NFL team season
The 1997 Arizona Cardinals season National Football League and the 10th in Arizona . The team was unable to match their previous output of 7–9, instead winning only four games.[1]
In week 2, the Cardinals ended a 13-game losing streak to the Dallas Cowboys .
Offseason [ edit ] NFL Draft [ edit ] Undrafted free agents [ edit ]
1997 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player
Position
College
Michael Comer
Linebacker
UTEP
Personnel [ edit ]
1997 Arizona Cardinals staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Special teams – Al Everest Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
[2]
1997 Arizona Cardinals final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
52 active, 6 inactive, 3 practice squad
Rookies in italics
Regular season [ edit ] Schedule [ edit ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
August 31
at Cincinnati Bengals
L 21–24
0–1
Cinergy Field
50,298
2
September 7
Dallas Cowboys W 25–22 (OT)
1–1
Sun Devil Stadium
71,578
3
September 14
at Washington Redskins
L 13–19
1–2
Jack Kent Cooke Stadium
78,270
4
Bye
5
September 28
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
L 18–19
1–3
Houlihan's Stadium
53,804
6
October 5
Minnesota Vikings
L 19–20
1–4
Sun Devil Stadium
45,550
7
October 12
New York Giants L 13–27
1–5
Sun Devil Stadium
38,959
8
October 19
at Philadelphia Eagles
L 10–13
1–6
Veterans Stadium
66,860
9
October 26
Tennessee Oilers
L 14–41
1–7
Sun Devil Stadium
44,030
10
November 2
Philadelphia Eagles W 31–21
2–7
Sun Devil Stadium
39,549
11
November 9
at Dallas Cowboys
L 6–24
2–8
Texas Stadium
64,302
12
November 16
at New York Giants
L 10–19
2–9
Giants Stadium
68,316
13
November 23
at Baltimore Ravens
W 16–13
3–9
Memorial Stadium
53,976
14
November 30
Pittsburgh Steelers
L 20–26
3–10
Sun Devil Stadium
66,341
15
December 7
Washington Redskins L 28–38
3–11
Sun Devil Stadium
41,537
16
December 14
at New Orleans Saints
L 10–27
3–12
Louisiana Superdome
45,517
17
December 21
Atlanta Falcons
W 29–26
4–12
Sun Devil Stadium
32,003
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries [ edit ] Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals [ edit ]
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
7
7 0 21
Bengals 0
3
0 21 24
at Cinergy Field , Cincinnati, Ohio
Date : August 31Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 53,644Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 38-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.
ARI – Cedric Smith 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 14–3. Third quarter
ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 21–3. Fourth quarter
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Cardinals 21–10.
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Cardinals 21–17.
CIN – Carl Pickens 7-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 24–21.
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 20/36, 248 yards, INT
CIN – Jeff Blake – 24/35, 252 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 17 rushes, 52 yards, TD
CIN – Ki-Jana Carter – 19 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 105 yards
CIN – Carl Pickens – 8 receptions, 79 yards, TD
Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys [ edit ]
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cowboys
6
13
3 0 0 22
Cardinals 0
7
7 8 3 25
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Date : September 7Game time : 6:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 89 °F (32 °C)Game attendance : 71,578Box Score
Game information
First quarter
DAL – Richie Cunningham 24-yard field goal. Cowboys 3–0.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 47-yard field goal. Cowboys 6–0. Second quarter
ARI – Leeland McElroy 10-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Cardinals 7–6.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 37-yard field goal. Cowboys 9–7.
DAL – Chad Hennings 4-yard fumble return (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 16–7.
DAL – Richie Cunningham 34-yard field goal. Cowboys 19–7. Third quarter
DAL – Richie Cunningham 28-yard field goal. Cowboys 22–7.
ARI – Frank Sanders 7-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Cowboys 22–14. Fourth quarter
Overtime
ARI – Kevin Butler 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 25–22.
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman – 21/40, 171 yards
ARI – Kent Graham – 26/47, 249 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 19 rushes, 132 yards
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 16 rushes, 53 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 3: at Washington Redskins [ edit ]
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cardinals
7
0
3 3 0 13
Redskins 3
7
0 3 6 19
at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium , Landover, Maryland
Date : September 14Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 78,270Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
WAS – Scott Blanton 19-yard field goal. Redskins 13–10.
