The Cardinals would lose star running back
David Johnson to a wrist injury during the game. Afterwards, it was revealed that his dislocated his wrist, an injury that sent him to injured reserve on September 12 and would eventually keep him out for the rest of the season.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
For the first time in 5 years, head coach
Bruce Arians made a return to Indianapolis, where he served as quarterback's coach from 1998-2000, as offensive coordinator in 2012, and that same year, served as interim head coach of the Colts, where he led them to a 9-3 record, the best record held by an interim head coach in NFL history.
Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Three: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
ARI – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 7:17. Cardinals 38–19. Drive: 1 plays, 1 yards, 0:05.
TB – Doug Martin 1-yard run (pass failed), 3:02. Cardinals 38–25. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:15.
TB –
Mike Evans 37-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (
Patrick Murray kick), 2:02. Cardinals 38–33. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:32.
Top passers
TB – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 22/32, 290 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 18/22, 283 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Doug Martin – 14 rushes, 53 yards, TD
ARI – Adrian Peterson – 26 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
TB – Cameron Brate – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 10 receptions, 138 yards, TD
This was the debut of recently acquired veteran running back
Adrian Peterson. He'd have a hot day that contributed to a Cardinal victory, rushing 26 times for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. The performance would earn him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Cardinals lost
Carson Palmer to an arm injury during the game. Shortly after, it was revealed that he broke his arm and would be out for the remainder of the season. It was also his last game he'd ever play in the NFL.
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Nine: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
ARI –
Jaron Brown 52-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert (Blaine Gabbert to
Larry Fitzgerald, pass succeeded), 9:17. Cardinals 24–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:03.
The Seahawks lost four out of five home games versus the Bruce Arians-led Cardinals; this one, combined with the
Atlanta Falcons winning, eliminated Seattle for the first time since 2011. In what would be head coach
Bruce Arians' final game as Cardinals head coach, Arians recorded his 50th win with the Cardinals and became the winningest head coach in Cardinals history, surpassing
Ken Whisenhunt, who won 49 games during his tenure with the Cardinals (2007–2012).
^
abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^
abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^
abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^
abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
The Cardinals would lose star running back
David Johnson to a wrist injury during the game. Afterwards, it was revealed that his dislocated his wrist, an injury that sent him to injured reserve on September 12 and would eventually keep him out for the rest of the season.
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
Week Two: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
For the first time in 5 years, head coach
Bruce Arians made a return to Indianapolis, where he served as quarterback's coach from 1998-2000, as offensive coordinator in 2012, and that same year, served as interim head coach of the Colts, where he led them to a 9-3 record, the best record held by an interim head coach in NFL history.
Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Three: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
ARI – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 7:17. Cardinals 38–19. Drive: 1 plays, 1 yards, 0:05.
TB – Doug Martin 1-yard run (pass failed), 3:02. Cardinals 38–25. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:15.
TB –
Mike Evans 37-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (
Patrick Murray kick), 2:02. Cardinals 38–33. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:32.
Top passers
TB – Ryan Fitzpatrick – 22/32, 290 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Carson Palmer – 18/22, 283 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Doug Martin – 14 rushes, 53 yards, TD
ARI – Adrian Peterson – 26 rushes, 134 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
TB – Cameron Brate – 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD
ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 10 receptions, 138 yards, TD
This was the debut of recently acquired veteran running back
Adrian Peterson. He'd have a hot day that contributed to a Cardinal victory, rushing 26 times for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. The performance would earn him NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Cardinals lost
Carson Palmer to an arm injury during the game. Shortly after, it was revealed that he broke his arm and would be out for the remainder of the season. It was also his last game he'd ever play in the NFL.
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Nine: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
ARI –
Jaron Brown 52-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert (Blaine Gabbert to
Larry Fitzgerald, pass succeeded), 9:17. Cardinals 24–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:03.
The Seahawks lost four out of five home games versus the Bruce Arians-led Cardinals; this one, combined with the
Atlanta Falcons winning, eliminated Seattle for the first time since 2011. In what would be head coach
Bruce Arians' final game as Cardinals head coach, Arians recorded his 50th win with the Cardinals and became the winningest head coach in Cardinals history, surpassing
Ken Whisenhunt, who won 49 games during his tenure with the Cardinals (2007–2012).
^
abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^
abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^
abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^
abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.