# 1998 Arizona Cardinals season

The 1998 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 100th season, 79th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 11th in Arizona. The club posted its first winning record since 1984, appeared in the postseason for the first time since 1982, its first postseason appearance in a non-strike season since 1975, and won its first postseason game since 1947 (it was also their first ever playoff win on the road). It was the Cardinals' first playoff appearance in the franchise's tenure in Arizona. After shocking the 10–6 Dallas Cowboys in the opening round in which the Cardinals won 20–7, Arizona ended up losing to the 15–1 Minnesota Vikings, 41–21 in the Divisional round. Over the next ten seasons, the Cardinals fell out of contention. They returned to the playoffs following the 2008 season, including a Super Bowl appearance despite a similarly mediocre 9–7 record.
Statistics site Football Outsiders states that the 1998 Arizona Cardinals are the third-worst team behind the 2004 Rams and 2010 Seahawks to qualify for the NFL playoffs since they began calculating ratings. Ironically, all three of those teams won their first playoff games before falling in the divisional round.
The season also marked the Cardinals' first game in St. Louis since re-locating to Arizona after the 1987 season. The Cardinals defeated the St. Louis Rams 20–17. Prior to the 2002 season, the Cardinals would be realigned to the NFC West, thus becoming divisional rivals to the Rams, and from then would play a regular season game in their former city every year until the Rams' return to the Los Angeles metropolitan area after the 2015 season.

## Offseason
### NFL Draft

1998 Arizona Cardinals draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 3 | Andre Wadsworth | Defensive end | Florida State |
| 2 | 33 | Corey Chavous * | Defensive back | Vanderbilt |
| 2 | 36 | Anthony Clement | Offensive tackle | Louisiana–Lafayette |
| 4 | 95 | Michael Pittman | Running back | Fresno State |
| 5 | 125 | Terry Hardy | Tight end | Southern Miss |
| 6 | 158 | Zack Walz | Linebacker | Dartmouth |
| 7 | 193 | Phil Savoy | Wide receiver | Colorado |
| 7 | 209 | Jomo Cousins | Defensive end | Florida A&M |
| 7 | 226 | Pat Tillman | Defensive back | Arizona State |
| 7 | 233 | Ron Janes | Running back | Missouri |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

1998 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Cory Sauter | Quarterback | Minnesota |
| Cory Wedel | Kicker | Wyoming |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | TV | Attendance |
| 1 | September 6 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 10–38 | 0–1 | Texas Stadium | FOX | 63,602 |
| 2 | September 13 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 14–33 | 0–2 | Kingdome | FOX | 57,678 |
| 3 | September 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 17–3 | 1–2 | Sun Devil Stadium | ESPN | 39,782 |
| 4 | September 27 | at St. Louis Rams | W 20–17 | 2–2 | Trans World Dome | FOX | 55,832 |
| 5 | October 4 | Oakland Raiders | L 20–23 | 2–3 | Sun Devil Stadium | CBS | 53,240 |
| 6 | October 11 | Chicago Bears | W 20–7 | 3–3 | Sun Devil Stadium | FOX | 50,495 |
| 7 | October 18 | at New York Giants | L 7–34 | 3–4 | Giants Stadium | FOX | 70,456 |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | November 1 | at Detroit Lions | W 17–15 | 4–4 | Pontiac Silverdome | FOX | 66,087 |
| 10 | November 8 | Washington Redskins | W 29–27 | 5–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | FOX | 45,950 |
| 11 | November 15 | Dallas Cowboys | L 28–35 | 5–5 | Sun Devil Stadium | FOX | 71,670 |
| 12 | November 22 | at Washington Redskins | W 45–42 | 6–5 | Jack Kent Cooke Stadium | FOX | 63,435 |
| 13 | November 29 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 24–34 | 6–6 | Arrowhead Stadium | FOX | 69,613 |
| 14 | December 6 | New York Giants | L 19–23 | 6–7 | Sun Devil Stadium | FOX | 46,128 |
| 15 | December 13 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 20–17 (OT) | 7–7 | Veterans Stadium | FOX | 62,176 |
| 16 | December 20 | New Orleans Saints | W 19–17 | 8–7 | Sun Devil Stadium | FOX | 51,617 |
| 17 | December 27 | San Diego Chargers | W 16–13 | 9–7 | Sun Devil Stadium | CBS | 71,670 |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. ||||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 38 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: September 6
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,602
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, Ronnie Lott, & Mike Doocy
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
DAL – Troy Aikman 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 7–0.
DAL – Ernie Mills 30-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 14–0.
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Cowboys 14–3.
DAL – Troy Aikman 2-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 21–3.
ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 21–10.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Billy Davis 7-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 28–10.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 25-yard field goal. Cowboys 31–10.
DAL – Kenny Wheaton 15-yard fumble return (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 38–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 14/33, 166 yards
DAL – Troy Aikman – 22/32, 256 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 35 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 29 rushes, 124 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 84 yards
DAL – Michael Irvin – 9 receptions, 119 yards :

#### Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Seahawks | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 33 |
at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
* Date: September 13
* Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST/2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 57,678
* TV announcers (Fox): Steve Buckhantz & Trevor Matich
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
SEA – Todd Peterson 51-yard field goal. Seahawks 3–0.
SEA – Willie Williams 28-yard interception return (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 10–0.
Second quarter
SEA – Mack Strong 4-yard pass from Warren Moon (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 17–0.
SEA – Todd Peterson 22-yard field goal. Seahawks 20–0.
Third quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Seahawks 20–7.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Joey Galloway 9-yard pass from Warren Moon (run failed). Seahawks 26–7.
SEA – Shawn Springs 56-yard interception return (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 33–7.
ARI – Chris Gedney 23-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Seahawks 33–14.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/36, 204 yards, TD, 3 INT
SEA – Warren Moon – 22/32, 146 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 20 rushes, 79 yards, TD
SEA – Ricky Watters – 22 rushes, 105 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Centers – 7 receptions, 54 yards
SEA – Mike Pritchard – 3 receptions, 54 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 17 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: September 20
* Game time: 6:20 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C)
* Game attendance: 36,717
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Thiesmann, Paul Maguire, & Solomon Wilcots
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
No scoring plays
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
PHI – Chris Boniol 29-yard field goal. Eagles 3–0.
ARI – Joe Nedney 47-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
ARI – Johnny McWilliams 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–3.
ARI – Adrian Murrell 25-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–3.
Top passers
PHI – Rodney Peete – 13/23, 145 yards
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/35, 137 yards, TD
Top rushers
PHI – Duce Staley – 17 rushes, 67 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 22 rushes, 145 yards, TD
Top receivers
PHI – Russell Copeland – 6 receptions, 76 yards
ARI – Johnny McWilliams – 3 receptions, 36 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 55,832
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert & Tim Green
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
STL – Robert Holcombe 5-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). Rams 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Rams 7–3.
ARI – Frank Sanders 13-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–7.
ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–7.
STL – Jeff Wilkins 57-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–10.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
STL – Robert Holcombe 4-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). Tied 17–17.
ARI – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–17.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/31, 211 yards, TD, INT
STL – Tony Banks – 15/26, 171 yards
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 29 rushes, 68 yards, TD
STL – Robert Holcombe – 21 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 9 receptions, 86 yards, TD
STL – Amp Lee – 5 receptions, 53 yards :

#### Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 6 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 4
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,178
* TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist, Randy Cross, & Michele Tafoya
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Johnny McWilliams 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–0.
OAK – Greg Davis 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.
OAK – Greg Davis 40-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–6.
Second quarter
ARI – Rob Moore 13-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 14–6.
OAK – Greg Davis 34-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–9.
OAK – Charles Woodson 46-yard interception return (Greg Davis kick). Raiders 16–14.
OAK – Donald Hollas 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Raiders 23–14.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 41-yard field goal. Raiders 23–17.
ARI – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal. Raiders 23–20.
Top passers
OAK – Donald Hollas – 12/22, 104 yards
ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/39, 208 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
OAK – Napoleon Kaufman – 16 rushes, 58 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 28 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Rickey Dudley – 3 receptions, 35 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 118 yards :

#### Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 11
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,860
* TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley & Ron Pitts
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 49-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–0.
ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–0.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 40-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–0.
CHI – Bobby Engram 79-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Cardinals 20–7.
Top passers
CHI – Erik Kramer – 16/28, 247 yards, TD, 4 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/25, 157 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
CHI – Edgar Bennett – 9 rushes, 29 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 21 rushes, 60 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Bobby Engram – 5 receptions, 142 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Centers – 7 receptions, 52 yards :

#### Week 7: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Giants | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 18
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,456
* TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley & Ron Pitts
* Box Score
Game information :
NYG – Charles Way 1-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 7–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Gary Brown 1-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 14–0.
ARI – Johnny McWilliams 14-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Giants 14–7.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 26-yard field goal. Giants 17–7.
Third quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 34-yard field goal. Giants 20–7.
NYG – Chris Calloway 19-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 27–7.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Amani Toomer 18-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 34–7.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 12/21, 139 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Danny Kanell – 22/36, 259 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Mario Bates – 13 rushes, 45 yards
NYG – Gary Brown – 24 rushes, 108 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 52 yards
NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD :

#### Week 9: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Lions | 0 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 15 |
at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
* Date: November 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,087
* TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley & Ron Pitts
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 28-yard field goal. Lions 3–0.
ARI – Frank Sanders 16-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–3.
DET – Jason Hanson 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–6.
Third quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 44-yard field goal. Lions 9–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 36-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 14–9.
Fourth quarter
DET – Tommy Vardell 1-yard run (kick failed). Lions 15–14.
ARI – Joe Nedney 53-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–15.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 15/25, 198 yards, 2 TD, INT
DET – Frank Reich – 10/15, 119 yards
Top rushers
ARI – Mario Bates – 14 rushes, 32 yards
DET – Barry Sanders – 27 rushes, 107 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 5 receptions, 107 yards TD
DET – Johnnie Morton – 7 receptions, 115 yards :

#### Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 29 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 8
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 43,159
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, & Ronnie Lott
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Cary Blanchard 34-yard field goal. Redskins 3–0.
Second quarter
WAS – Skip Hicks 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Redskins 10–0.
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 10–7.
WAS – Brian Mitchell 6-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Redskins 17–7.
Third quarter
ARI – Larry Centers 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–14.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 21–17.
ARI – Team safety. Cardinals 23–17.
ARI – Joe Nedney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 26–17.
WAS – Leslie Shepherd 35-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 26–24.
WAS – Cary Blanchard 54-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–26.
ARI – Joe Nedney 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 29–27.
Top passers
WAS – Trent Green – 17/33, 183 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/30, 186 yards, TD
Top rushers
WAS – Skip Hicks – 15 rushes, 64 yards, TD
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 23 rushes, 107 yards
Top receivers
WAS – Brian Mitchell – 7 receptions, 58 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 50 yards :

#### Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 28 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,923
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden, & Kevin McCabe
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Chris Warren 3-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 7–0.
DAL – Daryl Johnston 1-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 14–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 21–0.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 28–0.
ARI – Frank Sanders 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 28–7.
Third quarter
ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 28–14.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 35–14.
ARI – Rob Moore 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 35–21.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 35–28.
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman – 14/18, 208 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 31/56, 465 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 26 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TD
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 14 rushes, 34 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Billy Davis – 3 receptions, 70 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 11 receptions, 190 yards :

#### Week 12: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 17 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 45 |
| Redskins | 0 | 6 | 21 | 15 | 42 |
at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland
* Date: November 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,435
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, & Ronnie Lott
* Box Score
Game information :
ARI – Joe Nedney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
ARI – Johnny McWilliams 6-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–0.
ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 13-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 24–0.
ARI – Jake Plummer 10-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 31–0.
WAS – Michael Westbrook 15-yard pass from Trent Green (kick failed). Cardinals 31–6.
Third quarter
WAS – Michael Westbrook 12-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 31–13.
ARI – Larry Centers 9-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 38–13.
WAS – Michael Westbrook 11-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 38–20.
WAS – Leslie Shepherd 16-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 38–27.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Skip Hicks 5-yard run (Trent Green–Leslie Shepherd pass). Cardinals 38–35.
ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 45–35.
WAS – Trent Green 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 45–42.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/28, 251 yards, 2 TD, INT
WAS – Trent Green – 22/36, 382 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 20 rushes, 92 yards, TD
WAS – Trent Green – 5 rushes, 26 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 83 yards
WAS – Michael Westbrook – 10 receptions, 135 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 34 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: November 29
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,613
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, Ronnie Lott, & Kevin McCabe
* Box Score
Game information :
KC – Bam Morris 2-yard run (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3.
KC – Donnell Bennett 2-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 14–3.
ARI – Rob Moore 10-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 14–10.
Third quarter
KC – Derrick Alexander 30-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 21–10.
KC – Pete Stoyanovich 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 24–10.
ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 24–17.
Fourth quarter
KC – Derrick Alexander 15-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 31–17.
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 31–24.
KC – Pete Stoyanovich 18-yard field goal. Chiefs 34–24.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/37, 250 yards, TD, 2 INT
KC – Rich Gannon – 21/28, 231 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 77 yards, TD
KC – Bam Morris – 15 rushes, 76 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 100 yards
KC – Derrick Alexander – 6 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 14: vs. New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 7 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 23 |
| Cardinals | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 6
* Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C)
* Game attendance: 46,128
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen & Jerry Glanville
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 20-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0.
NYG – Tiki Barber 87-yard pass from Kent Graham (Brad Daluiso kick). Tied 7–7.
ARI – Adrian Murrell 8-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 14–7.
Second quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 21-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–7.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–10.
Third quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–13.
NYG – Charles Way 8-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 20–17.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. Giants 23–17.
ARI – Team safety. Giants 23–19.
Top passers
NYG – Kent Graham – 8/23, 144 yards, TD, 2 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/40, 263 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYG – Gary Brown – 25 rushes, 124 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 16 rushes, 53 yards, TD
Top receivers
NYG – Tiki Barber – 2 receptions, 91 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 68 yards :

