2006 Arizona Cardinals season The 2006 Arizona Cardinals season began with the team trying to improve on their 5 - 11 record in 2005 . They also moved into the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale , Arizona ( one of the western suburbs of Phoenix ) . The stadium was christened University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26 . Despite a somewhat promising start , the team suffered a few setbacks , including key losses to the Dallas Cowboys and the eventual NFC Champion Chicago Bears , and ended the season ( again ) at a disappointing 5 - 11 record . Head coach Dennis Green was fired after the season , replaced by Ken Whisenhunt . Offseason . On March 12 , 2006 , the Cardinals acquired former Colts RB Edgerrin James through free agency , by signing him to a four - year , $ 30 million contract . The Cardinals then selected the 2004 Heisman Trophy - winning quarterback Matt Leinart with the 10th pick of the 2006 NFL Draft . Leinart played for the University of Southern California and won 1½ national championships with the team in 2003 and 2004 . Leinart missed the first two weeks of the 2006 Cardinals training camp ( and the opening game of the preseason ) due to prolonged contract negotiations , but on August 15 , the Arizona Republic , KTAR radio and ESPN reported that Leinart agreed to a six - year contract that could earn him a maximum of $ 51 million , according to his agent , Tom Condon . The contract reportedly contains $ 14 million in guaranteed money , and likely involves " escalator " clauses that could increase Leinart ' s salary in the later years of the deal should he meet certain playing - time incentives . Also in the 2006 draft , the Cardinals would select another USC alum , Guard Taitusi " Deuce " Latui in the 3rd round , followed by Georgia TE Leonard Pope , Michigan DT Gabriel Watson , Louisville LB Brandon Johnson , Virginia Tech DT Jonathan Lewis , and Brigham Young WR Todd Watkins . This as well as the dynamic duo that is Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald at WR could ( eventually ) make the Cardinals a serious threat in the NFC West . Standings . m Regular season . The Cardinals ' Ring of Honor was started in 2006 to mark the opening of University of Phoenix Stadium . It honors former Cardinal greats from all eras of the franchise ' s history . Following is a list of inductees and the dates that they were inducted . Week 1 : vs . San Francisco 49ers . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " The Cardinals opened the regular season at home against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10 . This game would be the inaugural regular season game played at the University of Phoenix Stadium . In the first quarter , Niners QB Alex Smith and TE Vernon Davis scored the inaugural regular season TD in the new Stadium as they connected on a 31 - yard pass . Fortunately , the Cardinals would respond , as QB Kurt Warner threw the very first TD pass by a Cardinals player in the new stadium on a 2 - yard strike to WR Troy Walters . Newly - acquired RB Edgerrin James provided the very first rushing touchdown in their new stadium as he ran the ball into the end zone on a 1 - yard strike . Afterwards , Warner threw another TD pass , this time to WR Anquan Boldin . In the second quarter , Niners RB Frank Gore helped San Francisco get closer as he ran on a 4 - yard TD play . Kicker Neil Rackers helped improve the Cardinals ' lead , as he kicked a 36 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , both sides each got a touchdown . S . F . ' s Gore scored on a 2 - yard run , while Arizona ' s Warner threw a 7 - yard TD to TE Adam Bergen . In the fourth quarter , it was all field goals to end the game , as Niners kicker Joe Nedney kicked a 22 - yard field goal . Then , Rackers helped Arizona on a 30 - yard field goal . Even though Nedney would kick one more field goal for San Francisco ( a 44 - yard field goal ) , the Cardinals were able to barely escape with the win and a 1 - 0 start . Week 2 : at Seattle Seahawks . " at Qwest Field , Seattle , Washington " For Week 2 , the Cardinals flew to the Northwest to take on the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks . From the get - go , the Cardinals trailed , as the opposing RB Shaun Alexander to score a TD on a 2 - yard run . Then , Arizona allowed opposing QB Matt Hasselbeck to complete a 49 - yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson . There wouldn ' t be anymore scoring by either team for the remainder of the half . In the third quarter , the Cardinals finally got on the border with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 43 - yard field goal . However , Seattle managed to put the game away with FB Mack Strong ' s 3 - yard TD run . The Cardinals would get a TD , with QB Kurt Warner completing a 40 - yard pass to WR Bryant Johnson , but in the end , the Seahawks were the better team in this fight and made the Cardinals move to 1 - 1 . Week 3 : vs . St . Louis Rams . