2008 Arizona Cardinals season The 2008 Arizona Cardinals season was the 89th season for the team in the National Football League and their 21st season in Arizona . The season marked the Cardinals ' first - ever Super Bowl appearance , coming as a result of their victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship . The Cardinals began their season strong , compiling a 7 – 3 record by Week 11 . However , they finished off the regular season struggling with a 9 – 7 record . This was still enough to win the NFC West , and the Cardinals , for the first time since 1947 , hosted a playoff game . In that wild card game , the Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons . The next week , for the Divisional round of the playoffs , the Cardinals traveled to Charlotte , North Carolina , where they upset the heavily - favored Carolina Panthers . Then , because the Philadelphia Eagles also achieved an upset the same week ( against the top - seeded New York Giants ) , the number - four seed Cardinals hosted the NFC Championship game , where they defeated the Eagles and qualified for the Super Bowl . In Super Bowl XLIII , the Cardinals ' winning streak ended . Though they led the Pittsburgh Steelers with less than a minute left to play in the game , in the end they were defeated , 27 – 23 . The 2008 Cardinals were just the second 9 – 7 team to reach the Super Bowl , joining the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV , who also lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers ; however , the Rams had to win only two playoff games , rather than three , to reach the Super Bowl . Regular season results . Week 1 : at San Francisco 49ers . The Cardinals began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC West rival , the San Francisco 49ers . In the first quarter , Arizona took flight as kicker Neil Rackers got a 25 - yard field goal . The 49ers responded with RB Frank Gore ' s 41 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Cardinals responded with QB Kurt Warner completing a one - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald , yet San Francisco tied the game with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 39 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cardinals began to soar as Rackers got a 31 - yard field goal , along with rookie RB Tim Hightower getting a two - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , the 49ers tried to respond with Nedney getting a 30 - yard field goal . Afterwards , Rackers ' 30 - yard field goal sealed the victory for Arizona . With the win , the Cardinals began their season at 1 – 0 . Week 2 : vs . Miami Dolphins . Coming off their divisional road win over the 49ers , the Cardinals played their Week 2 home opener against the Miami Dolphins . In the first quarter , the Cardinals scored first as QB Kurt Warner threw 2 TD passes ( a 79 - yarder and a three - yarder ) to WR Anquan Boldin . In the second quarter , Arizona increased their lead with a 45 yard field goal by Neil Rackers . In the third quarter , the Cardinals increased its lead to 24 – 0 with rookie RB Tim Hightower getting a one - yard TD run . In the process , he became the first Cardinals rookie running back to ever score in each of his first two games . The Dolphins finally got on the board when kicker Dan Carpenter nailed a 32 - yard field goal . The Cardinals replied with Warner and Boldin hooking up with each other for a third time on an eight - yard TD pass . In the fourth quarter , Miami tried to rally as RB Ronnie Brown got a one - yard TD run , but Arizona held on for a dominating win . With the win , the Cardinals improved to its first 2 – 0 start since 1991 . This game was also one of three times that Kurt Warner finished a game with a perfect passer rating . Week 3 : at Washington Redskins . Coming off their home win over the Dolphins , the Cardinals flew to FedEx Field for a Week 3 duel with the Washington Redskins . In the first quarter , Arizona trailed early as Redskins RB Clinton Portis got a three - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Cardinals continued to trail as kicker Shaun Suisham got a 48 - yard field goal . The Cardinals would end the half with QB Kurt Warner completing a four - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . In the third quarter , the Cardinals tied the game with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 26 - yard field goal , yet Washington responded with QB Jason Campbell completing a two - yard TD pass to TE Todd Yoder . Afterwards , Arizona answered with Warner completing a 62 - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald . However , in the fourth quarter , the Redskins pulled away with Campbell ' s 17 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 2 – 1 . Week 4 : at New York Jets . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Redskins , the Cardinals flew to The Meadowlands for a Week 4 interconference duel with the New York Jets . After a scoreless first quarter , Arizona started to trail big in the second quarter . The Jets took flight with QB Brett Favre completing a 12 - yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles , CB Darrelle Revis returning an interception 32 yards for a touchdown , Favre completing a 34 - yard TD pass to Coles , kicker Jay Feely getting 20 - yard field goal , Favre completing a two - yard TD pass to Coles , and Feely kicking a 30 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cardinals responded with RB Edgerrin James getting a four - yard and a two - yard TD run , along with rookie RB Tim Hightower getting a one - yard TD run . In the third quarter , New York answered with Favre ' s 17 - yard TD pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery . The Cardinals would reply with QB Kurt Warner completing an eight - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin , yet the Jets continued their victory march with Favre ' s 40 - yard TD pass to Cotchery . Arizona tried to rally as Warner completed a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban , but New York sealed the win with Favre ' s 24 - yard TD pass to TE Dustin Keller . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 2 – 2 . Week 5 : vs . Buffalo Bills . Hoping to rebound from their miserable road loss to the Jets , the Cardinals went home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills . In the first quarter , the Cardinals took flight as QB Kurt Warner completed a two - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald . In the second quarter , Arizona increased its lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower getting a 17 - yard TD run . The Bills responded with QB J . P . Losman completing an 87 - yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans , yet the Cardinals answered right back with RB Edgerrin James getting a one - yard TD run . Buffalo would answer with Losman getting a two - yard TD run , yet the Cardinals continued its momentum with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 47 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Bills tried to come back as kicker Rian Lindell got a 48 - yard field goal , but Arizona kept its intensity up as Warner completed a two - yard TD pass to Fitzgerald . In the fourth quarter , the Cardinals pulled away as Rackers nailed a 38 - yard field goal , along with Hightower getting a two - yard TD run . With the win , the Cardinals improved to 3 – 2 . Week 6 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . Coming off their rout over the Bills , the Cardinals stayed at home for a crucial Week 6 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , the Cardinals immediately took flight as RB J . J . Arrington returned the game ' s opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , the Cowboys tied the game as QB Tony Romo completed a 55 - yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton . In the third quarter , Dallas took the lead with Romo completing a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Miles Austin . Arizona would tie the game with QB Kurt Warner completing a two - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald . In the fourth quarter , the Cardinals regained the lead as Warner completed an 11 - yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston , along with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 41 - yard field goal . However , the Cowboys tied the game as Romo completed a 70 - yard TD pass to RB Marion Barber , along with kicker Nick Folk nailing a 52 - yard field goal . In overtime , after forcing a three - and - out , Arizona got the win as WR Sean Morey blocked a Mat McBriar punt attempt , allowing LB Monty Beisel to return it 3 yards for the game - winning touchdown . McBriar would end up with his foot fractured and put on the IR by the Cowboys . With the impressive win , the Cardinals entered their bye week at 4 – 2 . In the NFL ' s 423rd recorded overtime game , this was the first game to end with a blocked punt getting returned for a touchdown . Week 8 : at Carolina Panthers . Coming off their bye week , the Cardinals flew to Bank of America Stadium for a Week 8 duel with the Carolina Panthers . In the first quarter , the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers got a 21 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Arizona increased its lead as QB Kurt Warner completed a five - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . The Panthers closed out the half with kicker John Kasay getting a 23 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cardinals increased their lead as rookie RB Tim Hightower got a two - yard TD run . However , Carolina began to rally as RB DeAngelo Williams got a 15 - yard TD run , while QB Jake Delhomme completed an 18 - yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith . The Cardinals replied with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a two - yard TD pass ( with a failed PAT ) , but the Panthers took the lead on Delhomme ' s 65 - yard TD pass to Smith . In the fourth quarter , Carolina pulled away as Kasay nailed a 50 - yard field goal . With the tough loss , the Cardinals fell to 4 – 3 . Week 9 : at St . Louis Rams . