2016 Arizona Cardinals season
The 2016 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 97th in the National Football League, their 118th overall, their 29th in Arizona, their 11th at University of Phoenix Stadium and their fourth under head coach Bruce Arians.
2016 Arizona Cardinals season | |
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Head coach | Bruce Arians |
General manager | Steve Keim |
Owner | Bill Bidwill |
Home field | University of Phoenix Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 7–8–1 |
Division place | 2nd NFC West |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | |
AP All-Pros | 3
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Uniform | |
In free agency, they signed veteran defensive back Tyvon Branch and veteran lineman Evan Mathis, while re-signing several key players. They traded for Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots, sending Jonathan Cooper and a late second-round pick to New England.
The Cardinals came into the 2016 season with expectations of improving on their 2015 campaign and reaching the Super Bowl. However, after a 1–3 start, they suffered injuries to quarterback Carson Palmer and most of the offensive line. On October 23, the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks played out a 6–6 tie; this was the Cardinals' first tie since 1986 when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the lowest-scoring NFL tie since overtime was introduced in 1974. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15 after a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Despite winning their final two games, the Cardinals ended the season with a losing record at 7–8–1. Because the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, their first title in 108 years, the Cardinals also finished the season with the longest active championship drought in the four major American professional sports, with their last championship in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals.
Free agents
Position | Player | Tag | 2016 Team | Notes |
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WR | Jaron Brown | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
TE | Jermaine Gresham | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
TE | Darren Fells | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
TE | Ifeanyi Momah | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
QB | Drew Stanton | UFA | ARI | two-year deal |
RB | Chris Johnson | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
P | Drew Butler | UFA | ARI | two-year deal |
LS | Mike Leach | UFA | --- | retired |
G | Ted Larsen | UFA | CHI | one-year deal |
C | Lyle Sendlein | UFA | --- | retired |
T | Bobby Massie | UFA | CHI | three-year deal |
T | Kelvin Palmer | UFA | TB | one-year deal |
T | Bradley Sowell | UFA | SEA | one-year deal |
S | Tony Jefferson | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
S | D.J. Swearinger | RFA | ARI | one-year deal |
S | Rashad Johnson | UFA | TEN | one-year deal |
S | Chris Clemons | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
CB | Jerraud Powers | UFA | BAL | one-year deal |
CB | Corey White | UFA | BUF | one-year deal |
DE | Billy Winn | RFA | DEN | one-year deal |
ILB | Sean Weatherspoon | UFA | ATL | one-year deal |
ILB | Kenny Demens | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
OLB | LaMarr Woodley | UFA | TBA | |
OLB | Dwight Freeney | UFA | ATL | one-year deal |
DE | Josh Mauro | ERFA | ARI | one-year deal |
DE | Red Bryant | UFA | ARI | one-year deal |
Player re-signed by the Cardinals |
Draft
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 29 | Robert Nkemdiche | DE | Ole Miss |
3 | 92 | Brandon Williams | CB | Texas A&M |
4 | 128 | Evan Boehm | C | Missouri |
5 | 167 | Marqui Christian | S | Midwestern State |
5 | 170 | Cole Toner | OT | Harvard |
6 | 205 | Harlan Miller | CB | Southeastern Louisiana |
Notes
- The Cardinals traded their second-round selection (No. 61 overall) and guard Jonathan Cooper to the New England Patriots in exchange for defensive end Chandler Jones.
- The Cardinals traded a conditional seventh-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback Matt Barkley; the Eagles will only receive this selection if Barkley is on the Cardinals' roster for at least six games during the 2015 season.
- The Cardinals received a sixth-round compensatory pick (No. 170 overall) as the result of a negative differential of free agent signings and departures that the Cardinals experienced during the 2015 free agency period.
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Final roster
Preseason
The Cardinals preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 7, 2016, the opponents being the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos.
