They beat the Browns to help ruin Cleveland’s shot at the playoffs and end Freddie Kitchens’ brief tenure as coach. They went to Seattle and knocked the Seahawks out of position to clinch a first-round bye and host a playoff game. Then they went to Los Angeles and, with a hobbled rookie starting quarterback at the helm, came within a touchdown of preventing the Rams from finishing with a winning record.
The Cardinals started off slow this season, got on a mini roll, and then went on a six-game slide. But they finished strong down the stretch and showed definite signs of improvements despite going a disappointing 5-10-1.