# 2000 Arizona Cardinals season

The 2000 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 81st season in the National Football League (NFL), their 102nd overall and their 13th in Arizona. The Cardinals ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense and 30th in total defense. The Cardinals ranked last in the NFC in Takeaways/Giveaways with a rating of −24.
The Cardinals surrendered 443 points in 2000, the second-worst in the NFL that season, and second-worst in franchise history. Arizona's minus-233 point differential is the worst in team history.
Two of the Cardinals' three victories came by one point each, and they were 0–8 on the road. Following the most lopsided of those eight road losses, 48–7 at Dallas in week eight, coach Vince Tobin was fired, ending his tenure in the desert after 4½ seasons with a 29–44 record. Defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis was named interim coach, and he held the job through the end of the 2003 season. The 3–13 mark would be matched in 2018.
The Cardinals suffered through their poorest season since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, eclipsing the 4–12 marks of 1991, 1992, 1995 and 1997. The Cardinals also went 4–9–1 in 1971, 1972 and 1973, and 4–11–1 in 1986, and would suffer through another 4–12 campaign in 2003.

## Offseason
### Signings

| Position | Player | 1999 team | Date signed | Contract |
| PK | Cary Blanchard | New York Giants | February 28 | Undisclosed |
| G | Norberto Davidds-Garrido | Carolina Panthers | April 20 | 2 years |
| C | Mike Gruttadauria | St. Louis Rams | February 19 | 4 years, $8.6 million |
| DT | Tony McCoy | Indianapolis Colts | June 9 | 2 years |

### Re-signings

| Position | Player | Designation | Date signed | Contract |
| DB | Tommy Bennett | UFA | July 22 | |
| QB | Dave Brown | UFA | February 22 | 2 years |
| TE | Derek Brown | UFA | April 28 | Undisclosed |
| DE | Jerry Drake | UFA | May 23 | Undisclosed |
| OL | Matt Joyce | UFA | February 22 | 3 years |
| TE | Chris Gedney | Other | February 23 | Undisclosed |
| LB | Mark Maddox | UFA | | Undisclosed |
| LB | Ronald McKinnon | UFA | February 24 | 3 years |
| DT | Brad Ottis | UFA | March 29 | 2 years |
| DT | Mark Smith | RFA | June 28 | Undisclosed |

### Departures

| Position | Player | Reason | 2000 team |
| RB | Mario Bates | Released | Detroit Lions |
| OT | James Dexter | UFA | Carolina Panthers |
| C | Aaron Graham | UFA | Kansas City Chiefs |
| TE | Johnny McWilliams | UFA | Minnesota Vikings |
| RB | Adrian Murrell | UFA | Washington Redskins |
| LB | Patrick Sapp | UFA | Indianapolis Colts |
| DE | Eric Swann | Released | Carolina Panthers |

### NFL draft

2000 Arizona Cardinals draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 7 | Thomas Jones * | RB | Virginia | |
| 2 | 41 | Raynoch Thompson | LB | Tennessee | |
| 3 | 71 | Darwin Walker | DT | Tennessee | |
| 4 | 102 | David Barrett | CB | Arkansas | |
| 5 | 136 | Mao Tosi | DT | Idaho | |
| 5 | 164 | Jay Tant | TE | Northwestern | compensatory selection |
| 6 | 176 | Jabari Issa | DE | Washington | |
| 7 | 215 | Sekou Sanyika | LB | California | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

2000 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Deke Cooper | Safety | Notre Dame |
| Renard Cox | Cornerback | Maryland |
| Greg Debolt | Punter | Pittsburgh |
| Bryan Gilmore | Wide receiver | Midwestern State |
| Sean Keenan | Quarterback | Williams |
| Matt Keller | Fullback | Ohio State |
| John Shoemaker | Wide receiver | UC Davis |
| David Walden | Guard | Stephen F. Austin |
| Jordan Younger | Cornerback | UConn |

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue |
| 1 | August 5 | Denver Broncos | L 17–31 | 0–1 | Sun Devil Stadium |
| 2 | August 12 | Seattle Seahawks | W 21–3 | 1–1 | Sun Devil Stadium |
| 3 | August 18 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 17–35 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| 4 | August 25 | at San Diego Chargers | L 20–24 | 1–3 | Qualcomm Stadium |

## Regular season

On December 18, Dave McGinnis was named as the 38th head coach in franchise history. He had been interim coach since October 23, when Vince Tobin was fired.

### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 3 | at New York Giants | L 16–21 | 0–1 | Giants Stadium | 77,434 |
| 2 | September 10 | Dallas Cowboys | W 32–31 | 1–1 | Sun Devil Stadium | 66,008 |
| 3 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 4 | September 24 | Green Bay Packers | L 3–29 | 1–2 | Sun Devil Stadium | 71,801 |
| 5 | October 1 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 20–27 | 1–3 | 3Com Park | 66,985 |
| 6 | October 8 | Cleveland Browns | W 29–21 | 2–3 | Sun Devil Stadium | 44,296 |
| 7 | October 15 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 14–33 | 2–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | 38,293 |
| 8 | October 22 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 7–48 | 2–5 | Texas Stadium | 62,981 |
| 9 | October 29 | New Orleans Saints | L 10–21 | 2–6 | Sun Devil Stadium | 35,286 |
| 10 | November 5 | Washington Redskins | W 16–15 | 3–6 | Sun Devil Stadium | 52,244 |
| 11 | November 12 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 14–31 | 3–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,223 |
| 12 | November 19 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 9–34 | 3–8 | Veterans Stadium | 65,356 |
| 13 | November 26 | New York Giants | L 7–31 | 3–9 | Sun Devil Stadium | 42,094 |
| 14 | December 3 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 13–24 | 3–10 | Paul Brown Stadium | 50,289 |
| 15 | December 10 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | L 10–44 | 3–11 | Alltel Stadium | 53,472 |
| 16 | December 17 | Baltimore Ravens | L 7–13 | 3–12 | Sun Devil Stadium | 37,452 |
| 17 | December 24 | at Washington Redskins | L 3–20 | 3–13 | FedExField | 65,711 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 16 |
| Giants | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: September 3
* Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/11:05 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 77,434
* Referee: Bill Carollo
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Tiki Barber 10-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 0:00. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Tiki Barber 78-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 9:31. Giants 14–0.
Third quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 32-yard field goal, 0:00. Giants 14–3.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Ron Dayne 7-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 7:28. Giants 21–3.
ARI – David Boston 9-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 1:55. Giants 21–10.
ARI – David Boston 25-yard pass from Jake Plummer (pass failed), 0:32. Giants 21–16.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 28/49, 318 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
NYG – Kerry Collins – 17/25, 172 yards, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 4 rushes, 18 yards
NYG – Tiki Barber – 13 rushes, 144 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 9 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD
NYG – Ike Hilliard – 3 receptions, 62 yards :

#### Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 32 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: September 10
* Game time: 6:35 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 100 °F (38 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,009
* Referee: Ron Blum
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 19-yard field goal, 9:02. Cardinals 3–0.
DAL – Wane McGarity 64-yard punt return (Tim Seder kick), 4:34. Cowboys 7–3.
Second quarter
ARI – Michael Pittman 1-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 12:05. Cardinals 10–7.
DAL – James McKnight 47-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Tim Seder kick), 9:04. Cowboys 14–10.
DAL – Jackie Harris 1-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Tim Seder kick), 0:26. Cowboys 21–10.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 21–13.
Third quarter
DAL – Tim Seder 44-yard field goal, 8:16. Cowboys 24–13.
ARI – Frank Sanders 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 2:34. Cowboys 24–20.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 35-yard field goal, 0:12. Cowboys 24–23.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Michael Wiley 15-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Tim Seder kick), 8:53. Cowboys 31–23.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 51-yard field goal, 5:17. Cowboys 31–26.
ARI – Frank Sanders 17-yard pass from Jake Plummer (run failed), 1:54. Cardinals 32–31.
Top passers
DAL – Randall Cunningham – 24/34, 243 yards, 3 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/24, 243 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 16 rushes, 59 yards
ARI – Thomas Jones – 23 rushes, 70 yards
Top receivers
DAL – James McKnight – 5 receptions, 86 yards, TD
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 102 yards :

#### Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 29 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: September 24
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 71,801
* Referee: Dick Hantak
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Ahman Green 19-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:36. Packers 7–0.
Second quarter
GB – Bill Schroeder 55-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 14:05. Packers 14–0.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 31-yard field goal, 8:48. Packers 14–3.
GB – Ryan Longwell 38-yard field goal, 2:06. Packers 17–3.
Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 47-yard field goal, 8:47. Packers 20–3.
GB – Ryan Longwell 48-yard field goal, 0:49. Packers 23–3.
Fourth quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 37-yard field goal, 9:33. Packers 26–3.
GB – Ryan Longwell 22-yard field goal, 8:53. Packers 29–3.
Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 17/31, 277 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/43, 189 yards, 4 INT
Top rushers
GB – Ahman Green – 12 rushes, 93 yards, TD
ARI – Thomas Jones – 10 rushes, 24 yards
Top receivers
GB – Bill Schroeder – 4 receptions, 94 yards, TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 7 receptions, 60 yards :

#### Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| 49ers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
at 3Com Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: October 1
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST/2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,985
* Referee: Mike Carey
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 5-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (Wade Richey kick), 2:28. 49ers 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 32-yard field goal, 12:07. 49ers 7–3.
SF – Wade Richey 33-yard field goal, 1:53. 49ers 10–3.
SF – Charlie Garner 1-yard run (Wade Richey kick), 0:49. 49ers 17–3.
ARI – David Boston 56-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 0:18. 49ers 17–10.
Third quarter
SF – Charlie Garner 1-yard run (Wade Richey kick), 6:13. 49ers 24–10.
Fourth quarter
SF – Wade Richey 29-yard field goal, 12:18. 49ers 27–10.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 27-yard field goal, 6:45. 49ers 27–13.
ARI – Thomas Jones 4-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 2:15. 49ers 27–20.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 24/41, 239 yards, TD
SF – Jeff Garcia – 22/33, 220 yards, TD
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman – 11 rushes, 72 yards
SF – Charlie Garner – 21 rushes, 77 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 5 receptions, 87 yards, TD
SF – Jerry Rice – 7 receptions, 66 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 29 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 8
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 44,269
* Referee: Tom White
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
CLE – Travis Prentice 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:51. Browns 7–0.
Second quarter
CLE – Travis Prentice 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 14:26. Browns 14–0.
ARI – Thomas Jones 10-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 12:00. Browns 14–7.
ARI – Frank Sanders 53-yard pass from Jake Plummer (kick failed), 9:08. Browns 14–13.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 36-yard field goal, 1:13. Cardinals 16–14.
Third quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 47-yard field goal, 8:55. Cardinals 19–14.
ARI – Frank Sanders 5-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 1:55. Cardinals 26–14.
Fourth quarter
CLE – Travis Prentice 6-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 12:43. Cardinals 26–21.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 28-yard field goal, 3:00. Cardinals 29–21.
Top passers
CLE – Tim Couch – 16/22, 138 yards
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/30, 171 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
CLE – Travis Prentice – 28 rushes, 97 yards, 3 TD
ARI – Michael Pittman – 16 rushes, 107 yards
Top receivers
CLE – Dennis Northcutt – 3 receptions, 67 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 7 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 33 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 15
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 38,293
* Referee: Ron Blum
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
PHI – Stanley Pritchett 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 5:29. Eagles 7–0.
Second quarter
PHI – David Akers 31-yard field goal, 11:32. Eagles 10–0.
PHI – Donovan McNabb 3-yard run (David Akers kick), 0:25. Eagles 17–0.
Third quarter
PHI – Chad Lewis 9-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 9:16. Eagles 24–0.
ARI – David Boston 70-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 4:33. Eagles 24–7.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Michael Pittman 10-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 10:47. Eagles 24–14.
PHI – Darnell Autry 1-yard run (kick failed), 5:28. Eagles 30–14.
PHI – David Akers 29-yard field goal, 2:44. Eagles 33–14.
Top passers
PHI – Donovan McNabb – 24/34, 226 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/30, 213 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
PHI – Darnell Autry – 20 rushes, 64 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 2 rushes, 43 yards
Top receivers
PHI – Charles Johnson – 4 receptions, 68 yards
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 123 yards, TD :

#### Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Cowboys | 14 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 48 |
at Texas Stadium, Dallas, Texas
* Date: October 22
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,981
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Tim Seder kick), 3:26. Cowboys 7–0.
DAL – Wane McGarity 59-yard punt return (Tim Seder kick), 1:01. Cowboys 14–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Chris Warren 32-yard run (Tim Seder kick), 10:52. Cowboys 21–0.
DAL – Tim Seder 32-yard field goal, 1:30. Cowboys 24–0.
DAL – Tim Seder 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 27–0.
Third quarter
DAL – Rocket Ismail 24-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Tim Seder kick), 6:50. Cowboys 34–0.
DAL – Chris Warren 10-yard run (Tim Seder kick), 4:03. Cowboys 41–0.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Robert Thomas 2-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Tim Seder kick), 12:21. Cowboys 48–0.
ARI – Michael Pittman 1-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 5:29. Cowboys 48–7.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/31, 180 yards, 3 INT
DAL – Troy Aikman – 9/15, 154 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 11 rushes, 50 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 24 rushes, 112 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 3 receptions, 50 yards
DAL – James McKnight – 3 receptions, 75 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 29
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 35,286
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NO – Lamont Hall 1-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Brien kick), 2:31. Saints 7–0.
ARI – Terry Hardy 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 0:12. Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 34-yard field goal, 5:23. Cardinals 10–7.
Third quarter
NO – Keith Mitchell 40-yard interception return (Doug Brien kick), 5:07. Saints 14–10.
Fourth quarter
NO – Ricky Williams 1-yard run (Doug Brien kick), 10:32. Saints 21–10.
Top passers
NO – Jeff Blake – 16/26, 167 yards, TD, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 26/47, 289 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
NO – Ricky Williams – 21 rushes, 54 yards, TD
ARI – Michael Pittman – 20 rushes, 86 yards
Top receivers
NO – Ricky Williams – 9 receptions, 92 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 2 receptions, 54 yards :

#### Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Cardinals | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 5
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,244
* Referee: Bill Carollo
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Aeneas Williams 103-yard fumble return (Cary Blanchard kick), 10:38. Cardinals 7–0.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 30-yard field goal, 7:28. Cardinals 10–0.
WAS – Kris Heppner 35-yard field goal, 3:18. Cardinals 10–3.
Second quarter
WAS – Stephen Davis 1-yard run (run failed), 8:43. Cardinals 10–9.
WAS – Kris Heppner 28-yard field goal, 1:52. Redskins 12–10.
Third quarter
ARI – Michael Pittman 7-yard run (pass failed), 13:44. Cardinals 16–12.
WAS – Kris Heppner 29-yard field goal, 4:43. Cardinals 16–15.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
WAS – Jeff George – 20/39, 276 yards, 2 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 12/19, 146 yards, INT
Top rushers
WAS – Stephen Davis – 30 rushes, 124 yards, TD
ARI – Michael Pittman – 15 rushes, 30 yards, TD
Top receivers
WAS – James Thrash – 6 receptions, 102 yards
ARI – David Boston – 3 receptions, 57 yards :

#### Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 12
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,223
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 33-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 6:42. Vikings 7–0.
ARI – Michael Pittman 1-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 0:13. Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 10–7.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 4-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 10:15. Vikings 17–7.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 3-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:11. Vikings 24–7.
MIN – Cris Carter 12-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 3:45. Vikings 31–7.
ARI – MarTay Jenkins 98-yard kickoff return (Cary Blanchard kick), 3:30. Vikings 31–14.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/28, 219 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 25/32, 302 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman – 12 rushes, 50 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 20 rushes, 117 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 82 yards
MIN – Cris Carter – 11 receptions, 119 yards, TD :

#### Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| Eagles | 0 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 34 |
at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: November 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 65,356
* Referee: Phil Luckett
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Cary Blanchard 42-yard field goal, 8:02. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter
PHI – David Akers 38-yard field goal, 8:52. Tied 3–3.
PHI – Jeff Thomason 1-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 0:19. Eagles 10–3.
Third quarter
PHI – Donovan McNabb 7-yard run (David Akers kick), 6:28. Eagles 17–3.
Fourth quarter
PHI – David Akers 46-yard field goal, 9:02. Eagles 20–3.
PHI – Mike Caldwell 26-yard interception return (David Akers kick), 7:40. Eagles 27–3.
ARI – David Boston 44-yard pass from Dave Brown (pass failed), 4:43. Eagles 27–9.
PHI – Darnell Autry 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 1:57. Eagles 34–9.
Top passers
ARI – Dave Brown – 11/13, 140 yards, TD, INT
PHI – Donovan McNabb – 25/34, 217 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman – 13 rushes, 49 yards
PHI – Darnell Autry – 16 rushes, 59 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 94 yards, TD
PHI – Chad Lewis – 5 receptions, 52 yards :

#### Week 13: vs. New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 26
* Game time: 6:35 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 42,094
* Referee: Walt Coleman
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Dan Campbell 5-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 9:32. Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Ron Dayne 1-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 10:15. Giants 14–0.
Third quarter
NYG – Tiki Barber 23-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 6:24. Giants 21–0.
ARI – Michael Pittman 36-yard pass from Dave Brown (Cary Blanchard kick), 2:01. Giants 21–7.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Amani Toomer 19-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 10:06. Giants 28–7.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 25-yard field goal, 6:49. Cardinals 31–7.
Top passers
NYG – Kerry Collins – 20/30, 232 yards, TD
ARI – Dave Brown – 18/36, 192 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NYG – Ron Dayne – 24 rushes, 85 yards, TD
ARI – Michael Pittman – 13 rushes, 77 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Joe Jurevicius – 5 receptions, 71 yards
ARI – Michael Pittman – 10 receptions, 96 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Bengals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: December 3
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C)
* Game attendance: 50,289
* Referee: Johnny Grier
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
CIN – Tony McGee 2-yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Neil Rackers kick), 10:46. Bengals 7–0.
Second quarter
CIN – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Neil Rackers kick), 0:46. Bengals 14–0.
Third quarter
CIN – Brandon Bennett 7-yard run (Neil Rackers kick), 11:34. Bengals 21–0.
ARI – David Boston 38-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 4:08. Bengals 21–7.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Boston 15-yard pass from Jake Plummer (kick failed), 13:45. Bengals 21–13.
CIN – Neil Rackers 32-yard field goal, 1:02. Bengals 24–13.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/44, 278 yards, 2 TD, INT
CIN – Scott Mitchell – 11/23, 109 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman – 19 rushes, 72 yards
CIN – Corey Dillon – 35 rushes, 216 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 9 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD
CIN – Peter Warrick – 3 receptions, 42 yards :

#### Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Jaguars | 10 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 44 |
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,472
* Referee: Mike Carey
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
JAX – Mike Hollis 36-yard field goal, 9:11. Jaguars 3–0.
JAX – Fred Taylor 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 7:15. Jaguars 10–0.
Second quarter
JAX – Kyle Brady 8-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 12:49. Jaguars 17–0.
JAX – Fred Taylor 4-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 6:31. Jaguars 24–0.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 32-yard field goal, 1:08. Jaguars 24–3.
JAX – Mike Hollis 50-yard field goal, 0:04. Jaguars 27–3.
Third quarter
JAX – Mike Hollis 40-yard field goal, 9:04. Jaguars 30–3.
JAX – Keenan McCardell 25-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 5:33. Jaguars 37–3.
Fourth quarter
JAX – Jimmy Smith 65-yard pass from Jaime Martin (Mike Hollis kick), 14:27. Jaguars 44–3.
ARI – Frank Sanders 26-yard pass from Chris Greisen (Cary Blanchard kick), 9:45. Jaguars 44–10.
Top passers
ARI – Dave Brown – 11/19, 135 yards, INT
JAX – Mark Brunell – 13/18, 182 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 7 rushes, 40 yards
JAX – Fred Taylor – 23 rushes, 137 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD
JAX – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 147 yards, TD :

#### Week 16: vs. Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ravens | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 17
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
* Game attendance: 37,452
* Referee: Larry Nemmers
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
BAL – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal, 7:12. Ravens 3–0.
Second quarter
No scoring plays
Third quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 27-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 9:41. Cardinals 7–3.
BAL – Jamal Lewis 1-yard run (Matt Stover kick), 6:18. Ravens 10–7.
BAL – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal, 0:21. Ravens 13–7.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
BAL – Trent Dilfer – 12/22, 70 yards, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/43, 266 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
BAL – Jamal Lewis – 29 rushes, 126 yards, TD
ARI – Thomas Jones – 14 rushes, 39 yards
Top receivers
BAL – Shannon Sharpe – 4 receptions, 43 yards
ARI – David Boston – 5 receptions, 93 yards :

#### Week 17: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Redskins | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 65,711
* Referee: Jeff Triplette
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Champ Bailey 7-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 10:56. Redskins 7–0.
WAS – Irving Fryar 7-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Eddie Murray kick), 6:39. Redskins 14–0.
Second quarter
WAS – Eddie Murray 41-yard field goal, 14:56. Redskins 17–0.
WAS – Scott Bentley 50-yard field goal, 9:15. Redskins 20–0.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 37-yard field goal, 1:06. Redskins 20–3.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 14/31, 144 yards, 3 INT
WAS – Brad Johnson – 19/32, 192 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman – 16 rushes, 72 yards
WAS – Stephen Davis – 27 rushes, 120 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Tywan Mitchell – 2 receptions, 53 yards
WAS – Champ Bailey – 2 receptions, 54 yards :

### Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(1)}$ New York Giants | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 328 | 246 | W5 |
| $^{(4)}$ Philadelphia Eagles | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 351 | 245 | W2 |
| Washington Redskins | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 281 | 269 | W1 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 294 | 361 | L2 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 210 | 443 | L7 |

## Best performances

* David Boston, Week 1, 128 Receiving Yards vs. New York Giants
* David Boston, Week 2, 102 Receiving Yards vs. Dallas Cowboys
* David Boston, Week 7, 123 Receiving Yards vs. Philadelphia Eagles
* David Boston, Week 14, 184 Receiving Yards vs. Cincinnati Bengals
* Jake Plummer, Week 1, 318 Passing Yards vs. New York Giants
* Simeon Rice, Week 12, 3.0 Quarterback Sacks vs. Philadelphia Eagles

## Records

* Led NFL, kickoffs, 86
* Led NFL, kickoff yards returned, 2296
* Led NFL, average kickoff yards per return, 26.7
* Led NFL, kickoff returns for touchdowns, 3