NFL team season
The 1996 Arizona Cardinals season National Football League and ninth in Arizona . The team improved upon their previous output of 4–12, winning seven games.[ 1]
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 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.
1996 Arizona Cardinals staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Special teams – Al Everest Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
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.
Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts [ edit ]
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
3
3
0 7 13
Colts 0
10
0 10 20
at RCA Dome , Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : September 1Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 48,133Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
IND – Cary Blanchard 40-yard field goal. Colts 13–6.
IND – Marvin Harrison 35-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 20–6.
ARI – Boomer Esiason 2-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Colts 20–13.
Top passers
ARI – Boomer Esiason – 25/38, 237 yards
IND – Jim Harbaugh – 16/25, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Centers – 11 receptions, 108 yards
IND – Marvin Harrison – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins [ edit ]
Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins 7
17
7 7 38
Cardinals
0
0
10 0 10
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Date : September 8Game time : 6:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 90 °F (32 °C)Game attendance : 55,444Box 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
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
Week 3: at New England Patriots [ edit ]
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 0 0
Patriots 7
13
8 3 31
at Foxboro Stadium , Foxborough, Massachusetts
Date : September 15Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 64 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 59,118Box 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 [ edit ]
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals 3
3
8 14 28
Saints
0
7
0 7 14
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : September 22Game time : 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 34,316Box 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
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 [ edit ]
Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Rams
7
14
7 0 0 28
Cardinals 0
14
0 14 3 31
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : September 29Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 83 °F (28 °C)Game attendance : 33,116Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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 [ edit ]
Week 7: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 3 3
Cowboys 0
3
7 7 17
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : October 13Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 64,096Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 10–0. Fourth quarter
ARI – Greg Davis 49-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–3.'
DAL – Emmitt Smith 13-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 17–3.
Top passers
Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 5 rushes, 24 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 21 rushes, 112 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ edit ]
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
0
0
3 6 9
Cardinals 3
7
3 0 13
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 20Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 73 °F (23 °C)Game attendance : 27,738Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Greg Davis 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
TB – Michael Husted 41-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
ARI – Greg Davis 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3. Fourth quarter
Top passers
TB – Trent Dilfer – 22/35, 229 yards
ARI – Kent Graham – 17/26, 146 yards, TD Top rushers
TB – Reggie Brooks – 14 rushes, 43 yards
ARI – Kent Graham – 5 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers
Week 9: vs. New York Jets [ edit ]
Week 9: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets 3
14
0 14 31
Cardinals
0
0
14 7 21
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 27Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 53 °F (12 °C)Game attendance : 28,088Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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 [ edit ]
Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 8 8
Giants 3
0
3 10 16
at Giants Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : November 3Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 42 °F (6 °C)Game attendance : 64,096Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 32-yard field goal. Giants 6–0.' Fourth quarter
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 [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
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
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 [ edit ]
Week 12: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
0
6
7 10 23
Cardinals 14
7
7 3 31
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 17Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 34,924Box Score
Game information
First quarter
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
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 [ edit ]
Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
7
3
3 17 30
Cardinals 3
10
3 20 36
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 24Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 61 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 36,175Box Score
Game information
First quarter
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
Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings [ edit ]
Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
3
0 14 17
Vikings 3
10
14 14 41
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome , Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 1Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 45,767Box 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 [ edit ]
Week 15: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cowboys 0
0
7 3 10
Cardinals
3
3
0 0 6
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 8Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 63 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 70,763Box Score
Game information
First quarter
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 [ edit ]
Week 16: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins
3
13
7 3 26
Cardinals 7
7
3 10 27
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 15Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 61 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 34,260Box 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 [ edit ]
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
3
3 13 19
Eagles 13
10
3 3 29
at Veterans Stadium , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date : December 22Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 30 °F (−1 °C)Game attendance : 63,658Box 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
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (7) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Current league affiliations
Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
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