1996 Arizona Cardinals season

NFL team season

1996 Arizona Cardinals season

Owner| Bill Bidwill
Head coach| Vince Tobin
Home field| Sun Devil Stadium
Results
Record| 7–9
Division place| 4th NFC East
Playoff finish| Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers| FB Larry Centers
WR Rob Moore
CB Aeneas Williams
All-Pros| FB Larry Centers (1st team)
CB Aeneas Williams (2nd team)

* <- 1995
* Cardinals seasons
* 1997 ->

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

[edit]

### NFL draft

[edit]

Main article: 1996 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

[edit]

### Staff

[edit]

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

* Head coach – Vince Tobin

Offensive coaches

* Offensive coordinator – Jim Fassel
* Running backs – Jim Skipper
* Wide receivers – Vic Rapp
* Tight ends/quality control – Geep Chryst
* Offensive line – Carl Mauck

|  |  | Defensive coaches

* Defensive coordinator – Dave McGinnis
* Defensive line – Joe Greene
* Linebackers – Glenn Pires
* Defensive backs – Larry Marmie

Special teams coaches

* Special teams – Al Everest

Strength and conditioning

* Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki

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### Roster

[edit]

1996 Arizona Cardinals roster Quarterbacks (QB)

* 15 Stoney Case
* 7 Boomer Esiason
* 11 Kent Graham
* 5 Chad May

Running backs (RB)

* 37 Larry Centers FB
* 36 Ryan Christopherson FB
* 32 LeShon Johnson
* 30 Leeland McElroy KR
* 40 Derrick Moore
* 45 Cedric Smith FB

Wide receivers (WR)

* 82 Stevie Anderson
* 84 Marcus Dowdell PR
* 83 Anthony Edwards
* 85 Rob Moore
* 81 Frank Sanders

Tight ends (TE)

* 80 Pat Carter
* 89 Jarius Hayes
* 87 Johnny McWilliams

|  | Offensive linemen (OL)

* 75 Lomas Brown T
* 62 Mike Devlin C/G
* 64 James Dexter T
* 54 Aaron Graham C
* 66 Eric Jonassen T
* 73 Matt Joyce T
* 60 Anthony Redmon G
* 78 Joe Staysniak G/T
* 68 Joe Wolf T

Defensive linemen (DL)

* 63 Michael Bankston DE
* 76 Jerry Drake DT
* 92 Eric England DE
* 96 Brad Ottis DE
* 79 Simeon Rice DE
* 98 Eric Swann DT
* 94 Bernard Wilson DT

|  | Linebackers (LB)

* 58 Eric Hill MLB
* 56 Terry Irving OLB
* 59 Seth Joyner OLB
* 52 Wesley Leasy OLB
* 55 Devon McDonald OLB
* 57 Ronald McKinnon MLB
* 95 Jamir Miller OLB

Defensive backs (DB)

* 46 Brent Alexander FS
* 28 Tommy Bennett SS
* 23 Ronnie Bradford CB
* 43 Matt Darby SS
* 44 D. J. Johnson CB
* 42 Kwamie Lassiter FS
* 47 JJ McCleskey CB
* 27 Tito Paul CB
* 35 Aeneas Williams CB

Special teams

* 3 Kevin Butler K
* 10 Jeff Feagles P
* 86 Trey Junkin LS

|  | Practice squad

* 16 Fred Brock WR
* 61 Ryan Leahy G
* 24 Dell McGee CB
* 69 Leslie Ratliffe T
* 17 Michael Watkins WR

53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad Reserve

* 90 Blaine Berger DT (IR)
* 65 Ernest Dye T (IR)
* 67 Duval Love G (IR)
* 70 Lance Scott C (IR)
* 74 Rob Selby G (IR)

Rookies in italics

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## Regular season

[edit]

### Schedule

[edit]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance

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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

[edit]

### Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts

[edit]

Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 0| 7| 13
Colts | 0 | 10 | 0| 10| 20

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Tim Green
* 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

* ARI – Leeland McElroy – 17 rushes, 63 yards
* IND – Marshall Faulk – 12 rushes, 46 yards

Top receivers

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

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### Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

[edit]

Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Dolphins | 7 | 17 | 7| 7| 38
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 10| 0| 10

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
* TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist, Pat Haden, Ernie Johnson
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 3-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 7–0.

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

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### Week 3: at New England Patriots

[edit]

Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0| 0| 0
Patriots | 7 | 13 | 8| 3| 31

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan, Jerry Glanville
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* NE – Curtis Martin 13-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 7–0.

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

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### Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

[edit]

Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 8| 14| 28
Saints | 0 | 7 | 0| 7| 14

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Eric Clemons, Jim Burt
* 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

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### Week 5: vs. St. Louis Rams

[edit]

Week 5: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| OT| Total

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Rams | 7 | 14 | 7| 0| 0| 28
Cardinals | 0 | 14 | 0| 14| 3| 31

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Eric Clemons, Jim Burt
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* STL – Eddie Kennison 66-yard punt return (Chip Lohmiller kick). Rams 7–0.

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

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### Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Week 7: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0| 3| 3
Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 7| 7| 17

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* No scoring plays

Second quarter

* DAL – Chris Boniol 23-yard field goal. Cowboys 3–0.'

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

* ARI – Kent Graham – 16/31, 141 yards, INT
* DAL – Troy Aikman – 23/37, 199 yards, INT

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

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### Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 3| 6| 9
Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3| 0| 13

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Mike Breen, Bill Maas
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

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

Second quarter

* ARI – Larry Centers 5-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 10–0.

