2012 Arizona Cardinals season
NFL team season
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The 2012 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 93rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 25th in Arizona, and their sixth and final season under head coach Ken Whisenhunt. After a surprising 4–0 start, which included a major upset of the New England Patriots in week 2, the Cardinals lost 11 of their final 12 games, and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, resulting in the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt after six seasons. This was Rod Graves' last season as general manager of the Cardinals. A day after the final game of the regular season, he was fired after 6 seasons.
2012 draft class
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Michael Floyd | Wide receiver | Notre Dame |
| 2 | None[A] | |||
| 3 | 80 | Jamell Fleming | Cornerback | Oklahoma |
| 4 | 112 | Bobby Massie | Offensive tackle | Ole Miss |
| 5 | 151 | Senio Kelemete | Guard | Washington |
| 6 | 177[B] | Justin Bethel | Safety | Presbyterian |
| 185 | Ryan Lindley | Quarterback | San Diego State | |
| 7 | 221 | Nate Potter | Offensive tackle | Boise State |
Staff
| Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
| Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
| Reserve lists
| ||||||
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOF | August 5 | vs. New Orleans Saints | L 10–17 | 0–1 | Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio) | Recap |
| 1 | August 10 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 17–27 | 0–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 17 | Oakland Raiders | W 31–27 | 1–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | at Tennessee Titans | L 27–32 | 1–3 | LP Field | Recap |
| 4 | August 30 | Denver Broncos | L 13–16 | 1–4 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 9 | Seattle Seahawks | W 20–16 | 1–0 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 16 | at New England Patriots | W 20–18 | 2–0 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 27–6 | 3–0 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 30 | Miami Dolphins | W 24–21 (OT) | 4–0 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 4 | at St. Louis Rams | L 3–17 | 4–1 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap |
| 6 | October 14 | Buffalo Bills | L 16–19 (OT) | 4–2 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 21 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 14–21 | 4–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Recap |
| 8 | October 29 | San Francisco 49ers | L 3–24 | 4–4 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | November 4 | at Green Bay Packers | L 17–31 | 4–5 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
| 10 | Bye | |||||
| 11 | November 18 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 19–23 | 4–6 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
| 12 | November 25 | St. Louis Rams | L 17–31 | 4–7 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | December 2 | at New York Jets | L 6–7 | 4–8 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 9 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 0–58 | 4–9 | CenturyLink Field | Recap |
| 15 | December 16 | Detroit Lions | W 38–10 | 5–9 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 23 | Chicago Bears | L 13–28 | 5–10 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | December 30 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 13–27 | 5–11 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
- Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 16 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: September 9
- Game time: 1:25 pm. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,032
- Referee: Bruce Hermansen
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Heath Evans and Heidi Androl
The Cardinals began their season at home against their divisional rival Seahawks with quarterback John Skelton at the starting helm. The team started their season 1–0 despite Skelton finishing the game 14/28 for 149 yards and an interception. Kevin Kolb later on made a appearance in relief of Skelton going 6/8 for 66 yards and a touchdown pass.
Week 2: at New England Patriots
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 6 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Patriots | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 18 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: September 16
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/10:00 a.m MDT
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 68,756
- Referee: David Scott
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In a huge upset at Gillette Stadium, the Cardinals beat the Patriots to become 2–0. This was the Cardinals' first win against the Patriots since 1991.
Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week Three: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Cardinals | 10 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 27 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 1:05 pm. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,436
- Referee: Mike Shepherd
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the win, the Cardinals started 3–0 for the first time since 1974.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Four: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 0 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 24 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: September 30
- Game time: 1:05 pm. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,183
- Referee: Scott Green
- TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 5: at St. Louis Rams
Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
- Date: October 4
- Game time: 7:20 pm. CDT/5:20 pm. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 54,653
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (NFLN): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
This was the Cardinals' 700th loss. They became the first team in NFL history to do this.
Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Six: Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 14
- Game time: 1:05 pm. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,385
- Referee: Alberto Riveron
- TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
With the tough loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–2 and also with the Seahawks' win over the Patriots and the 49ers' loss to the Giants, the team remained in a tie for first place in the NFC West.
Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Seven: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: October 21
- Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT/10:00 am. MDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 61,068
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Eight: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 29
- Game time: 5:30 pm. MDT
- Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C), sunny & clear skies (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 62,810
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
Week Nine: Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Packers | 7 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: November 4
- Game time: 12:00 pm. CST/11:00 am. MST
- Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), mostly cloudy
- Game attendance: 70,504
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
Losing their fifth straight game of the season by remaining winless at Lambeau Field (0–7), the Cardinals headed into their bye week at 4–5.
Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 13 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| Falcons | 0 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 23 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 18
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/11:00 am. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,630
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Week 12: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: November 25
- Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 60,062
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Week 13: at New York Jets
Week Thirteen: Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Jets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/11:00 am. MST
- Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 79,088
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Fourteen: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seahawks | 10 | 28 | 13 | 7 | 58 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
- Date: December 9
- Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
- Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), rain
- Game attendance: 67,685
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan, and Jaime Maggio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Cardinals were not only eliminated from postseason contention and also falling to 4–9, but the 58-point loss was the worst in franchise history. They committed 8 turnovers, which was the most that the Cardinals have ever committed in a game. Arizona only had 154 yards of total offense while the defense gave up 493 yards.
The Cardinals also became the first team in NFL history to lose 9 consecutive games after starting 4–0.
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Fifteen: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 21 | 3 | 14 | 38 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 2:05 pm. MST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), sunny, clear skies (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 60,483
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
With this win the Cardinals ended their 9 game losing streak.
Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: December 23
- Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
- Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 62,734
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Seventeen: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 27 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: December 30
- Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
- Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 69,732
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
With this loss, the Cardinals surpassed the 1989 Chicago Bears for the worst record by an NFL team starting 4–0.[1]
Standings
| NFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| (2) San Francisco 49ers | 11 | 4 | 1 | .719 | 3–2–1 | 7–4–1 | 397 | 273 | W1 |
| (5) Seattle Seahawks | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 3–3 | 8–4 | 412 | 245 | W5 |
| St. Louis Rams | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | 299 | 348 | L1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 250 | 357 | L2 |
Footnotes
- ^ The Cardinals traded their second-round selection and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback Kevin Kolb.
- ^ The Cardinals acquired this sixth-round selection (No. 177 overall) and defensive end Vonnie Holliday in a trade that sent running back Tim Hightower to the Washington Redskins.
References
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Team Record Finder Query Results: From 1961 to 2017, excluding 1982 and 1987, show the final records of teams that started 4–0
External links
- Official website
Media related to 2012 Arizona Cardinals season at Wikimedia Commons
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