2012 Arizona Cardinals Season

The 2012 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 93rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 25th in Arizona, and their sixth and final season under head coach Ken Whisenhunt. After a surprising 4–0 start, which included a major upset of the New England Patriots in week 2, the Cardinals lost 11 of their final 12 games, and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, resulting in the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt after six seasons. This was Rod Graves' last season as general manager of the Cardinals. A day after the final game of the regular season, he was fired after 6 seasons.

2012 draft class

Staff

Final roster

Preseason

Schedule

Regular season

Schedule

:Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Cardinals began their season at home against their divisional rival Seahawks with quarterback John Skelton at the starting helm. The team started their season 1–0 despite Skelton finishing the game 14/28 for 149 yards and an interception. Kevin Kolb later on made an appearance in relief of Skelton going 6/8 for 66 yards and a touchdown pass.

Week 2: at New England Patriots

In a huge upset at Gillette Stadium, the Cardinals beat the Patriots to become 2–0. This was the Cardinals' first win against the Patriots since 1991. This would be their last win over New England until 2024

Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

With the win, the Cardinals started 3–0 for the first time since 1974.

Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 5: at St. Louis Rams

This was the Cardinals' 700th loss. They became the first team in NFL history to do this.

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

With the tough loss, the Cardinals fell to 4–2 and also with the Seahawks' win over the Patriots and the 49ers' loss to the Giants, the team remained in a tie for first place in the NFC West.

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

Losing their fifth straight game of the season by remaining winless at Lambeau Field (0–7), the Cardinals headed into their bye week at 4–5.

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Rams

With their 7th straight loss the Cardinals were swept by the Rams and fell to 4-7.

Week 13: at New York Jets

In a game most remembered as possibly the worst QB duel in NFL history the Cardinals fell 7-6 marking their 8th straight loss.

Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

With the loss, the Cardinals were not only eliminated from postseason contention by falling to 4–9, but the 58-point loss was the worst in franchise history. They committed 8 turnovers, which was the most that the Cardinals have ever committed in a game. Arizona had only 154 yards of total offense while the defense gave up 493 yards.

The Cardinals also became the first team in NFL history to lose 9 consecutive games after starting 4–0.

Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions

With this win, the Cardinals ended their 9 game losing streak.

Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers

With this loss, the Cardinals surpassed the 1989 Chicago Bears for the worst record by an NFL team starting 4–0.''Pro Football Reference''
Team Record Finder Query Results: From 1961 to 2017, excluding 1982 and 1987, show the final records of teams that started 4–0
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Standings

Footnotes

References

External links

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{{2012 NFL season by team

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Arizona Cardinals seasons
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