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " The Cardinals returned home to face their third NFC West opponent , the St . Louis Rams . QB Kurt Warner drew first blood against his former team , as completed a 12 - yard TD strike to WR Larry Fitzgerald for the only score of the first quarter . However , in the second quarter , it was all St . Louis . Kicker Jeff Wilkins got a 26 - yard field goal , QB Marc Bulger completed a 9 - yard pass to WR Torry Holt , and Wilkens got a 47 - yard field goal as time ran out on the first half . In the third quarter , Wilkens helped the Rams increase their lead with a 21 - yard field , which would be the only score of the third quarter . In the fourth quarter , even a valiant effort for a comeback , the only score that Arizona could muster was a 6 - yard TD run by RB Edgerrin James . After a Bulger fumble deep in St . Louis territory while trying to run out the clock set up the Cardinals for an easy chip - shot field goal to win , Warner fumbled a snap and St . Louis recovered to seal the victory . Adding to the fact that Warner had 3 interceptions during the game , the Cardinals would get their very first loss in their new stadium as they fell to 1 - 2 . A few days after the game , ESPN reported that rookie QB Matt Leinart would be starting the next game . The next day , Arizona ' s head coach announced that the club would be sticking with the veteran Warner . Week 4 : at Atlanta Falcons . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " Hoping to recover from a two - game skid , the Cardinals flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 4 match - up with the Atlanta Falcons . From the get - go , the Cardinals trailed , as Falcons kicker Morten Andersen completed a 34 - yard and a 40 - yard field goal in the opening period . The Cardinals would respond with a 29 - yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers . In the second quarter , Arizona continued to trail , as Koenan belted a 51 - yard field goal for Atlanta . The Cardinals would strike back with SS Adrian Wilson returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown , but that would be the only time that the Cardinals saw the lead , as Andersen got a 36 - yard field goal to give the Falcons the lead at halftime . In the second half , the Cardinals got shot down and shut - out , as Atlanta scored 20 unanswered points ( Andersen ' s 26 - yard field goal , CB DeAngelo Hall ' s 37 - yard interception return in the third quarter , rookie RB Jerious Norwood ' s 78 - yard TD run & Andersen ' s 28 - yard field goal in the fourth quarter ) . Not even QB Matt Leinart , who replaced QB Kurt Warner in the fourth quarter , could save Arizona from dropping three - straight games , as the Cardinals fell to 1 - 3 . The game showed just how much the Cardinals must improve their offensive line , as they were whipped for the whole game by the Falcons defensive line . Week 5 : vs . Kansas City Chiefs . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " The Cardinals hosted a close contest with the Kansas City Chiefs . The game was the first at the newly - christened University of Phoenix Stadium , which signed its naming rights deal with the Cardinals two days after Arizona ' s last home game vs . St . Louis . The Cards started off hot as Matt Leinart , making his first NFL start , threw two touchdowns in the first quarter to his two top targets , Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald . The Chiefs responded early in the second quarter with a 45 - yard field goal by kicker Lawrence Tynes , and a touchdown pass from quarterback Damon Huard to running back Larry Johnson . Cards kicker Neil Rackers added a 41 - yard field at the end of the first half . Another Rackers field goal , this time from 45 yards , accounted for the only score in the third quarter . The Chiefs then scored 13 unanswered points to win the game , with a touchdown pass from Huard to Samie Parker , and two field goals by Tynes ( 40 , 19 ) . Tynes ' last field goal was set up by a 78 - yard screen pass from Huard to Johnson . Johnson suffered a sprained neck at the end of the play on a violent face mask tackle by Cards ' cornerback Antrel Rolle , who was fined $ 12 , 500 for the penalty . A last second 51 - yard field goal attempt by Rackers to send the game to overtime failed , giving the Cards their fourth straight loss . During the game Larry Fitzgerald pulled a hamstring and missed 3 games , returning Week 10 against Dallas . Week 6 : vs . Chicago Bears . