# 2016 Arizona Cardinals season

The 2016 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 97th in the National Football League (NFL), their 118th overall, their 29th in Arizona, their 11th at University of Phoenix Stadium and their fourth under head coach Bruce Arians.
In free agency, they signed veteran defensive back Tyvon Branch and veteran lineman Evan Mathis, while re-signing several key players. They traded for Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots, sending Jonathan Cooper and a late second-round pick to New England.
The Cardinals came into the 2016 season with expectations of improving on their 2015 campaign and reaching the Super Bowl. However, after a 1–3 start, they suffered injuries to quarterback Carson Palmer and most of the offensive line. On October 23, the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks played out a 6–6 tie; this was the Cardinals' first tie since 1986 when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the lowest-scoring NFL tie since overtime was introduced in 1974. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2013 in Week 15 after a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Despite winning their final two games, the Cardinals ended the season with a losing record at 7–8–1. Because the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, their first title in 108 years, the Cardinals also finished the season with the longest active championship drought in the four major American professional sports, with their last championship in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals.

## Free agents

| Position | Player | Tag | 2016 Team | Notes |
| WR | Jaron Brown | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| TE | Jermaine Gresham | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| TE | Darren Fells | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| TE | Ifeanyi Momah | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| QB | Drew Stanton | UFA | ARI | two-year deal |
| RB | Chris Johnson | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| P | Drew Butler | UFA | ARI | two-year deal |
| LS | Mike Leach | UFA | --- | retired |
| G | Ted Larsen | UFA | CHI | one-year deal |
| C | Lyle Sendlein | UFA | --- | retired |
| T | Bobby Massie | UFA | CHI | three-year deal |
| T | Kelvin Palmer | UFA | TB | one-year deal |
| T | Bradley Sowell | UFA | SEA | one-year deal |
| S | Tony Jefferson | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| S | D. J. Swearinger | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| S | Rashad Johnson | UFA | TEN | one-year deal |
| S | Chris Clemons | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| CB | Jerraud Powers | UFA | BAL | one-year deal |
| CB | Corey White | UFA | BUF | one-year deal |
| DE | Billy Winn | RFA | DEN | one-year deal |
| ILB | Sean Weatherspoon | UFA | ATL | one-year deal |
| ILB | Kenny Demens | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| OLB | LaMarr Woodley | UFA | TBA | |
| OLB | Dwight Freeney | UFA | ATL | one-year deal |
| DE | Josh Mauro | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
| DE | Red Bryant | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
* Player re-signed by the Cardinals

## Draft

2016 Arizona Cardinals Draft :
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 29 | Robert Nkemdiche | DE | Ole Miss |
| 3 | 92 | Brandon Williams | CB | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 128 | Evan Boehm | C | Missouri |
| 5 | 167 | Marqui Christian | S | Midwestern State |
| 5 | 170 | Cole Toner | OT | Harvard |
| 6 | 205 | Harlan Miller | CB | Southeastern Louisiana |
Notes
* The Cardinals traded their second-round selection (No. 61 overall) and guard Jonathan Cooper to the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Chandler Jones.
* The Cardinals traded a conditional seventh-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback Matt Barkley; the Eagles will only receive this selection if Barkley is on the Cardinals' roster for at least six games during the 2015 season.
* The Cardinals received a sixth-round compensatory pick (No. 170 overall) as the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Cardinals experienced during the 2015 free agency period.