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Panthers , the Cardinals flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 9 NFC West duel with the St . Louis Rams . In the first quarter , Arizona trailed early as Rams QB Marc Bulger completed an 80 - yard TD pass to WR Derek Stanley . In the second quarter , the Cardinals took flight as Safety Antrel Rolle returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown , kicker Neil Rackers got a 36 - yard field goal , rookie RB Tim Hightower got a 30 - yard TD run , and former Rams QB Kurt Warner completed a 56 - yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban . In the third quarter , the Cardinals continued their domination as Warner completed a seven - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . In the fourth quarter , St . Louis tried to rally as Bulger completed a three - yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt ( with a failed two - point conversion . ) Fortunately , Arizona pulled away as Rackers nailed a 30 - yard field goal . With the win , the Cardinals improved to 5 – 3 . Week 10 : vs . San Francisco 49ers . Coming off their divisional road win over the Rams , the Cardinals went home for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football . In the first quarter , Arizona trailed early as 49ers CB Allen Rossum returned the game ' s opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown . The Cardinals would respond as kicker Neil Rackers got a 28 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , San Francisco added onto their lead as QB Shaun Hill completed a 31 - yard TD pass to WR Josh Morgan . The Cardinals would answer with QB Kurt Warner completing a 13 - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin , along with Rackers getting a 33 - yard field goal . The 49ers would close out the half with Hill completing an 18 - yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis . In the third quarter , Arizona crept closer again as Warner completed a five - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald , yet San Francisco replied with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 41 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Cardinals took the lead as Rackers nailed a 23 - yard field goal , along with Warner hooking up with Boldin again on a five - yard TD pass ( with a failed two - point conversion . ) The 49ers would mount a late comeback drive , but Arizona made a successful goal - line stand as time ran out . With the win , the Cardinals improved to 6 – 3 . Week 11 : at Seattle Seahawks . Coming off their close MNF home win over the 49ers , the Cardinals flew to Qwest Field for a Week 11 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks . In the first quarter , the Cardinals took flight as kicker Neil Rackers got a 38 - yard field goal , along with RB J . J . Arrington getting a four - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Arizona increased its lead with Rackers making a 48 - yard field goal . The Seahawks answered with QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 13 - yard TD pass to RB Maurice Morris . The Cardinals would close out the half with Rackers getting a 54 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Cardinals increased their lead as Rackers nailed a 26 - yard field goal and QB Kurt Warner completed a six - yard TD pass to Arrington . In the fourth quarter , Seattle tried to rally as RB T . J . Duckett got a one - yard TD run ( with a failed two - point conversion ) and a two - yard TD run . Fortunately , rookie CB Dominique Rodgers - Cromartie came up with the game - winning interception . With the win , not only did the Cardinals win three straight for the first time since 2002 , but they improved to 7 – 3 for the first time since 1977 . Week 12 : vs . New York Giants . Coming off their divisional road win over the Seahawks , the Cardinals went home for a Week 12 duel with the defending Super Bowl champions , the New York Giants . In the first quarter , Arizona took fight as kicker Neil Rackers got a 34 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Giants responded with RB Derrick Ward getting a one - yard TD run . The Cardinals would regain the lead with rookie RB Tim Hightower getting a four - yard TD run ( with a failed extra - point attempt ) , yet New York answered with kicker John Carney getting a 33 - yard field goal . The Cardinals would reply with Rackers making a 20 - yard field goal , yet the Giants closed out the half with QB Eli Manning completing a 12 - yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer . In the third quarter , New York increased their lead as Manning completed a two - yard TD pass to FB Madison Hedgecock . Arizona would answer with Hightower getting a one - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , the Giants were starting to pull away as Manning completed a 10 - yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss , while Carney made a 27 - yard field goal . The Cardinals tried to keep pace as QB Kurt Warner completed a five - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin , yet New York replied with Carney ' s 33 - yard field goal . Arizona tried to come back as Rackers nailed a 44 - yard field goal , but their following onside kick failed , preserving the Giants ' win . