensive tackle South Carolina
5 161 Harry Stamps  Offensive tackle Oklahoma
5 162 Dell McGee  Auburn
6 169 Mike Foley  Defensive end New Hampshire
7 212 Jarius Hayes  Tight end North Alabama
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1996 Arizona Cardinals staff

Front office

  • President – Bill Bidwill
  • Vice president – Larry Wilson
  • Assistant general manager – Joe Woolley
  • Assistant to the president – Bob Ferguson
  • Director of pro scouting – Keith Kidd
  • Director of college scouting – Bo Bolinger

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Al Everest

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki

Roster

1996 Arizona Cardinals final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad

53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad
Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 1 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–20 0–1 RCA Dome 48,133
2 September 8 Miami Dolphins L 10–38 0–2 Sun Devil Stadium 55,444
3 September 15 at New England Patriots L 0–31 0–3 Foxboro Stadium 59,118
4 September 22 at New Orleans Saints W 28–14 1–3 Louisiana Superdome 34,316
5 September 29 St. Louis Rams W 31–28 (OT) 2–3 Sun Devil Stadium 33,116
6 Bye
7 October 13 at Dallas Cowboys L 3–17 2–4 Texas Stadium 64,096
8 October 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–9 3–4 Sun Devil Stadium 27,738
9 October 27 New York Jets L 21–31 3–5 Sun Devil Stadium 28,088
10 November 3 at New York Giants L 8–16 3–6 Giants Stadium 68,262
11 November 10 at Washington Redskins W 37–34 4–6 RFK Stadium 51,929
12 November 17 New York Giants W 31–23 5–6 Sun Devil Stadium 34,924
13 November 24 Philadelphia Eagles W 36–30 6–6 Sun Devil Stadium 36,175
14 December 1 at Minnesota Vikings L 17–41 6–7 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 45,767
15 December 8 Dallas Cowboys L 6–10 6–8 Sun Devil Stadium 70,763
16 December 15 Washington Redskins W 27–26 7–8 Sun Devil Stadium 34,260
17 December 22 at Philadelphia Eagles L 19–29 7–9 Veterans Stadium 63,658
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 3 0713
Colts 0 10 01020

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 48,133
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.

Second quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 29-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
  • IND – Zack Crockett 2-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 7–6.
  • IND – Cary Blanchard 23-yard field goal. Colts 10–6.'

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • IND – Cary Blanchard 40-yard field goal. Colts 13–6.
  • IND – Marvin Harrison 35-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 20–6.
  • ARI – Boomer Esiason 2-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Colts 20–13.

Top passers

  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 25/38, 237 yards
  • IND – Jim Harbaugh – 16/25, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 11 receptions, 108 yards
  • IND – Marvin Harrison – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 17 7738
Cardinals 0 0 10010

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C)
  • Game attendance: 55,444
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 3-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 14–0.
  • MIA – Lamar Thomas 20-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 21–0.
  • MIA – Joe Nedney 36-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–0.

Third quarter

  • ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Dolphins 24–7.
  • ARI – Greg Davis 26-yard field goal. Dolphins 24–10.
  • MIA – Irving Spikes 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 31–10.

Fourth quarter

  • MIA – O.J. McDuffie 5-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 38–10.

Top passers

  • MIA – Dan Marino – 14/23, 178 yards, 2 TD
  • ARI – Kent Graham – 13/19, 133 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • MIA – Irving Spikes – 11 rushes, 79 yards, TD
  • ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 23 yards

Top receivers

  • MIA – Charles Jordan – 2 receptions, 51 yards
  • ARI – Frank Sanders – 8 receptions, 81 yards

Week 3: at New England Patriots

Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 000
Patriots 7 13 8331

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,118
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NE – Curtis Martin 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 14–0.
  • NE – Ben Coates 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (kick failed). Patriots 20–0.

Third quarter

  • NE – Curtis Martin 7-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Drew Bledsoe–Curtis Martin pass). Patriots 28–0.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Adam Vinatieri 31-yard field goal. Patriots 31–0.

Top passers

  • ARI – Kent Graham – 9/19, 111 yards, INT
  • NE – Drew Bledsoe – 21/35, 221 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 6 rushes, 31 yards
  • NE – Curtis Martin – 27 rushes, 91 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 56 yards
  • NE – Terry Glenn – 5 receptions, 66 yards

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 3 81428
Saints 0 7 0714

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 34,316
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.

Second quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.
  • NO – Brian Jones 11-yard blocked punt return (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–6.'

Third quarter

  • ARI – Rob Moore 20-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kent Graham–Rob Moore). Cardinals 14–7.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – LeShon Johnson 56-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 21–7.'
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson 70-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 28–7.'
  • NO – Haywood Jeffires 23-yard pass from Jim Everett (Doug Brien kick). Cardinals 28–14.

