The 1990 Phoenix Cardinals season was the franchise's 92nd season, 71st season in the National Football League and the 3rd in Arizona . Despite rookie running back Johnny Johnson creating a good enough impression to make the Pro Bowl, the Cardinals did not improve upon their 5–11 record from 1989.
1990 Phoenix Cardinals staff
Front office
President – Bill Bidwill
Vice-president and general manager – Larry Wilson
Director of pro personnel – Erik Widmark
Director of player personnel – George Boone
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
1990 Phoenix Cardinals roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
47 active, 8 inactive, 5 practice squad
Rookies in italics
[ 2]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
September 9
at Washington Redskins
L 0–31
0–1
RFK Stadium
52,649
Recap
2
September 16
at Philadelphia Eagles
W 23–21
1–1
Veterans Stadium
64,396
Recap
3
September 23
at New Orleans Saints
L 7–28
1–2
Louisiana Superdome
61,110
Recap
4
September 30
Washington Redskins
L 10–38
1–3
Sun Devil Stadium
49,303
Recap
5
Bye
6
October 14
Dallas Cowboys
W 20–3
2–3
Sun Devil Stadium
45,235
Recap
7
October 21
at New York Giants
L 19–20
2–4
Giants Stadium
76,518
Recap
8
October 28
Chicago Bears
L 21–31
2–5
Sun Devil Stadium
71,233
Recap
9
November 4
at Miami Dolphins
L 3–23
2–6
Joe Robbie Stadium
54,294
Recap
10
November 11
at Buffalo Bills
L 14–45
2–7
Rich Stadium
74,904
Recap
11
November 18
Green Bay Packers
L 21–24
2–8
Sun Devil Stadium
46,878
Recap
12
November 25
New England Patriots
W 34–14
3–8
Sun Devil Stadium
30,110
Recap
13
December 2
Indianapolis Colts
W 20–17
4–8
Sun Devil Stadium
31,885
Recap
14
December 9
at Atlanta Falcons
W 24–13
5–8
Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
36,222
Recap
15
December 16
at Dallas Cowboys
L 10–41
5–9
Texas Stadium
60,190
Recap
16
December 23
New York Giants
L 21–24
5–10
Sun Devil Stadium
41,212
Recap
17
Philadelphia Eagles
L 21–23
5–11
Sun Devil Stadium
31,796
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: at Washington Redskins
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
WAS – Earnest Byner 4-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 14–0.
Third quarter
WAS – Gary Clark 43-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 21–0.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Alvin Walton 57-yard interception return (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 28–0.
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 29-yard field goal. Redskins 31–0.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 20/39, 228 yards, 4 INT
WAS – Mark Rypien – 17/31, 240 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 14 rushes, 54 yards
WAS – Earnest Byner – 17 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 6 receptions, 99 yards
WAS – Ricky Sanders – 6 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
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Week 2: Phoenix Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
7
7 9 23
Eagles
14
0
7 0 21
at Veterans Stadium , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date : September 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. PST/2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 65 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 64,396Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
PHO – Anthony Thompson 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 14–14.
PHI – Heath Sherman 2-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick). Eagles 21–14.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 25-yard field goal. Eagles 21–17.
PHO – Al Del Greco 50-yard field goal. Eagles 21–20.
PHO – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Cardinals 23–20.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 11/19, 116 yards, INT
PHI – Randall Cunningham – 17/24, 252 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 22 rushes, 88 yards, TD
PHI – Randall Cunningham – 6 rushes, 34 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
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Week 3: Phoenix Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
7 0 7
Saints
0
7
7 14 28
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : September 23Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 61,110Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Rueben Mayes 4-yard run (Morten Andersen kick). Saints 21–7.
NO – Rueben Mayes 14-yard run (Morten Andersen kick). Saints 28–7.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 14/26, 191 yards, TD, INT
NO – John Fourcade – 11/23, 151 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 22 rushes, 68 yards
NO – Rueben Mayes – 16 rushes, 99 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 5 receptions, 62 yards, TD
NO – Floyd Turner – 2 receptions, 55 yards
Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins
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Week 4: Washington Redskins at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins
0
7
10 21 38
Cardinals
0
10
0 0 10
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Date : September 30Game time : 6:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 78 °F (26 °C)Game attendance : 49,303Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
WAS – Chip Lohmiller 26-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
WAS – Gary Clark 42-yard pass from Stan Humphries (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 17–10.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Stan Humphries 1-yard run (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 24–10.