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 7 – 4 . Week 13 : at Philadelphia Eagles . Hoping to rebound from their tough home loss to the Giants , the Cardinals flew to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 13 Thanksgiving battle with the Philadelphia Eagles . In the first quarter , Arizona trailed early as Eagles QB Donovan McNabb completed a five - yard TD pass to RB Brian Westbrook , while Westbrook got a one - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Cardinals continued to trail as McNabb hooked up with Westbrook again on a two - yard TD pass . The Cardinals would respond as QB Kurt Warner completed a one - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald . Philadelphia would close out the half with kicker David Akers making a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Arizona ' s struggles continued as Westbrook got a nine - yard TD run . The Cardinals would answer with Warner completed a six - yard TD pass to WR Steve Breaston ( with a failed two - point conversion . ) The Eagles would reply as Akers got a 41 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Cardinals tried to rally as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a seven - yard TD pass . However , Philadelphia replied with McNabb completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR DeSean Jackson , along with an eight - yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 7 – 5 . Week 14 : vs . St . Louis Rams . Arizona dominated St Louis to win the NFC West and clinch their first home playoff game since 1947 . Arizona took a 14 – 0 lead in the first quarter after a one - yard TD run by Tim Hightower and a Kurt Warner 12 - yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald . In the second quarter the Rams would score on a three - yard TD pass from Marc Bulger to Steven Jackson , following a Kurt Warner interception . The Cardinals would respond with two field goals from Neil Rackers from 44 and 22 yards to make the halftime score 20 – 7 . In the third quarter , Cardinals linebacker , Gerald Hayes , would force two Steven Jackson fumbles , the second one recovered by Darnell Dockett , who would return it 11 yards to the end zone for a touchdown . Down 27 – 7 , the Rams attempted to come back in the fourth quarter , starting with a Josh Brown 51 - yard field goal to make the score 27 – 10 , but a Bulger pass was intercepted by rookie cornerback , Dominique Rodgers - Cromartie , for 99 yards , for the touchdown that sealed the game and propelled the Cardinals to their first playoff game since 1998 , and their first division title since the days the Cardinals were in St . Louis in 1975 . With the win , the Cardinals record improved to 8 – 5 . Week 15 : vs . Minnesota Vikings . The Cardinals dueled with the Minnesota Vikings for the # 3 seed in the NFC playoffs . Things looked bleak for the Cardinals from the beginning . The Vikings began their first quarter attack with a 82 - yard punt return for a TD by Bernard Berrian . Two turnovers for the Cardinals , Kurt Warner interception and an Anquan Boldin fumble , would lead to two touchdown passes from Tarvaris Jackson , a 41 - yard pass to Berrian and a 19 - yard pass to Sidney Rice . The Vikings took a 28 – 0 lead at halftime after an 11 - yard TD pass from Jackson to Chester Taylor . The Cardinals would rally to cut the lead in half with a Jerheme Urban 50 - yard TD catch and a field goal blocked by Dominique Rodgers - Cromartie and recovered by Roderick Hood , who returned it 68 yards for a touchdown . The Vikings would pull away at the end of the third quarter when Jackson threw a 59 - yard TD pass to Bobby Wade . With the loss , the Cardinals dropped to 8 – 6 . Kurt Warner was benched on the Cardinals last drive in the fourth quarter via a coaching decision . Week 16 : at New England Patriots . Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Vikings , the Cardinals flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 16 interconference duel with the New England Patriots . Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Patriots running back LaMont Jordan got a one - yard and a three - yard touchdown run . The Cardinals ' east coast struggles continued in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Cassel completed a 15 - yard touchdown pass to running back Kevin Faulk and an 11 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker , followed by kicker Stephen Gostkowski ' s 38 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Arizona ' s deficit continued to climb as Cassel completed a 76 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Randy Moss , followed by Gostkowski ' s 35 - and 24 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , New England concluded its domination with Gostkowski ' s 30 - yard field goal . The Cardinals would then get a meaningless touchdown as quarterback Matt Leinart completed a 78 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald . With the loss , Arizona fell to 8 – 7 . Original starting quarterback Kurt Warner ( 6 / 18 for 30 yards ) was pulled in the third quarter via coach ' s decision . Week 17 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . Hoping to close out the regular season on a positive note , the Cardinals went home for a Week 17 NFC West rematch with the Seattle Seahawks . Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Seahawks running back T . J . Duckett got a one - yard touchdown run . The Cardinals would respond in the second quarter with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a 16 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerheme Urban and a five - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald . Seattle would tie the game at halftime with quarterback Seneca Wallace completing a 30 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch . Arizona would regain the lead in the third quarter as Warner completed a 38 - yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and a 14 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston . Seattle tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Wallace completed a two - yard touchdown pass to Branch , yet the Cardinals would close out the game with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 23 - and a 32 - yard field goal . With the win , the Cardinals closed out the regular season at 9 – 7 . Playoffs . The Cardinals sent a total of 5 players to the 2009 Pro Bowl . On offense , Kurt Warner was the starting quarterback , with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both at wide receiver . On defense , Adrian Wilson went as one of the conference ' s defensive back s . Sean Morey would be start on special teams . This is arguably the most successful season in modern Cardinals history . NFC Wild Card round : vs . Atlanta Falcons . Entering the playoffs at the NFC ' s fourth seed , the Cardinals began their playoff run at home against the # 5 Atlanta Falcons , in their first home playoff game since 1947 . Arizona got the early lead in the first quarter as quarterback Kurt Warner completed a 42 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald . The Falcons responded with kicker Jason Elam ' s 30 - yard field goal , yet the Cardinals struck right back as Warner completed a 71 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin . Boldin pulled his hamstring running down the sideline and did not return . Atlanta took the halftime lead with running back Michael Turner getting a seven - yard touchdown run , followed by quarterback Matt Ryan completing a two - yard touchdown pass to tight end Justin Peelle following a Kurt Warner interception . Arizona regained the lead in the third quarter as safety Antrel Rolle returned a Turner fumble 27 yards for a touchdown , while rookie running back Tim Hightower got a four - yard touchdown run . The Cardinals increased their lead in the fourth quarter as defensive end Antonio Smith sacked Ryan in his own endzone for a safety . The Falcons tried to come back as Ryan completed a five - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White , yet Arizona ' s offense drained any second that Atlanta needed to rally . The Cardinals ended any chance the Falcons had for a comeback when Kurt Warner hooked up with tight end Stephen Spach for 23 yards on a third and sixteen with 2 : 16 left in the game . With the win , the Cardinals improved their overall record to 10 – 7 . NFC Divisional Round : at Carolina Panthers . Coming off their wild card home win over the Falcons , the Cardinals flew to Bank of America Stadium for the NFC Divisional round against the # 2 Carolina Panthers , in a rematch of their Week 8 contest . The Panthers came in 8 – 0 at home and the Cardinals were 0 – 5 on the East Coast . Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart got a nine - yard touchdown run . The Cardinals would respond with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a three - yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower , followed by running back Edgerrin James ' four - yard touchdown run . In the second quarter , Arizona took control as kicker Neil Rackers got a 49 - yard and a 30 - yard field goal , followed by Warner ' s 29 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald . The Cardinals would add onto their lead in the third quarter as Rackers made a 33 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Arizona would end its dominating night with Rackers nailing a 20 - yard field goal . Carolina would end the game ' s scoring with quarterback Jake Delhomme ' s eight - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith ( with a failed two - point conversion . ) With this upset win , not only did the Cardinals improve their overall record to 11 – 7 , but they also advanced to their first