The 1988 Phoenix Cardinals season was the franchise's 69th season in the National Football League and the first season in Phoenix. The Cardinals would match their 7–8 record from 1987, but finished with one more loss, going 7–9, as 1987 was a one-game strike shortened season, and 1988 was a full 16 game season. The Cardinals move to Phoenix marked the first time an NFL team called a place in Arizona home.
Offseason
NFL draft
[1]
Undrafted free agents
Personnel
Staff
1988 Phoenix Cardinals staff
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Front office
- President – Bill Bidwill
- Vice president and general manager – Larry Wilson
- Director of pro personnel – Erik Widmark
- Director of player personnel – George Boone
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
- Special teams – Marv Braden
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and conditioning – LeBaron Caruthers
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Roster
Regular season
Schedule
| Week
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Date
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Opponent
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Result
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Record
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Venue
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Attendance
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Recap
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| 1
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September 4
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at Cincinnati Bengals
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L 14–21
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0–1
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Riverfront Stadium
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50,404
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Recap
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| 2
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Dallas Cowboys
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L 14–17
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0–2
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Sun Devil Stadium
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67,139
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Recap
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| 3
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September 18
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at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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W 30–24
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1–2
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Tampa Stadium
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35,034
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Recap
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| 4
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September 25
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Washington Redskins
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W 30–21
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2–2
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Sun Devil Stadium
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61,973
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Recap
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| 5
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October 2
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at Los Angeles Rams
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W 41–27
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3–2
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Anaheim Stadium
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49,830
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Recap
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| 6
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October 9
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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W 31–14
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4–2
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Sun Devils Stadium
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53,278
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Recap
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| 7
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October 16
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at Washington Redskins
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L 17–33
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4–3
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RFK Stadium
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54,402
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Recap
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| 8
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October 23
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Cleveland Browns
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L 21–29
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4–4
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Sun Devil Stadium
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61,261
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Recap
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| 9
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October 30
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at Dallas Cowboys
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W 16–10
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5–4
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Texas Stadium
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42,196
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Recap
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| 10
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November 6
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San Francisco 49ers
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W 24–23
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6–4
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Sun Devil Stadium
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64,544
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Recap
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| 11
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November 13
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New York Giants
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W 24–17
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7–4
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Sun Devil Stadium
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65,324
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Recap
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| 12
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November 20
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at Houston Oilers
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L 20–38
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7–5
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Houston Astrodome
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43,843
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Recap
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| 13
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November 27
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at Philadelphia Eagles
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L 21–31
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7–6
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Veterans Stadium
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57,918
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Recap
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| 14
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December 4
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at New York Giants
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L 7–44
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7–7
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Giants Stadium
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73,438
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Recap
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| 15
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Philadelphia Eagles
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L 17–23
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7–8
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Sun Devil Stadium
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54,832
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Recap
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| 16
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December 18
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Green Bay Packers
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L 17–26
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7–9
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Sun Devil Stadium
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44,586
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Recap
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| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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Standings
Game summaries
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 1: Phoenix Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: September 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 50,404
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- PHO – Roy Green 29-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 14–7.
- CIN – Eddie Brown 61-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Jim Breech kick). Tied 14–14.
Fourth quarter
- CIN – Eddie Brown 61-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Jim Breech kick). Bengals 21–14.
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Top passers
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 21/31, 227 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- CIN – Boomer Esiason – 17/26, 271 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 22 rushes, 110 yards
- CIN – James Brooks – 9 rushes, 75 yards
Top receivers
- PHO – J. T. Smith – 7 receptions, 98 yards
- CIN – Eddie Brown – 6 receptions, 143 yards, TD
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Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- DAL – Steve Pelluer 1-yard run (Luis Zendejas kick), 5:23. Cowboys 17–7.
- PHO – Jay Novacek 23-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick), 3:52. Cowboys 17–14.
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Top passers
- DAL – Steve Pelluer – 12/24, 162 yards, INT
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 20/34, 266 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
- DAL – Herschel Walker – 29 rushes, 149 yards, TD
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 11 rushes, 65 yards
Top receivers
- DAL – Kelvin Martin – 5 receptions, 72 yards
- PHO – Jay Novacek – 4 receptions, 178 yards, TD
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Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 3: Phoenix Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: September 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 35,034
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
- PHO – Stump Mitchell 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 10–0.
- PHO – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
- TB – Bruce Hill 23-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Donald Igwebuike kick). Cardinals 20–10.
- PHO – Al Del Greco 23-yard field goal. Cardinals 23–10.
Fourth quarter
- TB – James Wilder 5-yard run (Donald Igwebuike kick). Cardinals 23–17.
- TB – Lars Tate 47-yard run (Donald Igwebuike kick). Buccaneers 24–23.
- PHO – Jay Novacek 42-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–23.