ARI – Kevin Butler 47-yard field goal. Tied 13–13. Overtime
WAS – Michael Westbrook 40-yard pass from Gus Frerotte. Redskins 19–13.
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 17/40, 132 yards
WAS – Gus Frerotte – 19/36, 265 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ edit ]
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
7
11 0 18
Buccaneers 6
6
0 7 19
at Houlihan's Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : September 28Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 81 °F (27 °C)Game attendance : 53,804Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 37-yard field goal. Buccaneers 12–10.
ARI – Aeneas Williams 42-yard interception return (Kent Graham–Frank Sanders pass). Cardinals 18–12. Fourth quarter
Top passers
ARI – Kent Graham – 31/52, 339 yards, TD, 2 INT
TB – Trent Dilfer – 12/24, 110 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 147 yards, TD
TB – Reidel Anthony – 5 receptions, 49 yards, TD
Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings [ edit ]
Week 6: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings 7
3
0 10 20
Cardinals
3
10
3 3 19
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 5Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 86 °F (30 °C)Game attendance : 45,550Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Eddie Murray 49-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
ARI – Chris Gedney 33-yard pass from Kent Graham (Kevin Butler kick). Tied 10–10.
ARI – Kevin Butler 23-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10. Third quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10. Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Butler 49-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–10.
MIN – Cris Carter 1-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Eddie Murray kick). Cardinals 19–17.
MIN – Eddie Murray 38-yard field goal. Vikings 20–19.
Top passers
MIN – Brad Johnson – 25/39, 292 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Kent Graham – 22/38, 293 yards, TD Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 17 rushes, 60 yards
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 15 rushes, 87 yards Top receivers
MIN – Andrew Glover – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 8 receptions, 108 yards
Week 7: vs. New York Giants [ edit ]
Week 7: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants 3
3
7 14 27
Cardinals
0
6
0 7 13
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 12Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 64 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 38,959Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 48-yard field goal. Giants 6–0.
ARI – Aeneas Williams 30-yard interception return (kick failed). Tied 6–6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
NYG – Danny Kanell – 13/28, 198 yards, TD, INT
ARI – Stoney Case – 18/33, 222 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 22 rushes, 103 yards, TD
ARI – LeShon Johnson – 2 rushes, 14 yards Top receivers
NYG – David Patten – 3 receptions, 66 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 87 yards
Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles [ edit ]
Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cardinals
0
0
3 7 0 10
Eagles 0
7
0 3 3 13
at Veterans Stadium , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date : October 19Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 55 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 66,860Box Score
Game information
First quarter
No scoring plays
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Williams 31-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–7.
PHI – Chris Boniol 38-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Overtime
PHI – Chris Boniol 24-yard field goal. Eagles 13–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 5/9, 98 yards, TD
PHI – Rodney Peete – 23/36, 298 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 11 rushes, 37 yards
PHI – Ricky Watters – 24 rushes, 83 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 9: vs. Tennessee Oilers [ edit ]
Week 9: Tennessee Oilers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Oilers 3
14
17 7 41
Cardinals
0
0
7 7 14
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 26Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 44,030Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
TEN – Denard Walker 39-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 20–0. Third quarter
TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 27–7.
TEN – Chris Sanders 55-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 34–7. Fourth quarter
TEN – Chris Sanders 20-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 41–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 41–14.
Top passers
TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 146 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/40, 195 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
TEN – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 98 yards
Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles [ edit ]
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
7
0
14 0 21
Cardinals 7
3
7 14 31
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 2Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 73 °F (23 °C)Game attendance : 39,549Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 45-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kent Graham 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 24–21.
ARI – Kent Graham 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 31–21.
Top passers
PHI – Ty Detmer – 15/27, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 7/18, 132 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
PHI – Freddie Solomon – 4 receptions, 77 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 3 receptions, 82 yards, TD
Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys [ edit ]
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
3
0
3 0 6
Cowboys 0
10
14 0 24
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : November 9Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 54 °F (12 °C)Game attendance : 64,302Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 42-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 39-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–6.