#### Week 15: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cardinals | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Eagles | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: December 13
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,176
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, & Ronnie Lott
* Box Score
Game information :
ARI – Chris Jacke 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
ARI – Tommy Bennett 70-yard interception return (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 10–0.
Second quarter
PHI – Duce Staley 30-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cardinals 10–7.
PHI – Chris Boniol 19-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
PHI – Irving Fryar 26-yard pass from Koy Detmer (Chris Boniol kick). Eagles 17–10.
ARI – Rob Moore 9-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Tied 17–17.
Overtime
ARI – Chris Jacke 32-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–17.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/26, 234 yards, TD, INT
PHI – Koy Detmer – 16/28, 219 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 32 rushes, 174 yards
PHI – Duce Staley – 30 rushes, 141 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 109 yards, TD
PHI – Jeff Graham – 3 receptions, 63 yards :

#### Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 20
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 51,617
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Ryan, Bill Maas, Ronnie Lott, & Kevin McCabe
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 21-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter
NO – Sammy Knight 39-yard interception return (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–3.
ARI – Chris Jacke 38-yard field goal. Saints 7–6.
NO – Doug Brien 28-yard field goal. Saints 10–6.
Third quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 29-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 13–10.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 46-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10.
NO – Cam Cleeland 13-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Doug Brien kick). Saints 17–16.
ARI – Chris Jacke 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–16.
Top passers
NO – Kerry Collins – 25/43, 265 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 32/44, 394 yards, INT
Top rushers
NO – Aaron Craver – 7 rushes, 45 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 19 rushes, 65 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Sean Dawkins – 7 receptions, 77 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 138 yards :

#### Week 17: vs. San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 27
* Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 71,670
* TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui & Beasley Reece
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0.
SD – John Carney 31-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3.
Fourth quarter
SD – John Carney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–6.
SD – Ryan Thelwell 30-yard pass from Craig Whelihan (John Carney kick). Tied 13–13.
ARI – Chris Jacke 52-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13.
Top passers
SD – Craig Whelihan – 16/40, 214 yards, TD, 4 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/41, 274 yards
Top rushers
SD – Terrell Fletcher – 23 rushes, 127 yards
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 18 rushes, 25 yards, TD
Top receivers
SD – Ryan Thelwell – 5 receptions, 84 yards, TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 8 receptions, 106 yards :

### Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 381 | 275 | W2 |
| $^{(6)}$ Arizona Cardinals | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 325 | 378 | W3 |
| New York Giants | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 287 | 309 | W4 |
| Washington Redskins | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 319 | 421 | L1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 161 | 344 | L3 |

### Postseason

| Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue |
| Wild Card | January 2, 1999 | at Dallas Cowboys (3) | W 20–7 | 1–0 | Texas Stadium |
| Divisional | January 10, 1999 | at Minnesota Vikings (1) | L 21–41 | 1–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |

#### NFC Wild Card Round: at (3) Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: January 2
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: Clear, 43 °F (6 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,969
* Referee: Bernie Kukar
* TV announcers (ABC/Westwood One): Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire (color commentators), and Solomon Wilcots (sideline reporter)/Joel Meyers (play-by-play) and Matt Millen (color commentator)
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Adrian Murrell 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0.
Third quarter
ARI – Larry Centers 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 17–0.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chris Jacke 46-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–0.
DAL – Billy Davis 6-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cardinals 20–7.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/36, 213 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DAL – Troy Aikman – 22/49, 191 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 12 rushes, 95 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 16 rushes, 74 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 72 yards
DAL – Patrick Jeffers – 7 receptions, 92 yards :
Quarterback Jake Plummer passed for 213 yards and two touchdowns as he led the Cardinals to their first playoff victory since 1947.

#### NFC Divisional Round: at (1) Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Vikings | 7 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: January 10
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/2:15 p.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,760
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (Fox/Westwood One): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Ron Pitts (sideline reporter)/John Rooney (play-by-play) and Matt Millen (color commentator)
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 7–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Andrew Glover 15-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 14–0.
MIN – Gary Anderson 34-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0.
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 17–7.
MIN – Leroy Hoard 16-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 24–7.
Third quarter
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 24–14.
MIN – Gary Anderson 20-yard field goal. Vikings 27–14.
MIN – Randy Moss 2-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 34–14.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 34–21.
MIN – Leroy Hoard 6-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 41–21.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/41, 242 yards, 2 INT
MIN – Randall Cunningham – 17/27, 236 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Adrian Murrell – 15 rushes, 62 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 19 rushes, 124 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 6 receptions, 91 yards
MIN – Cris Carter – 5 receptions, 82 yards :

## Awards and records

* Kwamie Lassiter, NFC Leader in Interceptions, 8
* Kwamie Lassiter, Tied NFL Record, Most Interceptions in One Game, 4 (Achieved on December 27)
* Frank Sanders, Led NFC in Receptions, 89