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Top passers
- PHO – Cliff Stoudt – 9/19, 149 yards, TD
- TB – Vinny Testaverde – 16/28, 211 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 18 rushes, 110 yards, TD
- TB – Lars Tate – 4 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Top receivers
- PHO – J. T. Smith – 6 receptions, 103 yards
- TB – Bruce Hill – 4 receptions, 80 yards, TD
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Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 4: Washington Redskins at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: September 25
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 61,973
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- PHO – Tony Jordan 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 16–14.
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Roy Green 27-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 23–14.
- DAL – Anthony Allen 2-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Cardinals 23-21.
- PHO – Cedric Mack 45-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 30–21.
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Top passers
- WAS – Mark Rypien – 26/41, 303 yards, 3 TD, INT
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 8/17, 159 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- WAS – Art Monk – 6 receptions, 92 yards, TD
- PHO – Roy Green – 2 receptions, 79 yards, TD
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Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- LA – Greg Bell 34-yard 5-yard run (Mike Lansford kick). Rams 14–10.
- PHO – Jay Novacek 8-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 17–14.
- PHO – Rod Saddler 16-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–14.
Third quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–14.
- LA – Damone Johnson 9-yard pass from Jim Everett (kick failed). Cardinals 27–20.
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Earl Ferrell 7-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 34–20.
- PHO – Stump Mitchell 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 41–20.
- LA – Greg Bell 1-yard run (Mike Lansford kick). Cardinals 41–27.
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Top passers
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 28/43, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT
- LA – Jim Everett – 25/33, 300 yards, TD
Top rushers
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 16 rushes, 97 yards, TD
- LA – Greg Bell – 18 rushes, 82 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
- PHO – Jay Novacek – 9 receptions, 92 yards, TD
- LA – Henry Ellard – 6 receptions, 96 yards
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Week 6: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: October 9
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 53,278
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goak. Cardinals 10–7.
- PHO – Tony Jordan 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 17–7.
- PHO – J. T. Smith 3-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–7.
Third quarter
- PHO – J. T. Smith 13-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 31–7.
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- PIT – Todd Blackledge – 8/20, 114 yards
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 17/26, 291 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
- PIT – Merril Hoge – 5 rushes, 34 yards
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 17 rushes, 39 yards
Top receivers
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Week 7: at Washington Redskins
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 38-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–9.
- WAS – Gary Clark 19-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 16–10.
- WAS – Art Monk 46-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 23–10.
Third quarter
- WAS – Gary Clark 60-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 30–10.
Fourth quarter
- WAS – Chip Lohmiller 20-yard field goal. Redskins 33–10.
- PHO – Jay Novacek 41-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Redskins 33–17.
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Top passers
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 26/44, 332 yards, 2 TD, INT
- WAS – Mark Rypien – 15/27, 303 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- PHO – Roy Green – 5 receptions, 85 yards, TD
- WAS – Art Monk – 4 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TD
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Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 8: Cleveland Browns at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: October 23
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 61,261
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- CLE – Matt Bahr 23-yard field goal. Browns 20–14.
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Robert Awalt 21-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 21–20.
- CLE – Reggie Langhorne 25-yard pass from Bernie Kosar (Matt Bahr kick). Browns 27–21.
- CLE – Team safety. Browns 29-21.
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Top passers
- CLE – Bernie Kosar – 25/43, 314 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 11/19, 120 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
- CLE – Tim Manoa – 15 rushes, 65 yards
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 18 rushes, 110 yards, TD
Top receivers
- CLE – Reggie Langhorne – 5 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TD
- PHO – Roy Green – 5 receptions, 69 yards
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Week 9: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 9: Phoenix Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 42,196
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Earl Ferrell 14-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 10–10.
- PHO – Earl Ferrell 1-yard run (kick failed). Cardinals 16–10.
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Top passers
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 13/32, 175 yards, TD
- DAL – Steve Pelluer – 9/31, 132 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 19 rushes, 110 yards, TD
- DAL – Herschel Walker – 17 rushes, 87 yards
Top receivers
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 4 receptions, 51 yards, TD
- DAL – Ray Alexander – 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD
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Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: November 6
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,544
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- SF – Roger Craig 3-yard run (Mike Cofer kick). 49ers 10–0.
- SF – Mike Cofer 27-yard field goal. 49ers 13–0.
- SF – Mike Cofer 30-yard field goal. 49ers 16–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 24-yard field goal. 49ers 23–10.
- PHO – Ernie Jones 5-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). 49ers 23–17.
- PHO – Roy Green 9-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–23.
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Top passers
- SF – Steve Young – 14/27, 145 yards, TD
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 25/41, 323 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
- SF – Roger Craig – 26 rushes, 162 yards, TD
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 12 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
- SF – Tom Rathman – 4 receptions, 45 yards
- PHO – Roy Green – 6 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD
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Week 11: vs. New York Giants
Week 11: New York Giants at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: November 13
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,324
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Roy Green 44-yard pass from Neil Lomax (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 21–7.
- NYG – Ottis Anderson 1-yard run (Paul McFadden kick). Cardinals 21–14.
