# 1997 Arizona Cardinals season

The 1997 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 99th season, 78th season in the National Football League and the 10th in Arizona. The team was unable to match their previous output of 7–9, instead winning only four games. The Cardinals failed to qualify to the playoffs for the fifteenth consecutive season.
In week 2, the Cardinals ended a 13-game losing streak to the Dallas Cowboys.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

1997 Arizona Cardinals draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 9 | Tom Knight | Cornerback | Iowa |
| 2 | 42 | Jake Plummer * | Quarterback | Arizona State |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

1997 Undrafted free agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Michael Comer | Linebacker | UTEP |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | August 31 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–24 | 0–1 | Cinergy Field | 50,298 |
| 2 | September 7 | Dallas Cowboys | W 25–22 (OT) | 1–1 | Sun Devil Stadium | 71,578 |
| 3 | September 14 | at Washington Redskins | L 13–19 | 1–2 | Jack Kent Cooke Stadium | 78,270 |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | September 28 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 18–19 | 1–3 | Houlihan's Stadium | 53,804 |
| 6 | October 5 | Minnesota Vikings | L 19–20 | 1–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | 45,550 |
| 7 | October 12 | New York Giants | L 13–27 | 1–5 | Sun Devil Stadium | 38,959 |
| 8 | October 19 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 10–13 | 1–6 | Veterans Stadium | 66,860 |
| 9 | October 26 | Tennessee Oilers | L 14–41 | 1–7 | Sun Devil Stadium | 44,030 |
| 10 | November 2 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 31–21 | 2–7 | Sun Devil Stadium | 39,549 |
| 11 | November 9 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 6–24 | 2–8 | Texas Stadium | 64,302 |
| 12 | November 16 | at New York Giants | L 10–19 | 2–9 | Giants Stadium | 68,316 |
| 13 | November 23 | at Baltimore Ravens | W 16–13 | 3–9 | Memorial Stadium | 53,976 |
| 14 | November 30 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 20–26 | 3–10 | Sun Devil Stadium | 66,341 |
| 15 | December 7 | Washington Redskins | L 28–38 | 3–11 | Sun Devil Stadium | 41,537 |
| 16 | December 14 | at New Orleans Saints | L 10–27 | 3–12 | Louisiana Superdome | 45,517 |
| 17 | December 21 | Atlanta Falcons | W 29–26 | 4–12 | Sun Devil Stadium | 32,003 |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |||||||

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Bengals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 24 |
at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: August 31
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,644
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Leeland McElroy 17-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–0.
Second quarter
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 38-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.
ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 21–3.
Fourth quarter
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Cardinals 21–10.
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Cardinals 21–17.
CIN – Carl Pickens 7-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 24–21.
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 20/36, 248 yards, INT
CIN – Jeff Blake – 24/35, 252 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 17 rushes, 52 yards, TD
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter – 19 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 105 yards
CIN – Carl Pickens – 8 receptions, 79 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cowboys | 6 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 25 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: September 7
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 89 °F (32 °C)
* Game attendance: 71,578
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Richie Cunningham 24-yard field goal. Cowboys 3–0.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 47-yard field goal. Cowboys 6–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Leeland McElroy 10-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–6.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 37-yard field goal. Cowboys 9–7.
DAL – Chad Hennings 4-yard fumble return (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 16–7.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 34-yard field goal. Cowboys 19–7.
Third quarter
DAL – Richie Cunningham 28-yard field goal. Cowboys 22–7.
ARI – Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cowboys 22–14.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Pat Carter 1-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kent Graham-Rob Moore pass). Tied 22–22.
Overtime
ARI – Kevin Butler 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 25–22.
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman – 21/40, 171 yards
ARI – Kent Graham – 26/47, 249 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 19 rushes, 132 yards
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 16 rushes, 53 yards, TD
Top receivers
DAL – Eric Bjornson – 3 receptions, 59 yards
ARI – Rob Moore – 6 receptions, 108 yards :

#### Week 3: at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Redskins | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland
* Date: September 14
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,270
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Scott Blanton 20-yard field goal. Redskins 3–0.
ARI – Tommy Bennett 0-yard blocked punt recovery. Cardinals 7–3.
Second quarter
WAS – Michael Westbrook 5-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 10–7.'
Third quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 32-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Scott Blanton 19-yard field goal. Redskins 13–10.
ARI – Kevin Butler 47-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
Overtime
WAS – Michael Westbrook 40-yard pass from Gus Frerotte. Redskins 19–13.
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 17/40, 132 yards
WAS – Gus Frerotte – 19/36, 265 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 18 rushes, 49 yards
WAS – Terry Allen – 25 rushes, 56 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Larry Centers – 6 receptions, 42 yards
WAS – Leslie Shepherd – 4 receptions, 67 yards :

#### Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 18 |
| Buccaneers | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 19 |
at Houlihan's Stadium, Tampa, Florida
* Date: September 28
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,804
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
TB – Alshermond Singleton 28-yard blocked punt return (kick failed). Buccaneers 6–0.
Second quarter
TB – Reidel Anthony 8-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (run failed). Buccaneers 12–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 21-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Buccaneers 12–7.
Third quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 37-yard field goal. Buccaneers 12–10.
ARI – Aeneas Williams 42-yard interception return (Kent Graham–Frank Sanders pass). Cardinals 18–12.
Fourth quarter
TB – Karl Williams 31-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 19–18.
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 31/52, 339 yards, TD, 2 INT
TB – Trent Dilfer – 12/24, 110 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 13 rushes, 40 yards
TB – Warrick Dunn – 10 rushes, 27 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 147 yards, TD
TB – Reidel Anthony – 5 receptions, 49 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Cardinals | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 5
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C)
* Game attendance: 45,550
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Andrew Glover 18-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Eddie Murray kick). Vikings 7–0.
ARI – Kevin Butler 23-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3.
Second quarter
MIN – Eddie Murray 49-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
ARI – Chris Gedney 33-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 10–10.
ARI – Kevin Butler 23-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10.
Third quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 49-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–10.
MIN – Cris Carter 1-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Eddie Murray kick). Cardinals 19–17.
MIN – Eddie Murray 38-yard field goal. Vikings 20–19.
Top passers
MIN – Brad Johnson – 25/39, 292 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Kent Graham – 22/38, 293 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 17 rushes, 60 yards
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 15 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Andrew Glover – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 108 yards :

#### Week 7: vs. New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 12
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 38,959
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 31-yard field goal. Giants 3–0.
Second quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 48-yard field goal. Giants 6–0.
ARI – Aeneas Williams 30-yard interception return (kick failed). Tied 6–6.
Third quarter
NYG – David Patten 18-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 13–6.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Tyrone Wheatley 8-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 20–6.
NYG – Erric Pegram 18-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 27–6.
ARI – Stoney Case 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Giants 27–13.
Top passers
NYG – Danny Kanell – 13/28, 198 yards, TD, INT
ARI – Stoney Case – 18/33, 222 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
ARI – LeShon Johnson – 2 rushes, 14 yards
Top receivers
NYG – David Patten – 3 receptions, 66 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 87 yards :

#### Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 19
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,860
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
PHI – Ricky Watters 2-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Eagles 7–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 23-yard field goal. Eagles 7–3.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Williams 31-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–7.
PHI – Chris Boniol 38-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Overtime
PHI – Chris Boniol 24-yard field goal. Eagles 13–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 5/9, 98 yards, TD
PHI – Rodney Peete – 23/36, 298 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 11 rushes, 37 yards
PHI – Ricky Watters – 24 rushes, 83 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 6 receptions, 101 yards
PHI – Irving Fryar – 5 receptions, 85 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. Tennessee Oilers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 3 | 14 | 17 | 7 | 41 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: October 26
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
* Game attendance: 44,030
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
TEN – Al Del Greco 52-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
Second quarter
TEN – Denard Walker 39-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 20–0.
Third quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 27–7.
TEN – Chris Sanders 55-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 34–7.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Chris Sanders 20-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 41–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 41–14.
Top passers
TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 146 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/40, 195 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 71 yards
ARI – Larry Centers – 14 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers
TEN – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 98 yards :

#### Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 2
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 39,549
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Bernard Wilson 66-yard interception return (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–0.
PHI – Willie Clark 39-yard kickoff return (Chris Boniol kick). Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 45-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–7.
Third quarter
ARI – Rob Moore 31-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–7.
PHI – Mark Seay 19-yard pass from Ty Detmer (Chris Boniol kick). Cardinals 17–14.
PHI – Freddie Solomon 18-yard pass from Ty Detmer (Chris Boniol kick). Eagles 21–17.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kent Graham 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 24–21.
ARI – Kent Graham 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 31–21.
Top passers
PHI – Ty Detmer – 15/27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 7/18, 132 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PHI – Ricky Watters – 21 rushes, 73 yards
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 13 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
PHI – Freddie Solomon – 4 receptions, 77 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 3 receptions, 82 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: November 9
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 64,302
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 42-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Richie Cunningham 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
DAL – Herschel Walker 11-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 10–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 39-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–6.
DAL – Sherman Williams 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 17–6.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 5-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 24–6.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 13/22, 148 yards
DAL – Troy Aikman – 15/22, 216 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 7 rushes, 51 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 15 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 6 receptions, 95 yards
DAL – Anthony Miller – 3 receptions, 77 yards :

