# 2012 Arizona Cardinals season

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

2012 Arizona Cardinals draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 13 | Michael Floyd | Wide receiver | Notre Dame | |
| 3 | 80 | Jamell Fleming | Defensive back | Oklahoma | |
| 4 | 112 | Bobby Massie | Tackle | Ole Miss | |
| 5 | 151 | Senio Kelemete | Guard | Washington | |
| 6 | 177 | Justin Bethel * | Defensive back | Presbyterian | 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. |
| 6 | 185 | Ryan Lindley | Quarterback | San Diego State | |
| 7 | 221 | Nate Potter | Tackle | Boise State | |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## 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 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 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

| Quarter | 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 an appearance in relief of Skelton going 6/8 for 66 yards and a touchdown pass.

#### Week 2: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 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 :
First quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 38-yard field goal, 8:47. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:18.
ARI – Jay Feely 47-yard field goal, 7:47. Cardinals 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:49.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 46-yard field goal, 2:27. Cardinals 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:20.
Second quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 34-yard field goal, 9:12. Tied 6–6. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:32.
Third quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 51-yard field goal, 12:58. Patriots 9–6. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:07.
ARI – Andre Roberts 2-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 8:52. Cardinals 13–9. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Kolb 5-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 14:00. Cardinals 20–9. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:46.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 53-yard field goal, 6:50. Cardinals 20–12. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 1:11.
NE – Rob Gronkowski 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (pass failed), 2:06. Cardinals 20–18. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 3:36.
Top passers
ARI – Kevin Kolb – 15/27, 140 yards, TD
NE – Tom Brady – 28/46, 316 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Beanie Wells – 14 rushes, 44 yards
NE – Stevan Ridley – 18 rushes, 71 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Todd Heap – 5 receptions, 62 yards
NE – Wes Welker – 5 receptions, 95 yards :
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. This would be their last win over New England until 2024

#### Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 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 :
First quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 47-yard field goal, 10:18. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 3:47.
ARI – Michael Floyd 8-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 1:04. Cardinals 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 34 yards, 3:32.
Second quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 37-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 7:30. Cardinals 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:32.
ARI – James Sanders 98-yard fumble return (Jay Feely kick), 0:00. Cardinals 24–0.
Third quarter
PHI – Alex Henery 36-yard field goal, 5:07. Cardinals 24–3. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 6:30.
PHI Alex Henery 40-yard field goal, 0:02. Cardinals 24–6. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 3:12.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 27-yard field goal, 3:52. Cardinals 27–6. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 6:34.
Top passers
PHI – Michael Vick – 17/37, 217 yards
ARI – Kevin Kolb – 17/24, 222 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
PHI – LeSean McCoy – 13 rushes, 70 yards
ARI – Ryan Williams – 13 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
PHI – Damaris Johnson – 5 receptions, 84 yards
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 9 receptions, 113 yards, TD :
With the win, the Cardinals started 3–0 for the first time since 1974.

#### Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 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 :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
MIA – Dan Carpenter 32-yard field goal, 13:25. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 64 yards, 5:49.
MIA – Jorvorskie Lane 1-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 1:56. Dolphins 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 3:49.
MIA – Dan Carpenter 27-yard field goal, 0:06. Dolphins 13–0. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:24.
Third quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 3-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 9:46. Dolphins 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:57.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Andre Roberts 46-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 9:45. Cardinals 14–13. Drive: 3 plays, 81 yards, 1:27.
MIA – Brian Hartline 80-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Tannehill pass to Lane), 7:05. Dolphins 21–14. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:08.
ARI – Andre Roberts 15-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 0:22. Tied 21–21. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 2:29.
Overtime
ARI – Jay Feely 46-yard field goal, 8:34. Cardinals 24–21. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:30.
Top passers
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 26/41, 431 yards, TD, 2 INT
ARI – Kevin Kolb – 29/48, 324 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Reggie Bush – 17 rushes, 67 yards
ARI – Ryan Williams – 13 rushes, 26 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Brian Hartline – 12 receptions, 253 yards, TD
ARI – Andre Roberts – 6 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD :

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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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
With their 7th straight loss the Cardinals were swept by the Rams and fell to 4-7.

#### Week 13: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 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 :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 48-yard field goal, 0:03. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 2:31.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Jeff Cumberland 1-yard pass from Greg McElroy (Nick Folk kick), 14:55. Jets 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:53.
ARI – Jay Feely 35-yard field goal, 10:39. Jets 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:03.
Top passers
ARI – Ryan Lindley – 10/31, 72 yards, INT
NYJ – Mark Sanchez – 10/21, 97 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Rashad Johnson – 1 rush, 40 yards
NYJ – Shonn Greene – 24 rushes, 104 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 1 reception, 23 yards
NYJ – Stephen Hill – 5 receptions, 40 yards :
In a game most remebered as possilbly the worst QB duel in NFL history the Cardinals fell 7-6 marking their 8th straight loss.

#### Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 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 :
First quarter
SEA – Stephen Hauschka 31-yard field goal, 10:04. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:01.
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 20-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 2:04. Seahawks 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 6:14.
Second quarter
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 4-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 14:53. Seahawks 17–0. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:11.
SEA – Richard Sherman 19-yard interception return (Stephen Hauschka kick), 10:12. Seahawks 24–0.
SEA – Malcolm Smith fumble recovery (Stephen Hauschka kick), 6:31. Seahawks 31–0.
SEA – Zach Miller 24-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Stephen Hauschka kick), 0:06. Seahawks 38–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 0:13.
Third quarter
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 33-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 11:08. Seahawks 45–0. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:52.
SEA – Stephen Hauschka 28-yard field goal, 7:47. Seahawks 48–0. Drive: 6 plays, 15 yards, 2:36.
SEA – Stephen Hauschka 32-yard field goal, 2:10. Seahawks 51–0. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:43.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Leon Washington 3-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 2:32. Seahawks 58–0. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:51.
Top passers
ARI – John Skelton – 11/24, 74 yards, 4 INT
SEA – Russell Wilson – 7/13, 148 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – William Powell – 5 rushes, 20 yards
SEA – Marshawn Lynch – 11 rushes, 128 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
ARI – Andre Roberts – 3 receptions, 36 yards
SEA – Anthony McCoy – 3 receptions, 105 yards :
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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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

| Quarter | 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.

## Standings

NFC West :
| viewtalkedit | 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.