- PHO – Al Del Greco 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 24–14.
- NYG – Paul McFadden 40-yard field goal. Cardinals 24–17.
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Top passers
- NYG – Phil Simms – 20/45, 195 yards, TD
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 23/35, 353 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- NYG – George Adams – 7 receptions, 47 yards
- PHO – Roy Green – 9 receptions, 176 yards, TD
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Week 12: at Houston Oilers
Week 12: Phoenix Cardinals at Houston Oilers – Game summary
at Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas
- Date: November 20
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
- Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 43,843
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- HOU – Tony Zendejas 37-yard field goal. Oilers 10–0.
- HOU – Drew Hill 50-yard pass from Warren Moon (Tony Zendejas kick). Oilers 17–0.
- PHO – Robert Awalt 52-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 17–7.
- HOU – Warren Moon 1-yard run (Tony Zendejas kick). Oilers 24–7.
Third quarter
- PHO – J. T. Smith 4-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–14.
- HOU – Ernest Givens 30-yard pass from Warren Moon (Tony Zendejas kick). Oilers 31–14.
Fourth quarter
- HOU – Ernest Givens 13-yard pass from Warren Moon (Tony Zendejas kick). Oilers 38–14.
- PHO – Ernie Jones 14-yard pass from Cliff Stoudt (kick failed). Oilers 38–20.
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Top passers
- PHO – Cliff Stoudt – 19/29, 249 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
- HOU – Warren Moon – 17/31, 266 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 5 rushes, 34 yards
- HOU – Alonzo Highsmith – 10 rushes, 38 yards, TD
Top receivers
- PHO – J. T. Smith – 10 receptions, 114 yards, TD
- HOU – Ernest Givens – 5 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD
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Week 13: at Philadelphia Eagles
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- PHO – Earl Ferrell 17-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 14–7
Third quarter
- PHI – Luis Zendejas 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–10.'
- PHI – Cris Carter 8-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Luis Zendejas kick). Eagles 17–14.
- PHI – Ron Johnson 9-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Luis Zendejas kick). Eagles 24–14.
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Earl Ferrell 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Eagles 24–21.
- PHI – Keith Byars 4-yard run (Luis Zendejas kick). Eagles 31–21.
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Top passers
- PHO – Cliff Stoudt – 24/43, 228 yards, TD, 4 INT
- PHI – Randall Cunningham – 17/35, 214 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
- PHO – Earl Ferrell – 18 rushes, 94 yards, 2 TD
- PHI – Keith Byars – 9 rushes, 42 yards, TD
Top receivers
- PHO – J. T. Smith – 9 receptions, 90 yards, TD
- PHI – Cris Carter – 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD
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Week 14: at New York Giants
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- NYG – Ottis Anderson 1-yard run (Paul McFadden kick). Giants 31–7.
- NYG – Joe Morris 4-yard run (Paul McFadden kick). Giants 38–7.
- NYG – Ottis Anderson 1-yard run (kick failed). Giants 44–7.
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Top passers
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 9/25, 103 yards, 2 INT
- NYG – Phil Simms – 11/20, 149 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 8 rushes, 45 yards
- NYG – Joe Morris – 32 rushes, 122 yards, TD
Top receivers
- PHO – Ernie Jones – 1 reception, 45 yards
- NYG – Stacy Robinson – 3 receptions, 48 yards, 2 TD
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Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 15: Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: December 10
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 54,832
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- PHO – E.J. Junior 36-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Eagles 21–14
Fourth quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 40-yard field goal. Eagles 21–17.
- PHI – Team safety. Eagles 23–17.
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Top passers
- PHI – Randall Cunningham – 10/26, 169 yards, TD, INT
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 29/50, 384 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
- PHI – Keith Byars – 12 rushes, 86 yards, TD
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 11 rushes, 24 yards
Top receivers
- PHI – Keith Byars – 5 receptions, 54 yards
- PHO – Ernie Jones – 6 receptions, 166 yards, TD
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Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 16: Green Bay Packers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: December 18
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 44,586
- Box Score
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- PHO – Al Del Greco 20-yard field goal. Packers 13–10.
- PHO – Stump Mitchell 12-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 17–13.
- GB – Larry Mason 10-yard pass from Don Majkowski (Curtis Burrow kick). Packers 20–17
Third quarter
- GB – Clint Didier 2-yard pass from Don Majkowski (kick failed). Packers 26–17
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- GB – Don Majkowski – 18/36, 255 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- PHO – Neil Lomax – 15/33, 172 yards
Top rushers
- GB – Larry Mason – 18 rushes, 57 yards
- PHO – Stump Mitchell – 12 rushes, 75 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
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References
External links
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| Franchise | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Culture | |
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| Lore | |
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| Rivalries | |
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| Division championships (7) | |
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| Conference championships (1) | |
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| League championships (2) | |
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| Retired numbers | |
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| Current league affiliations | |
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Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993) |
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