DAL – Sherman Williams 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 17–6.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 5-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 24–6. Fourth quarter
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 13/22, 148 yards
DAL – Troy Aikman – 15/22, 216 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 7 rushes, 51 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 15 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 12: at New York Giants [ edit ]
Week 12: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
10 0 10
Giants 0
10
0 9 19
at Giants Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : November 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 38 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 68,316Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Howard Cross 1-yard pass from Danny Kanell (kick failed). Giants 16–10.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 35-yard field goal. Giants 19–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/33, 388 yards, TD, 2 INT
NYG – Danny Kanell – 14/21, 182 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 9 receptions, 188 yards, TD
NYG – Amani Toomer – 2 receptions, 64 yards, TD
Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens [ edit ]
Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals 3
0
3 10 16
Ravens
0
3
7 3 13
at Memorial Stadium , Baltimore, Maryland
Date : November 23Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 48 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 53,976Box Score
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 6–3.
BAL – Bam Morris 1-yard run (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 10–6. Fourth quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 13–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 34-yard field goal. Tied 13–13.
ARI – Joe Nedney 43-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/34, 218 yards, TD, 2 INT
BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 21/37, 193 yards Top rushers
ARI – Larry Centers – 8 rushes, 36 yards
BAL – Bam Morris – 20 rushes, 88 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers [ edit ]
Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Steelers 7
3
7 3 6 26
Cardinals
0
3
14 3 0 20
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 30Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 56 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 66,341Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Joe Nedney 32-yard field goal. Steelers 7–3.
PIT – Norm Johnson 40-yard field goal. Steelers 10–3. Third quarter
ARI – Frank Sanders 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Tied 10–10.
PIT – Jerome Bettis 7-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–10.
ARI – Chris Gedney 11-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Tied 17–17. Fourth quarter
PIT – Norm Johnson 39-yard field goal. Steelers 20–17.
ARI – Joe Nedney 19-yard field goal. Tied 20–20. Overtime
PIT – Jerome Bettis 10-yard run. Steelers 26–20.
Top passers
PIT – Kordell Stewart – 18/35, 179 yards
ARI – Jake Plummer – 15/26, 270 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 36 rushes, 142 yards, 3 TD
ARI – Leeland McElroy – 9 rushes, 33 yards Top receivers
Week 15: vs. Washington Redskins [ edit ]
Week 15: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins 7
10
7 14 38
Cardinals
0
14
7 7 28
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 7Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 41,537Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
WAS – Larry Bowie 3-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 14–0.
WAS – Scott Blanton 40-yard field goal. Redskins 17–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 29-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–14. Third quarter
WAS – Chris Dishman 21-yard interception return (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 24–14.
ARI – Chris Gedney 37-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 24–21. Fourth quarter
WAS – Henry Ellard 23-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 31–21.
ARI – Rob Moore 47-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 31–28.
WAS – Albert Connell 7-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 38–28.
Top passers
WAS – Jeff Hostetler – 18/34, 226 yards, 3 TD, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/38, 337 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
WAS – Brian Mitchell – 2 receptions, 79 yards
ARI – Rob Moore – 5 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TD
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints [ edit ]
Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
3
0 0 10
Saints 0
3
7 17 27
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : December 14Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 45,517Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Doug Brien 20-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3.
ARI – Joe Nedney 30-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal. Saints 13–10.
NO – Eric Guliford 16-yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Doug Brien kick). Saints 20–10.
NO – John Farquhar 8-yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Doug Brien kick). Saints 27–10.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/37, 180 yards, 2 INT
NO – Billy Joe Hobert – 14/24, 252 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 4 receptions, 55 yards
NO – Randal Hill – 5 receptions, 124 yards, TD
Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons [ edit ]
Week 17: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
14
3
3 6 26
Cardinals 7
7
0 15 29
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 21Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 55 °F (13 °C)Game attendance : 32,003Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 25-yard field goal. Falcons 17–7.
ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Falcons 17–14. Third quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 31-yard field goal. Falcons 20–14. Fourth quarter
ATL – Morten Andersen 20-yard field goal. Falcons 23–14.
ATL – Morten Andersen 26-yard field goal. Falcons 26–14.
ARI – Rob Moore 21-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Falcons 26–21.
ARI – Larry Centers 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 28–26.
Top passers
ATL – Chris Chandler – 13/19, 176 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/39, 237 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
ATL – Bert Emanuel – 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD
ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Standings [ edit ] References [ edit ]
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (7) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Current league affiliations
Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)