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

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### Week 9: vs. New York Jets

[edit]

Week 9: New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Jets | 3 | 14 | 0| 14| 31
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 14| 7| 21

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
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Randy Cross
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* NYJ – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal. Jets 3–0.

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

* ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 17–7.
* ARI – Larry Centers 2-yard pass from Kent Graham (Greg Davis kick). Jets 17–14.

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

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### Week 10: at New York Giants

[edit]

Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0| 8| 8
Giants | 3 | 0 | 3| 10| 16

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan, Jerry Glanville
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* NYG – Brad Daluiso 31-yard field goal. Giants 3–0.'

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

* ARI – LeShon Johnson – 10 rushes, 29 yards
* NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 94 yards

Top receivers

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

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### Week 11: at Washington Redskins

[edit]

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| OT| Total

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Cardinals | 3 | 10 | 0| 21| 3| 37
Redskins | 3 | 10 | 14| 7| 0| 34

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Ron Pitts
* 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

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### Week 12: vs. New York Giants

[edit]

Week 12: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Giants | 0 | 6 | 7| 10| 23
Cardinals | 14 | 7 | 7| 3| 31

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan, Jerry Glanville
* 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

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### Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Eagles | 7 | 3 | 3| 17| 30
Cardinals | 3 | 10 | 3| 20| 36

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Bill Maas
* 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

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### Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0| 14| 17
Vikings | 3 | 10 | 14| 14| 41

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
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Tim Green
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* MIN – Scott Sisson 38-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.'

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 8
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,763
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden
* 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

* DAL – Michael Irvin 50-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Chris Boniol kick). Cowboys 7–6.

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

* DAL – Emmitt Smith – 27 rushes, 70 yards
* ARI – Leeland McElroy – 14 rushes, 90 yards

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 15
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 34,260
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Tim Green
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* ARI – Larry Centers 6-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
* WAS – Scott Blanton 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.

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

* WAS – Gus Frerotte – 22/40, 258 yards
* ARI – Kent Graham – 20/46, 232 yards, 2 TD, INT

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 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,658
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Tim Green
* 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

* ARI – Larry Centers – 6 receptions, 43 yards
* PHI – Chris Jones – 5 receptions, 65 yards

|

### Standings

[edit]

NFC East

* view
* talk
* edit

| 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

[edit]

1. ^ 1996 Arizona Cardinals
2. ^ Arizona Cardinals v New York Jets
3. ^ History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats

* v
* t
* e

Arizona Cardinals

* Founded in 1898
* Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
* Based in Glendale, Arizona
* Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona

Franchise|

* History
* in Chicago
* in St. Louis
* Seasons
* Head coaches
* All-time roster (A–Kin, Kir–Z)
* Quarterbacks
* First-round draft picks

Stadiums|

* Normal Park
* Comiskey Park
* Wrigley Field
* Forbes Field
* Soldier Field
* Busch Stadium
* Busch Memorial Stadium
* Mountain America Stadium
* State Farm Stadium

Culture|

* Chris O'Brien
* Charles Bidwill
* Bill Bidwill
* Red Sea
* Big Red (mascot)
* Jerry Maguire

Lore|

* 1925 Chicago Cardinals–Milwaukee Badgers scandal
* 1925 NFL Championship controversy
* Card-Pitt
* Million Dollar Backfield
* Chicago Cardinals–Toronto Argonauts exhibition game
* Fútbol Americano
* "They are who we thought they were!"
* Hail Murray

Rivalries|

* Chicago Bears
* Kansas City Chiefs (former)
* Los Angeles Rams
* San Francisco 49ers
* Seattle Seahawks

Division championships (7)|

* 1947
* 1948
* 1974
* 1975
* 2008
* 2009
* 2015

Conference championships (1)|

* 2008

League championships (2)|

* 1925
* 1947

Retired numbers|

* 8
* 40
* 77
* 88
* 99

Current league affiliations|

* League: National Football League
* Conference: National Football Conference
* Division: West Division

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Arizona Cardinals seasons

Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)

* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Bold indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance

* v
* t
* e

1996 NFL season

| AFC| East | Central| West| East| Central| West | NFC

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Buffalo | Baltimore| Denver| Arizona| Chicago| Atlanta
Indianapolis | Cincinnati| Kansas City| Dallas| Detroit| Carolina
Miami | Houston| Oakland| NY Giants| Green Bay| New Orleans
New England | Jacksonville| San Diego| Philadelphia| Minnesota| St. Louis
NY Jets | Pittsburgh| Seattle| Washington| Tampa Bay| San Francisco

* 1996 NFL draft
* NFL playoffs
* Pro Bowl
* Super Bowl XXXI

*[FB]: Fullback
*[KR]: Kick returner
*[PR]: Punt returner
*[T]: Ties
*[C/G]: Center / offensive guard
*[C]: Center
*[G]: Offensive guard
*[G/T]: Offensive guard / tackle
*[DE]: Defensive end
*[DT]: Defensive tackle
*[MLB]: Middle linebacker
*[OLB]: Outside linebacker
*[FS]: Free safety
*[SS]: Strong safety
*[CB]: Cornerback
*[K]: Kicker
*[P]: Punter
*[LS]: Long snapper
*[WR]: Wide receiver
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[PCT]: Winning percentage
*[PF]: Points For (Total points scored)
*[PA]: Points Against (Total points allowed)
*[STK]: Current Winning or Losing Streak
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template