WAS – Gary Clark 42-yard pass from Stan Humphries (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 31–10.
WAS – Earnest Byner 1-yard run (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 38–10.
Top passers
WAS – Stan Humphries – 20/25, 257 yards, 2 TD
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 11/23, 91 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
WAS – Gerald Riggs – 19 rushes, 95 yards, TD
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 16 rushes, 93 yards
Top receivers
WAS – Gary Clark – 8 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TD
PHO – Roy Green – 4 receptions, 56 yards, TD
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys
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Week 6: Dallas Cowboys at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cowboys
0
0
3 0 3
Cardinals
7
3
0 10 20
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 14Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 77 °F (25 °C)Game attendance : 45,235Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0.
Third quarter
DAL – Ken Willis 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–3.
PHO – Johnny Johnson 9-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 20–3
Top passers
Top rushers
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 12 rushes, 48 yards
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 19 rushes, 120 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 7: at New York Giants
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Week 7: Phoenix Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
3
7
6 3 19
Giants
7
3
0 10 20
at Giants Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date : October 21Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST/2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 76,518Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYG – Matt Bahr 34-yard field goal. Giants 10–3.
PHO – Luis Sharpe 1-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 10–10.
Third quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 18-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10.
PHO – Al Del Greco 34-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10.
PHO – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–10.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Stephen Baker 38-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler (Matt Bahr kick). Cardinals 19–17.
NYG – Matt Bahr 42-yard field goal. Giants 20–19.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 11/20, 102 yards, TD
NYG – Jeff Hostetler – 11/21, 180 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 30 rushes, 108 yards
NYG – Ottis Anderson – 11 rushes, 88 yards, TD
Top receivers
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 2 receptions, 33 yards
NYG – Stephen Baker – 3 receptions, 65 yards, TD
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
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Week 8: Chicago Bears at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears
7
21
0 3 31
Cardinals
0
7
7 7 21
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 28Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 80 °F (27 °C)Game attendance : 71,233Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
CHI – Kevin Butler 33-yard field goal. Bears 31–14
PHO – Roy Green 40-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Bears 31–21.
Top passers
CHI – Jim Harbaugh – 9/14, 166 yards, TD, INT
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 18/30, 256 yards, TD
Top rushers
CHI – Brad Muster – 12 rushes, 99 yards
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 16 rushes, 74 yards, TD
Top receivers
CHI – Ron Morris – 3 receptions, 93 yards, TD
PHO – Roy Green – 5 receptions, 89 yards, TD
Week 9: at Miami Dolphins
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Week 9: Phoenix Cardinals at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
3
0 0 3
Dolphins
3
10
10 0 23
at Joe Robbie Stadium , Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : November 4Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 77 °F (25 °C)Game attendance : 54,294Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Tony Paige 17-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Dolphins 10–0.
MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 21-yard field goal. Dolphins 13–0.
PHO – Al Del Greco 44-yard field goal. Dolphins 13–3.
Third quarter
MIA – Mark Clayton 7-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Dolphins 20–3.
MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 19-yard field goal. Dolphins 23–3.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 13/25, 172 yards
MIA – Dan Marino – 18/25, 205 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 6 rushes, 32 yards
MIA – Marc Logan – 14 rushes, 62 yards
Top receivers
Week 10: at Buffalo Bills
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Week 10: Phoenix Cardinals at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
7
0
7 0 14
Bills
0
21
0 24 45
at Rich Stadium , Orchard Park, New York
Date : November 11Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 37 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 74,904Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
BUF – Scott Norwood 25-yard field goal. Bills 24–14.
BUF – Don Beebe 11-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 31–14.
BUF – Jamie Mueller 1-yard run (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 38–14.
BUF – Kenneth Davis 13-yard run (Scott Norwood kick). Bills 45–14.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 5/10, 74 yards, TD, INT
BUF – Jim Kelly – 11/16, 165 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 20 rushes, 66 yards, TD
BUF – Thurman Thomas – 26 rushes, 112 yards
Top receivers
PHO – Ernie Jones – 2 receptions, 38 yards, TD
BUF – Don Beebe – 2 receptions, 60 yards, TD
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
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Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers
7
3
0 14 24
Cardinals
0
7
7 7 21
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 18Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 70 °F (21 °C)Game attendance : 46,878Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
PHO – Roy Green 27-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 14–10.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Ernie Jones 25-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 21–10.