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | August 12 | Oakland Raiders | L 10–31 | 0–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 19 | at San Diego Chargers | L 3–19 | 0–2 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 28 | at Houston Texans | L 24–34 | 0–3 | NRG Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 1 | Denver Broncos | W 38–17 | 1–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 11 | New England Patriots | L 21–23 | 0–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 18 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 40–7 | 1–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 25 | at Buffalo Bills | L 18–33 | 1–2 | New Era Field | Recap |
| 4 | October 2 | Los Angeles Rams | L 13–17 | 1–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 6 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 33–21 | 2–3 | Levi's Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 17 | New York Jets | W 28–3 | 3–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 23 | Seattle Seahawks | T 6–6 (OT) | 3–3–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | October 30 | at Carolina Panthers | L 20–30 | 3–4–1 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 10 | November 13 | San Francisco 49ers | W 23–20 | 4–4–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 20 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 24–30 | 4–5–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 27 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 19–38 | 4–6–1 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
| 13 | December 4 | Washington Redskins | W 31–23 | 5–6–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 11 | at Miami Dolphins | L 23–26 | 5–7–1 | Hard Rock Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 18 | New Orleans Saints | L 41–48 | 5–8–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 24 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 34–31 | 6–8–1 | CenturyLink Field | Recap |
| 17 | January 1 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 44–6 | 7–8–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 10 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: September 11
* Game time: 5:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 64,864
* Referee: Tony Corrente
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Chris Hogan 37-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:34. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:13.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 47-yard field goal, 1:00. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:12.
Second quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 3-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:06. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 6:20.
Third quarter
NE – LeGarrette Blount 8-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 10:00. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:00.
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:29. Patriots 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:51.
Fourth quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 53-yard field goal, 12:35. Patriots 20–14. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 6:54.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 9:46. Cardinals 20–21. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:49.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 32-yard field goal, 3:44. Patriots 23–21. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 6:02.
Top passers
NE – Jimmy Garoppolo – 24/33, 264 yards, TD
ARI – Carson Palmer – 24/37, 271 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – LeGarrette Blount – 22 rushes, 70 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 16 rushes, 89 yards, TD
Top receivers
NE – Julian Edelman – 7 receptions, 66 yards
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 8 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD :
With Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo starting, the Cardinals were huge favorites to win. The game was close, but was lost last minute, with a missed game-winning Cardinals field goal.

#### Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 40 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: September 18
* Game time: 1:05 p.m.
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 64,230
* Referee: Ronald Torbert
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Peter Schrager
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:59. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:12.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 22-yard field goal, 11:48. Cardinals 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 2:21.
ARI – Michael Floyd 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:35. Cardinals 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 1:36.
ARI – Jaron Brown 51-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:26. Cardinals 24–0. Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 0:45.
Third quarter
TB – Mike Evans 19-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Roberto Aguayo kick), 10:06. Cardinals 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 40-yard field goal, 8:00. Cardinals 27–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:05.
ARI – Marcus Cooper 60-yard interception return (kick failed, wide left), 5:15. Cardinals 33–7.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chris Johnson 3-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 12:15. Cardinals 40–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:47.
Top passers
TB – Jameis Winston – 27/52, 243 yards, TD, 4 INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 17/30, 304 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
TB – Jacquizz Rodgers – 2 rushes, 29 yards
ARI – Chris Johnson – 16 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Mike Evans – 6 receptions, 70 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 3 receptions, 98 yards :

#### Week 3: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 18 |
| Bills | 10 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 33 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 25
* Game time: 10:00 a.m.
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 68,647
* Referee: Walt Anderson
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
BUF – Dan Carpenter 19-yard field goal, 3:29. Bills 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:51.
BUF – LeSean McCoy 24-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:55. Bills 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:30.
Second quarter
BUF – LeSean McCoy 5-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), 10:25. Bills 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:51.
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:05. Bills 17–7. Drive: 17 plays, 84 yards, 9:20.
Third quarter
BUF – Tyrod Taylor 20-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 10:31. Bills 23–7. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:49.
BUF – Aaron Williams 53-yard fumble return (Dan Carpenter kick), 2:25. Bills 30–7.
ARI – David Johnson 22-yard run (pass failed), 0:12. Bills 30–13. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:13.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 60-yard field goal, 10:36. Bills 30–16. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 2:19.
BUF – Dan Carpenter 45-yard field goal, 4:48. Bills 33–16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:42.
ARI – LeSean McCoy tackled in the end zone by Corey Peters for a safety, 3:04. Bills 33–18.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 26/50, 287 yards, 4 INT
BUF – Tyrod Taylor – 14/25, 119 yards, INT
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 19 rushes, 83 yards, 2 TD
BUF – LeSean McCoy – 17 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – John Brown – 6 receptions, 70 yards
BUF – Robert Woods – 6 receptions, 51 yards :

#### Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: October 2
* Game time: 1:25 p.m.
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 64,622
* Referee: Gene Steratore
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Peter Schrager
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
LA – Brian Quick 65-yard pass from Case Keenum (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:59. Rams 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 3:28.
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 25-yard field goal, 12:19. Rams 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 4:40.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 29-yard field goal, 8:42. Rams 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:37.
ARI – Michael Floyd 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:24. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 1:24.
Third quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:05.
Fourth quarter
LA – Brian Quick 4-yard pass from Case Keenum (Greg Zuerlein kick), 2:36. Rams 17–13. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:33.
Top passers
LA – Case Keenum – 18/30, 266 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Carson Palmer – 23/36, 288 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
LA – Todd Gurley – 19 rushes, 33 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 17 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
LA – Kenny Britt – 4 receptions, 82 yards
ARI – John Brown – 10 receptions, 144 yards :

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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 33 |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
* Date: October 6
* Game time: 5:25 p.m.
* Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), clear
* Game attendance: 70,178
* Referee: Carl Cheffers
* TV announcers (CBS/NFLN/Twitter): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
SF – Jeremy Kerley 9-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert (Phil Dawson kick), 4:12. 49ers 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 87 yards, 4:46.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 21-yard pass from Drew Stanton (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:40. Tied 7–7. Drive: 1 play, 21 yards, 0:06.
Third quarter
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 12:45. Cardinals 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 2:10.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 29-yard pass from Drew Stanton (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:35. Cardinals 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 3:19.
SF – Carlos Hyde 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:54. Cardinals 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:41.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 36-yard field goal, 13:39. Cardinals 24–14. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:16.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:44. Cardinals 31–14. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:12.
SF – Blaine Gabbert 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:52. Cardinals 31–21. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
ARI – Blaine Gabbert sacked in the end zone by Calais Campbell for a safety, 1:17. Cardinals 33–21.
Top passers
ARI – Drew Stanton – 11/28, 124 yards, 2 TD
SF – Blaine Gabbert – 18/31, 162 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 27 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD
SF – Carlos Hyde – 22 rushes, 78 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 6 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD
SF – Jeremy Kerley – 8 receptions, 102 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: October 17
* Game time: 5:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 64,709
* Referee: Jerome Boger
* TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – David Johnson 58-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 9:51. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:12.
Second quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 39-yard field goal, 12:06. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:11.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 6:43. Cardinals 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:23.
Third quarter
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 5:24. Cardinals 21–3. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 7:37.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Michael Floyd 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:20. Cardinals 28–3. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 7:26.
Top passers
NYJ – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 16/31, 174 yards, INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 23/34, 213 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Matt Forte – 9 rushes, 19 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 22 rushes, 111 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
NYJ – Brandon Marshall – 3 receptions, 70 yards
ARI – John Brown – 5 receptions, 54 yards :
This was the Cardinals' first win over the Jets since 1975, when the Cardinals were based in St. Louis, Missouri.

#### Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: October 23
* Game time: 5:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 65,089
* Referee: Terry McAulay
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 46-yard field goal, 3:11. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 53 yards, 8:24.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 40-yard field goal, 4:00. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:33.
Overtime
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 45-yard field goal, 11:23. Cardinals 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:37.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 36-yard field goal, 6:42. Tied 6–6. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:41.
Top passers
SEA – Russell Wilson – 24/37, 225 yards
ARI – Carson Palmer – 29/49, 342 yards
Top rushers
SEA – Christine Michael – 16 rushes, 52 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 33 rushes, 113 yards
Top receivers
SEA – Doug Baldwin – 6 receptions, 69 yards
ARI – J. J. Nelson – 3 receptions, 84 yards :
Cardinals placekicker Chandler Catanzaro and Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka each miss game winning field goals as the game finishes in a 6-6 tie and the Cardinals earn their first tie since the 1986 season.