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " The Cards lost their fifth straight game to the undefeated Chicago Bears on " Monday Night Football " . The Cards came out smoking early as QB Matt Leinart for the second straight week threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter , connecting with WR ' s Bryant Johnson and Anquan Boldin . Cards K Neil Rackers converted field goals of 41 and 28 yards respectively to give the Cards a seemingly insurmountable 20 - 0 halftime lead . The Cards held Bears QB Rex Grossman in check , forcing him into six turnovers ( four interceptions and two fumbles ) . Bears K Robbie Gould drilled a 23 yard field goal midway through the third quarter for the Bears only offensive points of the night . Cards K Rackers responded with a 29 yard field goal of his own to extend the lead to 23 - 3 . The Bears went on to score 21 unanswered points on defense and special teams , two fumble recoveries by Mike Brown and Charles Tillman respectively , and an 82 yard punt return touchdown by rookie Devin Hester . Cards K Rackers was set up to win the game with a 40 yard field goal in the waning minutes , but the kick sailed wide left and they dropped to 1 - 5 on the season . The loss marked the first time in history that a team blew a 20 - point lead to an opponent who did not score any offensive touchdowns . At the post - game press conference , coach Dennis Green erupted at reporters . " The Bears are who we thought they were ! That ' s why we took the damn field ! Now , if you want to crown them , then crown their ass ! But they are who we thought they were , and we let them off the hook ! " He then smacked the microphone before storming out of the room . The clip quickly became a highlight of sports shows and popular online . ( An edited version of the clip is being used in current Coors Light advertisements ) . Week 7 : at Oakland Raiders . " at McAfee Coliseum , Oakland , California " Hoping to end their horrendous five - game skid , the Cardinals traveled to McAfee Coliseum to face the Oakland Raiders . The Raiders came into the game at 0 - 5 , the only winless team in the NFL . This would be the Cardinals ' first game under new offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek , who replaced the fired Keith Rowen in the wake of Arizona ' s meltdown in the fourth quarter of the game against Chicago . Arizona has visited Oakland only once before . The Cardinals won 34 - 31 on an overtime field goal by Bill Gramatica on December 2 , 2001 . The Raiders won the last meeting with the Cardinals , 41 - 20 at Sun Devil Stadium on November 24 , 2002 . In the first quarter , the Cards string of bad luck continued to haunt them , as Raiders RB ReShard Lee got a 1 - yard TD run , while QB Andrew Walter threw a 32 - yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss . In the second quarter , both teams swapped field goals . Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski got a 31 - yard field goal , while Arizona kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 29 - yard try . In the third quarter , the Raiders continued to pour on the points , as Janikowski got a 35 - yard field goal , while Defensive Tackle Terdell Sands tackles Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp at the goal line for a safety . The only response Arizona could bring up was Rackers kicking a 45 - yard field goal . He would kick one more in the fourth quarter ( 38 - yarder ) , but that would be all that the Cardinals could produce as they now dropped six - straight games . Week 8 : at Green Bay Packers . " at Lambeau Field , Green Bay , Wisconsin " The Cards visit Lambeau Field in Green Bay , Wisconsin to take on the Packers . Arizona has not visited Lambeau Field since a 49 - 24 loss in the final game of the 1999 season on January 2 , 2000 . The Cardinals defeated the Packers 20 - 13 in the last meeting between the teams on September 21 , 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium . Unfortnately , their 2003 victory stayed as a memory , as the Cardinals dropped their seventh - straight game , heading into their Bye Week 1 - 7 . In the wake of this loss , concern for the remainder of the once - promising season was so strong , DE Bertrand Berry led a players - only meeting at the Cardinals HQ in Tempe on November 7 . Some days earlier , Berry openly questioned his teammates ' commitment to success during an interview on a local radio program . Week 10 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " Coming off their Bye Week , the Cardinals went home for a Week 10 fight with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , Arizona trailed early as kicker Mike Vanderjagt nailed a 28 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Cardinals ' year - long struggles continued as QB Tony Romo completed a 30 - yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton . The Cards would respond with a 28 - yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers . Afterwards , Vanderjagt gave the Cowboys some breathing room with a 38 - yard field goal as time ran out on the half . In the third quarter , things continued to get worse for Arizona as Romo completed a 51 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Dallas would wrap up the game with RB Marion Barber ' s 5 - yard TD run . The Cardinals would get a touchdown as QB Matt Leinart got a 3 - yard TD run . However , the Cards would drop their eighth - straight game . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 1 - 8 . Week 11 : vs . Detroit Lions . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " Trying to end their eight - game skid , the Cardinals stayed at home for a Week 11 fight with the Detroit Lions . After a scoreless first quarter , the Cards struck first in the second quarter with QB Matt Leinart completing a 2 - yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson . Afterwards , kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 36 - yard field goal for Arizona . In the third quarter , Leinart would get a 9 - yard TD run and give the Cardinals a 17 - 0 lead . However , the Lions started to creep back into the game . It started with kicker Jason Hanson ' s 32 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Detroit started to threaten Arizona ' s lead as RB Arlen Harris got a 1 - yard TD run . Fortunately , the Cards defense held up for the win . Not only did the Cardinals improve to 2 - 8 , but they also snapped their eight - game losing streak . Week 12 : at Minnesota Vikings . " at Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome , Minneapolis , Minnesota " Coming off of their home win over the Lions , the Cardinals flew to the Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome for a Week 12 fight with the Minnesota Vikings . This game was noted for the return of head coach Green to Minnesota where he coached from 1992 to 2001 . On the very first play of the first quarter , RB J . J . Arrington returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown . The Vikings would respond with RB Chester Taylor ' s 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Cards kicker Neil Rackers gave Arizona a 21 - yard and a 50 - yard field goal for a decent lead . However , the Vikes took the lead with QB Brad Johnson ' s 17 - yard TD pass to WR Marcus Robinson . In the third quarter , more of the Cardinals ' year - long ineffectiveness showed as Johnson completed a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Billy McMullen , while kicker Ryan Longwell nailed a 40 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota improved its lead on Johnson ' s 3 - yard TD pass to FB Jeff Dugan . Afterwards , Arizona tried to fight back as Strong Safety Adrian Wilson returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown , yet it was followed up by a failed two - point conversion . Afterwards , QB Matt Leinart completed a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin . Afterwards , the Vikings wrapped up the game and won . With the loss , the Cardinals fell to 2 - 9 . Week 13 : at St . Louis Rams . " at the Edward Jones Dome , St . Louis , Missouri " The Cards visited the Edward Jones Dome in St . Louis ( the team ' s former home ) to take on the Rams . The Cardinals won by a score of 34 - 20 . QB Matt Leinart was 15 - for - 24 for 186 yards and one touchdown ; RB Edgerrin James ' had his 50th career 100 - yard rushing game , and RB Marcel Shipp scored three touchdowns . The Cardinals moved up to 3 - 9 and they finally managed to acquire their very first road win of the season . Week 14 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " Coming of their road win over the Rams , the Cardinals went home for an NFC West rematch with the Seattle Seahawks . In the first quarter , the Cards drew first blood with QB Matt Leinart completing a 56 - yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson , while RB Edgerrin James ( who ran for 115 yards on the day ) got a 7 - yard TD run . The Seahawks would respond with QB Matt Hasselbeck ' s 23 - yard TD pass to WR D . J . Hackett . In the second quarter , the Big Red increased its lead with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 32 - yard field goal , yet Seattle responded with Hasselbeck ' s 5 - yard TD pass to WR Nate Burleson . In the third quarter , Arizona temporarily lost the lead as Hasselbeck completed a 2 - yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson for the only score of the period . Fortunately , in the fourth quarter , Arizona reclaimed the lead and won with Leinart ' s 5 - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald and Rackers ' 40 - yard field goal . With the upset win , the Cardinals improved to 4 - 9 . Week 15 : vs . Denver Broncos . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " Trying to snap a four - game losing skid , the Broncos flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 15 interconference fight with the Arizona Cardinals . The last time these two teams met each other , Denver won 37 - 7 at Invesco Field at Mile High on December 29 , 2002 . This time , it was a battle of rookie quarterbacks as Matt Leinart went up against Jay Cutler . In the first quarter , the Cardinals trailed early as Cutler completed a 54 - yard TD pass to WR Javon Walker and kicker Jason Elam nailed a 30 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Arizona trailed even further with Elam ' s 22 - yard field goal . The Cardinals would finally score as kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 49 - yard field goal and DE Antonio Smith returned a fumble 4 yards for a touchdown . However , Denver managed to get one last field goal before halftime as Elam kicked a 30 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , more struggles continued as Cutler completed a 10 - yard TD pass to WR Rod Smith . Arizona would respond with Rackers kicking a 38 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Broncos continued their pounding on the Cards with RB Mike Bell ' s 1 - yard TD run . Even though the Cardinals got a 4 - yard TD run by RB Edgerrin James , Denver wrapped up Cutler ' s first NFL win with another 1 - yard TD run by Mike Bell . With their fifth - straighth loss , Arizona fell to 4 - 10 . Week 16 : at San Francisco 49ers . " at Candlestick Park , San Francisco , California " Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Broncos , the Cardinals flew to Monster Park for an NFC West rematch with the San Francisco 49ers . In the first quarter , the 49ers struck first with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 49 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Cards took the lead with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 25 - yard field goal and RB Marcel Shipp getting a 5 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Arizona increased its lead with rookie QB Matt Leinart completing a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald , while Rackers kicked a 39 - yard field goal . Afterwards , San Francisco responded with Nedney kicking a 32 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the 49ers started to retaliate with RB Frank Gore getting a 2 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , the Cards increased its lead with Rackers kicking a 37 - yard and a 32 - yard field goal . Even though the Niners would get another score as Gore managed to get a 1 - yard TD run , Arizona held on to sweep San Francisco . With the win , the Cardinals improved to 5 - 10 . Week 17 : at San Diego Chargers . " at Qualcomm Stadium , San Diego , California " Trying to end their lackluster season on a high note , the Cardinals played their last game of the year at Qualcomm Stadium against the playoff - bound San Diego Chargers . In the first quarter , Arizona struck first with RB Edgerrin James getting an 8 - yard TD run , yet the Chargers managed to get a 47 - yard field goal from kicker Nate Kaeding . In the second quarter , the Cards ' year - long ineffectiveness continued to show as QB Philip Rivers completed a 33 - yard TD pass to TE Antonio Gates and a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson . In the third quarter , San Diego wrapped up the game with LB Tim Dobbins recovering a fumble the Cardinals ' endzone for a touchdown , while Kaeding kicked a 35 - yard field goal . Afterwards , Arizona tried to make a comeback and it started with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 28 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Cards continued with their attempt at a comeback as QB Kurt Warner completed a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald and a 20 - yard field goal by Rackers . However , their comeback fell short . With the loss , the Cardinals ended their season at 5 - 11 .