GB – Clarence Weathers 15-yard pass from Anthony Dilweg (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 21–17.
GB – Ed West 1-yard pass from Anthony Dilweg (Chris Jacke kick). Packers 24–21.
Top passers
GB – Don Majkowski – 9/13, 143 yards, TD, INT
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 17/35, 285 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
GB – Anthony Dilweg – 5 rushes, 50 yards
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 15 rushes, 103 yards
Top receivers
GB – Sterling Sharpe – 10 receptions, 157 yards, TD
PHO – Ernie Jones – 7 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots
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Week 12: New England Patriots at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Patriots
7
7
0 0 14
Cardinals
7
7
10 10 34
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 25Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 68 °F (20 °C)Game attendance : 30,110Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHO – Timm Rosenbach 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 14–7.
NE – Marv Cook 22-yard pass from Tom Hodson (Jason Staurovsky kick). Tied 14–14.
Third quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–14.
PHO – Timm Rosenbach 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–14.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Terrence Flagler 29-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 31–14.
PHO – Al Del Greco 50-yard field goal. Cardinals 34–14.
Top passers
NE – Tom Hodson – 17/29, 182 yards, 2 TD
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 15/26, 188 yards
Top rushers
NE – John Stephens – 11 rushes, 54 yards
PHO – Anthony Thompson – 28 rushes, 136 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts
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Week 13: Indianapolis Colts at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Colts
10
0
7 0 17
Cardinals
0
6
0 14 20
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 2Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 31,885Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 32-yard field goal. Colts 10–3.
PHO – Al Del Greco 39-yard field goal. Colts 10–6.
Third quarter
IND – Jessie Hester 6-yard pass from Jeff George (Dean Biasucci kick). Colts 17–6.
Fourth quarter
PHO – Timm Rosenbach 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Colts 17–13.
PHO – Marcus Turner 21-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 20–17.
Top passers
IND – Jeff George – 13/28, 168 yards, 2 TD, INT
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 12/26, 164 yards
Top rushers
Top receivers
IND – Jessie Hester – 4 receptions, 89 yards, TD
PHO – Ernie Jones – 4 receptions, 67 yards
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
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Week 14: Phoenix Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
10
7 7 24
Falcons
3
7
0 3 13
at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium , Atlanta, Georgia
Date : December 9Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 45 °F (7 °C)Game attendance : 36,222Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ATL – Greg Davis 24-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–13.
PHO – Marcus Turner 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Cardinals 24–13.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 15/29, 227 yards, TD, INT
ATL – Scott Campbell – 13/30, 198 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
PHO – Anthony Thompson – 26 rushes, 96 yards, TD
ATL – Mike Rozier – 10 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 6 receptions, 102 yards, TD
ATL – Andre Rison – 3 receptions, 65 yards
Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys
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Week 15: Phoenix Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
3
0
0 7 10
Cowboys
13
7
7 14 41
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Date : December 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 48 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 60,190Box Score
Game information
First quarter
PHO – Al Del Greco 38-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (kick failed). Cowboys 6–3.
DAL – Emmitt Smith 11-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 13–3.
Second quarter
Third quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 27–3.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 6-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 34–3.
PHO – Johnny Johnson 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Cowboys 34–10.
DAL – Daryl Johnston 6-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 41–10.
Top passers
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 14/35, 151 yards, 3 INT
DAL – Troy Aikman – 12/18, 164 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PHO – Johnny Johnson – 13 rushes, 22 yards, TD
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 24 rushes, 103 yards, 4 TD
Top receivers
PHO – Ernie Jones – 4 receptions, 57 yards
DAL – Michael Irvin – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Week 17: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
edit
Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
7
6
7 3 23
Cardinals
0
7
0 14 21
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 29Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : 49 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 31,796Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
PHI – Fred Barnett 3-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Roger Ruzek kick). Eagles 20–7.
Fourth quarter
PHI – Roger Ruzek 44-yard field goak. Eagles 23–7.
PHO – Ricky Proehl 38-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Eagles 23–14.
PHO – J. T. Smith 45-yard pass from Timm Rosenbach (Al Del Greco kick). Eagles 23–21.
Top passers
PHI – Randall Cunningham – 13/19, 172 yards, 3 TD, INT
PHO – Timm Rosenbach – 19/31, 301 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
PHI – Fred Barnett – 5 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD
PHO – Ricky Proehl – 7 receptions, 132 yards, TD