Top passers

  • ARI – Kent Graham – 11/25, 165 yards, TD
  • NO – Jim Everett – 18/33, 164 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 21 rushes, 214 yards, 2 TD
  • NO – Ray Zellars – 12 rushes, 57 yards

Top receivers

  • ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
  • NO – Haywood Jeffires – 2 receptions, 31 yards, TD

Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Rams 7 14 70028
Cardinals 0 14 014331

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 33,116
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • STL – Isaac Bruce 46-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 14–0.
  • ARI – Rob Moore 24-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 14–7.
  • STL – Eddie Kennison 34-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 21–7.
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson 2-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 21–14.

Third quarter

  • STL – Isaac Bruce 49-yard pass from Tony Banks (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 28–14.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – Larry Centers 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Rams 28–21.
  • ARI – Frank Sanders 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Tied 28–28.

Overtime

  • ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–28.

Top passers

  • STL – Tony Banks – 10/17, 186 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • ARI – Kent Graham – 37/58, 366 yards, 4 TD

Top rushers

  • STL – Harold Green – 10 rushes, 39 yards
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 97 yards

Top receivers

  • STL – Isaac Bruce – 4 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD
  • ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 7: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 033
Cowboys 0 3 7717

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,096
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 10–0.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 49-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–3.'
  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 13-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 17–3.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 5 rushes, 24 yards
  • DAL – Emmitt Smith – 21 rushes, 112 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • ARI – Rob Moore – 3 receptions, 45 yards
  • DAL – Michael Irvin – 5 receptions, 51 yards

Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 369
Cardinals 3 7 3013

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 27,738
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Greg Davis 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • TB – Michael Husted 41-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
  • ARI – Greg Davis 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Mike Alstott 1-yard run (kick failed). Cardinals 13–9.

Top passers

  • TB – Trent Dilfer – 22/35, 229 yards
  • ARI – Kent Graham – 17/26, 146 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • TB – Reggie Brooks – 14 rushes, 43 yards
  • ARI – Kent Graham – 5 rushes, 40 yards

Top receivers

  • TB – Courtney Hawkins – 6 receptions, 74 yards
  • ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 40 yards

Week 9: vs. New York Jets

Week 9: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 3 14 01431
Cardinals 0 0 14721

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 28,088
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 34-yard pass from Frank Reich (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 10–0.
  • NYJ – Richie Anderson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 17–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – Adrian Murrell 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 24–14.
  • ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 24–21.
  • NYJ – Reggie Cobb 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 31–21.

Top passers

  • NYJ – Frank Reich – 22/31, 254 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • ARI – Kent Graham – 17/32, 255 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 31 rushes, 199 yards, TD
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 12 rushes, 85 yards

Top receivers

  • NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
  • ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Week 10: at New York Giants

Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 088
Giants 3 0 31016

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,096
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays

Third quarter

  • NYG – Brad Daluiso 32-yard field goal. Giants 6–0.'

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Thomas Lewis 24-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 13–0.
  • NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. Giants 16–0.'
  • ARI – Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Boomer Esiason run). Giants 16–8.

Top passers

  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 20/40, 196 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • NYG – Danny Kanell – 14/27, 128 yards, TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 61 yards, TD
  • NYG – Thomas Lewis – 7 receptions, 77 yards, TD

Week 11: at Washington Redskins

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Cardinals 3 10 021337
Redskins 3 10 147034

at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,929
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Kevin Butler 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.'
  • WAS – Scott Blanton 53-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.'

Second quarter

  • WAS – Marc Logan 36-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 10–3.'
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 39-yard field goal. Redskins 10–6.'
  • ARI – Marcus Dowdell 64-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 13–10.
  • WAS – Scott Blanton 24-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.'

Third quarter

  • WAS – Michael Westbrook 17-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 20–13.
  • WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 27–13.'

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Redskins 27–20.'
  • WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 34–20.'
  • ARI – Johnny McWilliams 13-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Redskins 34–27.
  • ARI – Anthony Edwards 12-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 34–34.

Overtime

  • ARI – Kevin Butler 32-yard field goal. Cardinals 37–34.'

Top passers

  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 35/59, 522 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
  • WAS – Gus Frerotte – 18/36, 212 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 20 rushes, 65 yards
  • WAS – Terry Allen – 31 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • ARI – Marcus Dowdle – 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD
  • WAS – Michael Westbrook – 6 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. New York Giants

Week 12: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 6 71023
Cardinals 14 7 7331

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 34,924
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Rob Moore 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
  • ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–0.

Second quarter

  • NYG – Brad Daluiso 25-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–3.
  • ARI – Frank Sanders 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 21–3.
  • NYG – Brad Daluiso 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 21–6.

Third quarter

  • NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 4-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 21–13.
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 28–13.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 9-yard pass from Dave Brown (Brad Daluiso kick). Cardinals 28–20.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 18-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–20.
  • NYG – Brad Daluiso 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 31–23.

Top passers

  • NYG – Dave Brown – 22/41, 262 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/27, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 13 rushes, 50 yards
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 17 rushes, 48 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 95 yards
  • ARI – LeShon Johnson – 2 receptions, 50 yards

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 3 31730
Cardinals 3 10 32036

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 36,175
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 21-yard field goal. Eagles 7–3.