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
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1 | August 12 | Oakland Raiders | L 10–31 | 0–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
2 | August 19 | at San Diego Chargers | L 3–19 | 0–2 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 28 | at Houston Texans | L 24–34 | 0–3 | NRG Stadium | Recap |
4 | September 1 | Denver Broncos | W 38–17 | 1–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 11 | New England Patriots | L 21–23 | 0–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 18 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 40–7 | 1–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
3 | September 25 | at Buffalo Bills | L 18–33 | 1–2 | New Era Field | Recap |
4 | October 2 | Los Angeles Rams | L 13–17 | 1–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
5 | October 6 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 33–21 | 2–3 | Levi's Stadium | Recap |
6 | October 17 | New York Jets | W 28–3 | 3–3 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
7 | October 23 | Seattle Seahawks | T 6–6 (OT) | 3–3–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
8 | October 30 | at Carolina Panthers | L 20–30 | 3–4–1 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
9 | Bye | |||||
10 | November 13 | San Francisco 49ers | W 23–20 | 4–4–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
11 | November 20 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 24–30 | 4–5–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 27 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 19–38 | 4–6–1 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
13 | December 4 | Washington Redskins | W 31–23 | 5–6–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
14 | December 11 | at Miami Dolphins | L 23–26 | 5–7–1 | Hard Rock Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 18 | New Orleans Saints | L 41–48 | 5–8–1 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 24 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 34–31 | 6–8–1 | CenturyLink Field | Recap |
17 | January 1 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 44–6 | 7–8–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. New England Patriots
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots | 10 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: September 11
- Game time: 5:30 p.m.
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 64,864
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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With Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo starting, the Cardinals were huge favorites to win. The game was close, but was lost last minute, with a missed game-winning Cardinals field goal.
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Cardinals | 0 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 40 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: September 18
- Game time: 1:05 p.m.
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 64,230
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 3: at Buffalo Bills
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 18 |
Bills | 10 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 33 |
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
- Date: September 25
- Game time: 10:00 a.m.
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 68,647
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 2
- Game time: 1:25 p.m.
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 64,622
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 33 |
49ers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
- Date: October 6
- Game time: 5:25 p.m.
- Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), clear
- Game attendance: 70,178
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (CBS/NFLN/Twitter): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 6: vs. New York Jets
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Jets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 17
- Game time: 5:30 p.m.
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 64,709
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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This was the Cardinals' first win over the Jets since 1975, when the Cardinals were based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
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Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: October 23
- Game time: 5:30 p.m.
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 65,089
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Cardinals placekicker Chandler Catanzaro and Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka each miss game winning field goals as the game finishes in a 6-6 tie and the Cardinals earn their first tie since the 1986 season.
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
Panthers | 14 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 30 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 10:00 a.m.
- Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 74,088
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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In a rematch of the NFC championship, the Panthers led by as much as 24 points until Arizona ended the game by cutting the lead to 10.
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Cardinals | 7 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: November 13
- Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 65,127
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Vikings | 7 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 20
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (domed stadium)
- Game attendance: 66,808
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 7 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
Falcons | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 27
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,233
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 13: vs. Washington Redskins
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Redskins | 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 23 |
Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: December 4
- Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny - retractable roof open
- Game attendance: 64,939
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 6 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 26 |
Game information | ||
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This was the Cardinals' first loss to the Dolphins since 1999.
Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Saints | 10 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 48 |
Cardinals | 7 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information | ||
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With the close loss, the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 34 |
Seahawks | 0 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 31 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Game information | ||
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Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Cardinals | 3 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
Rams | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
- Date: January 1, 2017
- Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 80,729
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Despite losing running back David Johnson to a knee injury in the first quarter, Arizona still managed to blow out the Rams, 44-6 to finish the year at 7-8-1.
Standings
Division
NFC West | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(3) Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | 354 | 292 | W1 |
Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | 418 | 362 | W2 |
Los Angeles Rams | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | 224 | 394 | L7 |
San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 2–4 | 2–10 | 309 | 480 | L1 |
Conference
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .471 | .440 | L1 |
2 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .480 | .452 | W4 |
3 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .441 | .425 | W1 |
4 | Green Bay Packers | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .508 | .453 | W6 |
Wild Cards | |||||||||||
5 | New York Giants | East | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .486 | .455 | W1 |
6[lower-alpha 1] | Detroit Lions | North | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .475 | .392 | L3 |
Did not qualify for the playoffs | |||||||||||
7[lower-alpha 1] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .492 | .434 | W1 |
8 | Washington Redskins | East | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .516 | .430 | L1 |
9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .492 | .457 | W1 |
10 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | .463 | .366 | W2 |
11[lower-alpha 2] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .523 | .393 | L1 |
12[lower-alpha 2] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .559 | .518 | W2 |
13 | Carolina Panthers | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .518 | .354 | L2 |
14 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .504 | .500 | L7 |
15 | Chicago Bears | North | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .521 | .396 | L4 |
16 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .504 | .250 | L1 |
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 3] | |||||||||||
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