NFC Championship Game in franchise history . Arizona ' s defense forced Delhomme into six turnovers ( five interceptions and one fumble ) , along with holding the Panthers ' running back duo of Williams and Stewart to 74 combined rushing yards . Fitzgerald ( 8 receptions and a touchdown ) would set a franchise postseason record with 166 receiving yards . Anquan Boldin did not play due to a hamstring injury , but Fitzgerald was able to make up the difference . With the win the Cardinals moved to 11 – 7 . Because the Eagles won the next day , Arizona hosted the NFC Championship Game . The Cardinals also won their first game on the East Coast this season . NFC Championship : vs . Philadelphia Eagles . Coming off their east - coast divisional road win over the Panthers , the Cardinals went home for the NFC Championship Game against the # 6 Philadelphia Eagles , who were coming off their victory over the # 1 New York Giants , in a rematch of their Thanksgiving game . Arizona capped off the game ' s opening kickoff with a nine - yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald . The Eagles responded with kicker David Akers making a 45 - yard field goal . With the score at 7 – 3 , Akers missed a 47 - yard field goal attempt , the first he missed in his last 20 attempts in the postseason , an NFL Record . The Cardinals answered in the second quarter as Warner hooked up with Fitzgerald again on a flea - flicker , Warner to Arrington , back to Warner , who threw it to Fitzgerald for a 62 - yard TD pass . Philadelphia struck back as Akers made a 33 - yard field goal , but Arizona closed out the half with Warner ' s one - yard touchdown pass to Fitzgerald and kicker Neil Rackers ' 49 - yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to make the score 24 – 6 . The Eagles began to rally in the third quarter as quarterback Donovan McNabb completed a six - yard and a 31 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Brent Celek with a failed PAT on the latter touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Philadelphia took the lead on 62 - yard touchdown pass from McNabb to rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson . The Eagles went for the two - point conversion , hoping for a three point lead , but failed , leaving the score 25 – 24 . However , the Cardinals regained the lead when Warner completed an eight - yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Tim Hightower and a successful two - point conversion pass by Warner to tight end Ben Patrick . The Arizona defense was able to prevent Philadelphia from making a comeback , as the Eagles drove to the Arizona 47 , but then McNabb threw four straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs . The Cardinals went three and out on the next possession , giving the Eagles only seven seconds in the game , but the Eagles were unable to score on a 93 - yard hook and ladder play after McNabb completed to Jackson , who attempted to lateral , but the lateral was picked off by defensive lineman Darnell Dockett . The Cardinals improved their overall record to 12 – 7 , and also won their first National Football Conference crown , allowing them to advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history . They became the first team since the 1979 Los Angeles Rams to finish the regular season with 9 wins and make it to the Super Bowl . Fitzgerald had a stellar performance with 152 yards and three of Arizona ' s four touchdowns and setting a new postseason record with 419 receiving yards , surpassing the prior record set by Jerry Rice in 1988 . Super Bowl XLIII : vs . Pittsburgh Steelers . Two weeks following their NFC Championship victory over the Eagles , the Cardinals flew to Raymond James Stadium for their Super Bowl XLIII duel with the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers . Arizona would trail early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed got an 18 - yard field goal . The Steelers would add onto their lead as running back Gary Russell got a one - yard touchdown run . The Cardinals would answer with quarterback Kurt Warner completing a one - yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Patrick . Arizona came close to scoring again nearing the end of the half , but Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown . The Steelers would increase their lead in the third quarter as Reed nailed a 21 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Cardinals would take the lead as Warner completed a one - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald , Steelers center Justin Hartwig being called for holding in his own endzone ( giving Arizona a safety ) , and Warner hooking up with Fitzgerald again on a 64 - yard touchdown pass . However , Pittsburgh responded with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a six - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes . The Cardinals tried to come back , but the Steelers ' defense forced a fumble to seal the win . With the loss , Arizona closed out their season with an overall record of 12 – 8 .