Second quarter

  • PHI – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal. Eagles 10–3.
  • ARI – Leeland McElroy 4-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 10–10.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10.

Third quarter

  • PHI – Gary Anderson 25-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 27-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – Pat Carter 6-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (pass failed). Cardinals 22–13.
  • PHI – Ricky Watters 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 22–20.
  • ARI – Larry Centers 2-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 29–20.
  • PHI – Derrick Witherspoon 95-yard kickoff return (Gary Anderson kick). Cardinals 29–27.
  • PHI – Gary Anderson 32-yard field goal. Eagles 30–29.
  • ARI – Marcus Dowdell 24-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 36–30.

Top passers

  • PHI – Ty Detmer – 21/38, 322 yards, INT
  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 24/43, 367 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • PHI – Ricky Watters – 25 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD
  • ARI – Larry Centers – 13 rushes, 45 yards

Top receivers

  • PHI – Irving Fryar – 7 receptions, 131 yards
  • ARI – Rob Moore – 9 receptions, 156 yards

Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 01417
Vikings 3 10 141441

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 45,767
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Scott Sisson 26-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0.'
  • MIN – Amp Lee 19-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 13–0.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 38-yard field goal. Vikings 13–3.'

Third quarter

  • MIN – Jake Reed 40-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 20–3.
  • MIN – Qadry Ismail 13-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 27–3.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 34–3.
  • ARI – Larry Centers 9-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Kevin Butler kick). Vikings 34–10.
  • MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Scott Sisson kick). Vikings 41–10.'
  • ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Vikings 41–17.'

Top passers

  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 26/40, 270 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • MIN – Brad Johnson – 19/26, 238 yards, 4 TD

Top rushers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 4 rushes, 21 yards, TD
  • MIN – Leroy Hoard – 22 rushes, 94 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • ARI – Larry Centers – 10 receptions, 85 yards, TD
  • MIN – Jake Reed – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 7310
Cardinals 3 3 006

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,763
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Kevin Butler 33-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.

Second quarter

  • ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Chris Boniol 31-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–6.

Top passers

  • DAL – Troy Aikman – 15/24, 255 yards, TD
  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 18/36, 224 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DAL – Michael Irving – 8 receptions, 198 yards, TD
  • ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 94 yards

Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 16: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 3 13 7326
Cardinals 7 7 31027

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 15
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 34,260
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ARI – Jamir Miller 26-yard fumble return (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–3.
  • WAS – Scott Turner 0-yard fumble return (Scott Blanton kick). Cardinals 14–10.
  • WAS – Scott Blanton 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–13.
  • WAS – Scott Blanton 23-yard field goal. Redskins 16–14.

Third quarter

  • WAS – Terry Allen 14-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 23–14.'
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 22-yard field goal. Redskins 23–17.

Fourth quarter

  • ARI – Frank Sanders 21-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 24–23.
  • WAS – Scott Blanton 35-yard field goal. Redskins 26–24.
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–26.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • WAS – Terry Allen – 17 rushes, 69 yards, TD
  • ARI – Leeland McElroy – 18 rushes, 59 yards

Top receivers

  • WAS – Michael Westbrook – 4 receptions, 59 yards
  • ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 31319
Eagles 13 10 3329

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,658
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • PHI – Mike Mamula 4-yard fumble return (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0.'
  • PHI – Gary Anderson 23-yard field goal. Eagles 10–0.'
  • PHI – Gary Anderson 22-yard field goal. Eagles 13–0.'

Second quarter

  • PHI – Gary Anderson 43-yard field goal. Eagles 16–0.'
  • ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. Eagles 16–3.'
  • PHI – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 23–3.'

Third quarter

  • ARI – Kevin Butler 41-yard field goal. Eagles 23–6.'
  • PHI – Gary Anderson 26-yard field goal. Eagles 26–6.'

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – Gary Anderson 39-yard field goal. Eagles 29–6.'
  • ARI – Leeland McElroy 22-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (kick failed). Eagles 29–12.
  • ARI – Aeneas Williams 65-yard interception return (Kevin Butler kick). Eagles 29–19.

Top passers

  • ARI – Boomer Esiason – 12/26, 138 yards, TD
  • PHI – Ty Detmer – 20/32, 216 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • ARI – Leeland McElroy – 9 rushes, 45 yards
  • PHI – Ricky Watters – 31 rushes, 99 yards, TD

Top receivers

Standings

NFC East
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 W L T PCT PF PA STK
(3) Dallas Cowboys 10 6 0 .625 286 250 L1
(5) Philadelphia Eagles 10 6 0 .625 363 341 W2
Washington Redskins 9 7 0 .563 364 312 W1
Arizona Cardinals 7 9 0 .438 300 397 L1
New York Giants 6 10 0 .375 242 297 L2

References

  1. ^ 1996 Arizona Cardinals
  2. ^ Arizona Cardinals v New York Jets
  3. ^ History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats
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  • e
Arizona Cardinals seasons
Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
Bold indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance