NFL team season
The 2011 season was the Arizona Cardinals ' 92nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 24th in Arizona and their fifth under head coach Ken Whisenhunt . This was going to be the Cardinals first season with new starting quarterback Kevin Kolb , but he was injured and replaced by John Skelton . Despite a 1-6 start the Cardinals managed to win 7 out of 9 games, including a stunning upset against the San Francisco 49ers in week 14. The team improved on their 5–11 record from the 2010 season , but missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
The 2011 Cardinals won four overtime games, an NFL record that would later be matched by the 2021 Las Vegas Raiders. [1]
Offseason
Signings
Pos.
Player
2010 Team
Contract
G
Daryn Colledge Green Bay Packers 5 years, $27.5 million
LB
Stewart Bradley Philadelphia Eagles 5 years, $25 million
C
Lyle Sendlein Arizona Cardinals 5 years, $16 million
TE
Jeff King Carolina Panthers 3 years, $5.5 million
DE
Nick Eason Pittsburgh Steelers 2 years, $1.9 million
S
Michael Adams Arizona Cardinals 2 years, $1.7 million
G
Floyd Womack Cleveland Browns 1 year, $1.7 million
RB
Chester Taylor Chicago Bears 1 year, $810,000
CB
Matt Ware Arizona Cardinals 1 year, $855,000
C
Ben Claxton Arizona Cardinals 1 year, $700,000
Departures
2011 NFL Draft
Acquisitions
On July 28, 2011 the Cardinals acquired Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 2nd-round pick. The next day they signed former Carolina Panthers starting CB Richard Marshall .[3]
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 2: at Washington Redskins
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
0
7 7 21
Redskins 0
10
0 12 22
at FedExField , Landover, Maryland
Date : September 18Game time : 1:00 pm. EDT/10:00 am[D] Game weather : 66 °F (Cloudy)Game attendance : 76,330Referee : Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers and Tim Ryan
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Three: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
10
0 0 10
Seahawks 3
3
7 0 13
at CenturyLink Field , Seattle, Washington
Date : September 25Game time : 1:15 pm[D] Game weather : 68 °F (Rain)Game attendance : 66,199Referee : Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Drea Avent
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 44-yard field goal, 12:48 (Tied 3–3)
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 12-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), 7:29 (ARI 10–3)
SEA – Steven Hauschka 19-yard field goal, 0:43 (ARI 10–6) Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Team – ARI – 234 – 90 – 324 – 2
SEA – 122 – 139 – 261 – 1
Week 4: vs. New York Giants
Week Four: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants 0
10
0 21 31
Cardinals
3
3
14 7 27
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
ARI Jay Feely 27-yard FG (4–7, 1:35) (ARI 3–0) Second quarter
ARI Feely 27-yard FG (16–79, 9:20) (ARI 6–0)
NYG Bradshaw 13-yard run (Tynes kick) (10–69, 5:03) (NYG 7–6)
NYG Tynes 30-yard FG (5:61, 0:28) (NYG 10–6) Third quarter
ARI Wells 1-yard run (Feely kick) (8–78, 4:36) (ARI 13–10)
ARI Wells 1-yard run (Feely kick) (2–5, 0:40) (ARI 20–10) Fourth quarter
NYG Jacobs 1-yard run (Tynes kick) (13–75, 5:48) (ARI 20–17)
ARI Wells 2-yard run (Feely kick) (6–77, 3:09) (ARI 27–17)
NYG Ballard 2-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) (7–80, 1:39) (ARI 27–24)
NYG Nicks 28-yard pass from Manning (Tynes kick) (2–48, 0:31) (NYG 31–27)
Top passers
NYG – Eli Manning – 27/40, 321 YDS, 2 TD
ARI – Kevin Kolb – 20/34, 237 YDS, INT Top rushers
NYG – Ahmad Bradshaw – 12 CAR, 39 YDS, TD
ARI – Beanie Wells – 27 CAR, 138 YDS, 3 TD Top receivers
NYG – Hakeem Nicks – 10 REC, 162 YDS, TD
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 8 REC, 102 YDS Top tacklers
Despite the Cardinals holding a 10-point lead twice in the fourth quarter, the Giants scored three touchdowns in the final frame as Arizona dropped its third straight game and fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 9:18. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 18 yards, 1:35.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 24-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:55. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:07.
MIN – Donovan McNabb 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:25. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:50.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 14-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:41. Vikings 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:01. Second quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 51-yard field goal, 10:29. Vikings 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:25. Third quarter
ARI – Beanie Wells 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 8:23. Vikings 28–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:41.
MIN – Ryan Longwell 26-yard field goal, 3:35. Vikings 31–10. Drive: 8 plays, 82 yards, 4:48. Fourth quarter
MIN – Ryan Longwell 53-yard field goal, 2:09. Vikings 34–10. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 4:33.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Seven: Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Steelers 7
10
9 6 32
Cardinals
0
7
7 6 20
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Steelers 14–0 – Mike Wallace 95 Yard Pass from Ben Rothelisberger (Shaun Suisham Kick) (8:09)
Steelers 14–7 – Alfonso Smith 1 Yard Run (Jay Feely Kick) (1:20)
Steelers 17–7 – Shaun Suisham 41 Yard Field Goal (0:00) Third quarter
Steelers 17–14 – LaRod Stephens-Howling 73 Yard Pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely Kick) (9:26)
Steelers 24–14 – Emmanuel Sanders 4 Yard Pass from Ben Rothelisberger (Shaun Suisham Kick) (3:54)
Steelers 26–14 – Intentional Grounding called on Kevin Kolb in the End Zone (3:42) Fourth quarter
Steelers 29–14 – Shaun Suisham 42 Yard Field Goal (11:30)
Steelers 32–14 – Shaun Suisham 39 Yard Field Goal (6:46)
Steelers 32–20 – Early Doucet 2 Yard Pass from Kevin Kolb (2-pt Kevin Kolb pass failed) (3:53)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Coming off their bye week, the Cardinals went home for a Week 7 interconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers , in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII . Arizona trailed early in the first quarter as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller . Pittsburgh would add onto their lead in the second quarter as Roethlisberger completed a 95-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace . The Cardinals would answer with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Alfonso Smith . The Steelers would close out the half with kicker Shaun Suisham getting a 41-yard field goal.
Arizona opened the third quarter with quarterback Kevin Kolb finding running back LaRod Stephens-Howling on a 73-yard touchdown pass, but Pittsburgh struck back with Roethlisberger completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders , along with Kolb's intentional grounding penalty in the endzone resulting in a safety. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers continued to pull away with Suisham making a 42-yard and a 39-yard field goal. The Cardinals tried to rally as Kolb found wide receiver Early Doucet on a 2-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion), but Pittsburgh held on to preserve the victory.
With the loss, Arizona fell to 1–5.
Week 8: at Baltimore Ravens
Game information
First quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 32-yard Field Goal, Cardinals 3–0 Second quarter
BAL – Billy Cundiff 26-yard Field Goal, Tied 3–3
ARI – Chris Wells 1-yard run (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 10–3
ARI – Patrick Peterson 82-yard punt return (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 17–3
ARI – Early Doucet 10-yard pass from Kevin Kolb (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 24–3
BAL – Billy Cundiff 47-yard Field Goal, Cardinals 24–6 Third quarter
BAL – Ray Rice 1-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), Cardinals 24–13
BAL – Ray Rice 1-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), Cardinals 24–20 Fourth quarter
BAL – Ray Rice 3-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), Ravens 27–24
ARI – Jay Feely 45-yard Field Goal, Tied 27–27
BAL – Billy Cundiff 25-yard Field Goal, Ravens 30–27
Top passers
ARI – Kevin Kolb – 10/21, 153 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
BAL – Joe Flacco – 31/51, 336 yards, 1 interception Top rushers
ARI – Chris Wells – 22 carries, 83 yards, 1 touchdown
BAL – Ray Rice – 18 carries, 63 yards, 3 touchdowns Top receivers
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 3 receptions, 98 yards
BAL – Anquan Bolden – 7 receptions, 145 yards Top tacklers
ARI – Rashad Johnson – 7 tackles, 1 assist
BAL – Terrell Suggs – 9 tackles, 4 assists, 1 sack
The Cardinals blew a 21-point first half lead and lost their sixth straight game to fall to 1–6.
Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Nine: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Rams
3
6
4 0 0 13
Cardinals 3
0
3 7 6 19
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
The Cardinals snapped their six-game losing streak as rookie Patrick Peterson returned a punt 98 yards for a game-winning touchdown in overtime. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 2–6. The game also featured the Rams' scoring the four points in the third quarter as the got two safeties on consecutive drives. This was first time in NFL history that a team had recorded four points in a quarter.
Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Eleven: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 7 7
49ers 6
3
14 0 23
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Date : November 20Game time : 2:05 pm. MST/1:05 pm. PSTGame weather : 55 °F (Rain)Game attendance : 69,732Referee : Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman , Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
Game information
First quarter
SF – David Akers 22 yd. Field Goal, 49ers 3–0
SF – David Akers 43 yd. Field Goal, 49ers 6–0 Second quarter
SF – David Akers 29 yd. Field Goal, 49ers 9–0 Third quarter
SF – Kyle Williams 8 yd. pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 16–0
SF – Vernon Davis 18 yd. pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 23–0 Fourth quarter
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 23 yd. pass from Richard Bartel (Jay Feely kick), 49ers 23–7
Top passers
ARI – Ricahrd Bartel – 8/16, 64 yards, 1 touchdown
SF – Alex Smith – 20/38, 267 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception Top rushers
ARI – Chris Wells – 8 carries, 33 yards
SF – Frank Gore – 24 carries, 88 yards Top receivers
ARI – Early Doucet – 6 receptions, 50 yards
SF – Michael Crabtree – 7 receptions, 120 yards Top tacklers
ARI – Paris Lenon – 9 tackles
SF – Patrick Willis – 6 tackles, 1 assist
Week 12: at St. Louis Rams
Week Twelve: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals 3
0
17 3 23
Rams
7
3
0 10 20
at Edward Jones Dome , St. Louis, Missouri
Date : November 27Game time : 12:00 pm. CST/11:00 am. MSTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 56,029Referee : Mike Carey TV announcers (Fox) : Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington and Tina Cervasio
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Thirteen: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cowboys
0
10
3 0 0 13
Cardinals 3
0
3 7 6 19
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : December 4Game time : 2:15 pm. MSTGame weather : 53 °F (12 °C), (retractable roof open)Game attendance : 62,180Referee : Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 14: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers
3
9
7 0 19
Cardinals 0
7
7 7 21
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : December 11Game time : 2:05 pm. MSTGame weather : 66 °F (19 °C), (retractable roof open)Game attendance : 60,808Referee : Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
Game information
First quarter
SF – David Akers 46-yard field goal, 49ers 3–0. Second quarter
SF – David Akers 22-yard field goal, 49ers 6–0.
ARI – Early Doucet 60-yard pass from John Skelton (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 7–6.
SF – David Akers 27-yard field goal, 49ers 9–7.
SF – David Akers 22-yard field goal, 49ers 12–7. Third quarter
SF – Frank Gore 37-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 19–7.
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 46-yard pass from John Skelton (Jay Feely kick), 49ers 19–14. Fourth quarter
ARI – Andre Roberts 3-yard pass from John Skelton (Jay Feely kick), Cardinals 21–19.
Top passers
SF – Alex Smith – 18/37, 175 yards
ARI – John Skelton – 19/28, 282 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions Top rushers
SF – Frank Gore – 10 carries, 72 yards
ARI – Chris Wells – 15 carries, 27 yards Top receivers
SF – Michael Crabtree – 7 catches, 63 yards
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 7 catches, 149 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
SF – Larry Grant – 10 tackles, 1 assist
ARI – Richard Marshall – 4 tackles, 3 assists
The Cardinals came back from 12-point halftime deficit to stun the 10–2 49ers. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 6–7.
Week 15: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Fifteen: Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Browns
7
3
7 0 0 17
Cardinals 0
7
0 10 3 20
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Date : December 18Game time : 2:15 pm. MSTGame weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 60,443Referee : Scott Green TV announcers (CBS) : Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt recorded his 43rd win as the Cardinals' head coach, and surpassed Don Coryell to become the winningest head coach in franchise history. Whisenhunt was the all-time leader in wins for Cardinals head coaches until his record was broken by Bruce Arians 5 years later .
Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Seventeen: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Seahawks
0
3
7 10 0 20
Cardinals 7
3
7 3 3 23
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 19-yard field goal, 12:10 (ARI 7–3)
ARI – Jay Feely 30-yard field goal, 3:28 (ARI 10–3) Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Jay Feely 43-yard field goal, 12:18 (ARI 20–10)
SEA – Steven Hauschka 26-yard field goal, 9:05 (ARI 20–13)
SEA – Ricardo Lockette 61-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka kick), 7:47 (Tied 20–20) Overtime
ARI – Jay Feely 28-yard field goal, 5:59 (ARI 23–20)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Team – SEA – 191 – 178 – 369 – 1
ARI – 257 – 131 – 388 – 2
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