#### Week 8: at Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| Panthers | 14 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 30 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
* Date: October 30
* Game time: 10:00 a.m.
* Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 74,088
* Referee: Walt Coleman
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – Thomas Davis 46-yard fumble return (Graham Gano kick), 11:48. Panthers 7–0.
CAR – Jonathan Stewart 2-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 2:24. Panthers 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.
Second quarter
CAR – Jonathan Stewart 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 11:05. Panthers 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:40.
CAR – Graham Gano 43-yard field goal, 2:45. Panthers 24–0. Drive: 13 plays, 35 yards, 6:31.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:20. Panthers 24–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:25.
Third quarter
CAR – Graham Gano 52-yard field goal, 11:56. Panthers 27–7. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:04.
CAR – Graham Gano 21-yard field goal, 7:18. Panthers 30–7. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:07.
ARI – John Brown 17-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:45. Panthers 30–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:33.
Fourth quarter
ARI – J. J. Nelson 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed), 5:01. Panthers 30–20. Drive: 14 plays, 92 yards, 4:49.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 35/46, 363 yards, 3 TD, INT
CAR – Cam Newton – 14/27, 212 yards
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 10 rushes, 24 yards
CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 25 rushes, 95 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Johnson – 7 receptions, 84 yards
CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 2 receptions, 73 yards :
In a rematch of the NFC championship, the Panthers led by as much as 24 points until Arizona ended the game by cutting the lead to 10.

#### Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: November 13
* Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST
* Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 65,127
* Referee: Brad Allen
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – David Johnson 3-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:55. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 6:04.
Second quarter
ARI – David Johnson 18-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:42. Cardinals 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 56 yards, 0:18.
SF – Jeremy Kerley 17-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 12:12. Cardinals 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:30.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 39-yard field goal, 8:28. Cardinals 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:44.
SF – Phil Dawson 49-yard field goal, 1:32. Cardinals 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 6:56.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 1:32.
Third quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 53-yard field goal, 8:40. Cardinals 20–13. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:16.
Fourth quarter
SF – Colin Kaepernick 4-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 1:55. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 1:18.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 23–20. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 1:55.
Top passers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 17/30, 210 yards, TD
ARI – Carson Palmer – 30/49, 376 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
SF – Colin Kaepernick – 10 rushes, 55 yards, TD
ARI – David Johnson – 19 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF – Jeremy Kerley – 7 receptions, 71 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 12 receptions, 133 yards :

#### Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Vikings | 7 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 20
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: Played indoors (domed stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,808
* Referee: Clete Blakeman
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 16-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 10:25. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:54.
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:07. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:18.
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 10:04. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 6:26.
MIN – Matt Asiata 2-yard run (kick blocked), 7:16. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:48.
MIN – Xavier Rhodes 100-yard interception return (Kai Forbath kick), 3:07. Vikings 20–10.
ARI – Jermaine Gresham 29-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:50. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:17.
Third quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 104-yard kickoff return (Kai Forbath kick), 14:47. Vikings 27–17.
MIN – Kai Forbath 27-yard field goal, 0:04. Vikings 30–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:06.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard pass (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:24. Vikings 30–24. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 1:46.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 20/38, 198 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIN – Sam Bradford – 20/28, 169 yards, TD
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 16 rushes, 44 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 6 rec, 63 yards
MIN – Adam Thielen – 5 rec, 65 yards, TD :

#### Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
* Date: November 27
* Game time: 11:00 am. MST
* Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
* Game attendance: 69,233
* Referee: John Parry
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Jermaine Gresham 1-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 9:39. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:21.
ATL – Devonta Freeman 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 3:38. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 6:01.
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 25-yard field goal, 12:52. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:46.
ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 8:30. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:22.
ATL – Taylor Gabriel 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:19. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 45 yards, 0:51.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 54-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 17–13. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 0:25.
Third quarter
ATL – Tevin Coleman 2-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:56. Falcons 24–13. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 6:05.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Taylor Gabriel 25-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:48. Falcons 31–13. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:29.
ARI – David Johnson 3-yard pass from Carson Palmer (pass failed), 4:44. Falcons 31–19. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:04.
ATL – Devonta Freeman 5-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:07. Falcons 38–19. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 25/45, 289 yards, 2 TD, INT
ATL – Matt Ryan – 26/34, 269 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 13 rushes, 58 yards
ATL – Devonta Freeman – 16 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Johnson – 8 receptions, 103 yards, TD
ATL – Taylor Gabriel – 4 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 23 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: December 4
* Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
* Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny - retractable roof open
* Game attendance: 64,939
* Referee: Walt Anderson
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 6:43. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:17.
Second quarter
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 47-yard field goal, 9:48. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:33.
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 20-yard field goal, 1:52. Cardinals 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:26.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 28-yard field goal, 0:07. Cardinals 10–6. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
WAS – Kirk Cousins 1-yard run (Dustin Hopkins kick), 12:36. Redskins 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:24.
ARI – Michael Floyd 6-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 4:10. Cardinals 17–13. Drive: 3 plays, 10 yards, 0:51.
WAS – Jamison Crowder 26-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dustin Hopkins kick), 1:06. Redskins 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:04.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 25-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 11:09. Cardinals 24–20. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 53-yard field goal, 6:01. Cardinals 24–23. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 5:08.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 42-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:56. Cardinals 31–23. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:05.
Top passers
WAS – Kirk Cousins – 21/37, 271 yards, TD, INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 30/46, 300 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
WAS – Robert Kelley – 14 rushes, 63 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 18 rushes, 84 yards, TD
Top receivers
WAS – Pierre Garçon – 7 receptions, 78 yards
ARI – David Johnson – 9 receptions, 91 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 6 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 26 |
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 11
* Game time: 11:00 am. MST
* Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), cloudy
* Game attendance: 65,750
* Referee: Jerome Boger
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Kenny Stills 28-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 9:27. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 2:09.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 56-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 8:00. Dolphins 7–6. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:27.
Second quarter
MIA – Dion Sims 7-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 11:41. Dolphins 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:55.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 56-yard field goal, 1:18. Dolphins 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:21.
Third quarter
MIA – Damien Williams 3-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Andrew Franks kick), 11:17. Dolphins 21–9. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:43.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Brittan Golden 9-yard pass from Carson Palmer, 7:05. Dolphins 21–15. Drive: 12 plays, 99 yards, 6:43.
MIA – Walt Aikens defensive two-point conversion, 7:05. Dolphins 23–15.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 8-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Carson Palmer–David Johnson pass), 3:01. Tied 23–23. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:13.
MIA – Andrew Franks 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Dolphins 26–23. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 18/33, 145 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 15/20, 195 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 20 rushes, 80 yards
MIA – Jay Ajayi – 20 rushes, 48 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Jermaine Gresham – 5 receptions, 45 yards
MIA – Jarvis Landry – 4 receptions, 103 yards :
This was the Cardinals' first loss to the Dolphins since 1999.

#### Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 10 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 48 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
* Date: December 18
* Game time: 2:05 pm. MST
* Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny - retractable roof open
* Game attendance: 65,072
* Referee: Carl Cheffers
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Kerwynn Williams 49-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 12:27. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 2:33.
NO – Wil Lutz 37-yard field goal, 5:27. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 7:00.
NO – Travaris Cadet 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:33. Saints 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:59.
Second quarter
ARI – Calais Campbell 53-yard fumble return (kick failed, wide left), 7:08. Cardinals 13–10.
NO – Brandin Cooks 65-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:11. Saints 17–13. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:57.
NO – Brandin Cooks 45-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:51. Saints 24–13. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:41.
ARI – J. J. Nelson 10-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:40. Saints 24–20. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 1:11.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 39-yard field goal, 6:06. Saints 27–20. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 5:57.
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:19. Tied 27–27. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:47.
Fourth quarter
NO – Tim Hightower 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:59. Saints 34–27. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:20.
ARI – David Johnson 7-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:57. Tied 34–34. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:02.
NO – Michael Thomas 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:33. Saints 41–34. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:24.
NO – Tim Hightower 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:27. Saints 48–34. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards, 1:46.
ARI – John Brown 30-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 2:19. Saints 48–41. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:08.
Top passers
NO – Drew Brees – 37/48, 389 yards, 4 TD
ARI – Carson Palmer – 28/40, 318 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NO – Mark Ingram II – 17 rushes, 78 yards
ARI – Kerwynn Williams – 3 rushes, 63 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Brandin Cooks – 7 receptions, 186 yards, 2 TD
ARI – John Brown – 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD :
With the close loss, the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

#### Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 34 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 31 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
* Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), partly cloudy
* Game attendance: 69,050
* Referee: Ronald Torbert
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – David Johnson 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:52. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:54.
Second quarter
ARI – J. J. Nelson 80-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:53. Cardinals 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 1:30.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 27-yard field goal, 0:15. Cardinals 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:17.
Third quarter
SEA – Jermaine Kearse 2-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 8:20. Cardinals 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:40.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 13:32. Cardinals 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:59.
SEA – Doug Baldwin 42-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Russell Wilson–Marcel Reece pass), 8:49. Cardinals 21–18. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:43.
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 6:47. Cardinals 28–18. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:02.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 42-yard field goal, 4:10. Cardinals 31–18. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:59.
SEA – Jimmy Graham 37-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 2:48. Cardinals 31–25. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:22.
SEA – Paul Richardson 5-yard pass from Russell Wilson (kick failed, wide left), 1:00. Tied 31–31. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 1:22.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 34–31. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 1:00.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 16/26, 284 yards, TD
SEA – Russell Wilson – 29/45, 350 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 28 rushes, 95 yards, 3 TD
SEA – Russell Wilson – 10 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
ARI – J. J. Nelson – 3 receptions, 132 yards, TD
SEA – Doug Baldwin – 13 receptions, 171 yards, TD :

#### Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
| Rams | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
* Date: January 1, 2017
* Game time: 2:25 pm. MST
* Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), sunny
* Game attendance: 80,729
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Gamebook
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 32-yard field goal, 10:34. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:26.
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 12:25. Cardinals 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:07.
ARI – Jeremy Ross 4-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:42. Cardinals 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:13.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 37-yard field goal, 2:34. Cardinals 13–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 5:08.
LA – Greg Zuerlein 36-yard field goal, 0:48. Cardinals 13–6. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:11.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 47-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 16–6. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 0:48.
Third quarter
ARI – Darren Fells 37-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 13:11. Cardinals 23–6. Drive: 1 play, 37 yards, 0:09.
ARI – Kerwynn Williams 1-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:17. Cardinals 30–6. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:27.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 5-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 11:35. Cardinals 37–6. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:48.
ARI – Justin Bethel 66-yard interception return (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:06. Cardinals 44–6.
Top passers
ARI – Carson Palmer – 20/38, 255 yards, 3 TD, INT
LA – Jared Goff – 13/20, 120 yards
Top rushers
ARI – Kerwynn Williams – 12 rushes, 60 yards, TD
LA – Todd Gurley – 14 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers
ARI – J. J. Nelson – 4 receptions, 75 yards
LA – Todd Gurley – 4 receptions, 37 yards :
Despite losing running back David Johnson to a knee injury in the first quarter, Arizona still managed to blow out the Rams, 44-6 to finish the year at 7-8-1.

## Standings
### Division

NFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | 354 | 292 | W1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | 418 | 362 | W2 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | 224 | 394 | L7 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 2–4 | 2–10 | 309 | 480 | L1 |

### Conference

NFCvte :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division leaders ||||||||||||
| 1 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .471 | .440 | L1 |
| 2 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .480 | .452 | W4 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .441 | .425 | W1 |
| 4 | Green Bay Packers | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .508 | .453 | W6 |
| Wild Cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | New York Giants | East | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .486 | .455 | W1 |
| 6 | Detroit Lions | North | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .475 | .392 | L3 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 7 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .492 | .434 | W1 |
| 8 | Washington Redskins | East | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .516 | .430 | L1 |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .492 | .457 | W1 |
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | .463 | .366 | W2 |
| 11 | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .523 | .393 | L1 |
| 12 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .559 | .518 | W2 |
| 13 | Carolina Panthers | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .518 | .354 | L2 |
| 14 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .504 | .500 | L7 |
| 15 | Chicago Bears | North | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .521 | .396 | L4 |
| 16 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .504 | .250 | L1 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| 1 2 Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3. 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division. ||||||||||||