#### Week 12: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Giants | 0 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 19 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,316
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 33-yard field goal. Giants 3–0.
NYG – Amani Toomer 56-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 10–0.
Third quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 70-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Giants 10–7.
ARI – Joe Nedney 34-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 1-yard pass from Danny Kanell (kick failed). Giants 16–10.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 35-yard field goal. Giants 19–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/33, 388 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Danny Kanell – 14/21, 182 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 10 rushes, 34 yards
NYG – Charles Way – 14 rushes, 114 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 9 receptions, 188 yards, TD
NYG – Amani Toomer – 2 receptions, 64 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
| Ravens | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* Date: November 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
* Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,976
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
Second quarter
BAL – Matt Stover 46-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–3.
BAL – Bam Morris 1-yard run (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 10–6.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 13–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 34-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
ARI – Joe Nedney 43-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/34, 218 yards, TD, 2 INT
BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 21/37, 193 yards
Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 8 rushes, 36 yards
BAL – Bam Morris – 20 rushes, 88 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 112 yards
BAL – Michael Jackson – 4 receptions, 56 yards :

#### Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: November 30
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,341
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
PIT – Jerome Bettis 2-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 7–0.
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 32-yard field goal. Steelers 7–3.
PIT – Norm Johnson 40-yard field goal. Steelers 10–3.
Third quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Tied 10–10.
PIT – Jerome Bettis 7-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–10.
ARI – Chris Gedney 11-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Tied 17–17.
Fourth quarter
PIT – Norm Johnson 39-yard field goal. Steelers 20–17.
ARI – Joe Nedney 19-yard field goal. Tied 20–20.
Overtime
PIT – Jerome Bettis 10-yard run. Steelers 26–20.
Top passers
PIT – Kordell Stewart – 18/35, 179 yards
ARI – Jake Plummer – 15/26, 270 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 36 rushes, 142 yards, 3 TD
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 9 rushes, 33 yards
Top receivers
PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 5 receptions, 78 yards
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 188 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 7
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 41,537
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Brian Mitchell 63-yard punt return (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 7–0.
Second quarter
WAS – Larry Bowie 3-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 14–0.
WAS – Scott Blanton 40-yard field goal. Redskins 17–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 29-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–14.
Third quarter
WAS – Chris Dishman 21-yard interception return (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 24–14.
ARI – Chris Gedney 37-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 24–21.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Henry Ellard 23-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 31–21.
ARI – Rob Moore 47-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 31–28.
WAS – Albert Connell 7-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 38–28.
Top passers
WAS – Jeff Hostetler – 18/34, 226 yards, 3 TD, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/38, 337 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
WAS – Stephen Davis – 20 rushes, 92 yards
ARI – Ronald Moore – 13 rushes, 38 yards
Top receivers
WAS – Brian Mitchell – 2 receptions, 79 yards
ARI – Rob Moore – 5 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Saints | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 27 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: December 14
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 45,517
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Jake Plummer 10-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–0.
Second quarter
NO – Doug Brien 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.
ARI – Joe Nedney 30-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
Third quarter
NO – Randal Hill 9-yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Doug Brien kick). Tied 10–10.
Fourth quarter
NO – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal. Saints 13–10.
NO – Eric Guliford 16-yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Doug Brien kick). Saints 20–10.
NO – John Farquhar 8-yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Doug Brien kick). Saints 27–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/37, 180 yards, 2 INT
NO – Billy Joe Hobert – 14/24, 252 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Ronald Moore – 22 rushes, 79 yards
NO – Ray Zellars – 19 rushes, 72 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 55 yards
NO – Randal Hill – 5 receptions, 124 yards, TD :

#### Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 14 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 29 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
* Date: December 21
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 32,003
* Box Score
Game information :
First quarter
ATL – Bert Emanuel 38-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0.
ARI – Chris Gedney 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Tied 7–7.
ATL – Terance Mathis 17-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–7.
Second quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 25-yard field goal. Falcons 17–7.
ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Falcons 17–14.
Third quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 31-yard field goal. Falcons 20–14.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 20-yard field goal. Falcons 23–14.
ATL – Morten Andersen 26-yard field goal. Falcons 26–14.
ARI – Rob Moore 21-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Falcons 26–21.
ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 28–26.
Top passers
ATL – Chris Chandler – 13/19, 176 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/39, 237 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
ATL – Jamal Anderson – 33 rushes, 152 yards
ARI – Ronald Moore – 10 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
ATL – Bert Emanuel – 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 91 yards, TD :

### Standings

NFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ New York Giants | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 307 | 265 | W3 |
| Washington Redskins | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 327 | 289 | W1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 317 | 372 | L3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 304 | 314 | L5 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 283 | 379 | W1 |