2005 Arizona Cardinals season

The 2005 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 86th in the National Football League (NFL), their 107th overall and their 18th in Arizona. The team was unable to improve upon their 6–10 record from the previous season, and failed to make the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.[1]

2005 Arizona Cardinals season
OwnerBill Bidwill
General managerRod Graves
Head coachDennis Green
Home fieldSun Devil Stadium
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersWR Larry Fitzgerald
K Neil Rackers
Uniform

The October 2 game was the first regular season game to be played outside the United States, and was known as NFL Futbol Americano. The game was a Cardinals home game, and the Cardinals defeated their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, 31–14. For the first time since moving to the NFC West in 2002, the Cardinals swept division rivals the 49ers, and won in Candlestick Park for the first time since 1978.

The Cardinals, as a team, had a paltry 1,138 rushing yards in 2005, only 71.1 yards per game.[2] Remarkably, the Cardinals only had one 100-yard rushing game, when they ran for 129 yards in the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.[3] Arizona's season total is the fifth-fewest rushing yards by a team in a 16-game season.[4]

The Cardinals passing offense, however, led the league, with 4,437 yards. Kurt Warner's 271.3 passing yards per game were third in the NFL, and his 24.2 pass completions per-game led the league.[5] Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald tied for the league lead in receptions, with 103,[note 1] edging out his teammate Anquan Boldin, who had 102 (tied for third in the NFL)[note 2] Fitzgerald's 1,409 yards, and Boldin’s 1,402 yards receiving were fourth and fifth in the NFL, respectively, in 2005. Boldin’s 100.1 receiving yards per game led the NFL.

The season also saw the Cardinals change their logo and uniforms, which remained until 2023. It was also their final season playing at Sun Devil Stadium.

Offseason

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NFL Draft

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2005 Arizona Cardinals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 8 Antrel Rolle  Defensive back Miami (FL)
2 44 J.J. Arrington  Running back California
3 75 Eric Green  Defensive Back Virginia Tech
3 95 Darryl Blackstock  Linebacker Virginia
4 111 Elton Brown  Guard Virginia
5 168 Lance Mitchell  Linebacker Oklahoma
7 226 LeRon McCoy  Wide Receiver Indiana (PA)
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

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Staff

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2005 Arizona Cardinals staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Clancy Pendergast
  • Defensive line – Deek Pollard
  • Linebackers – Frank Bush
  • Defensive backs – Richard Solomon
  • Defensive quality control – Rick Courtright

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Steve Wetzel
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Ryan Capretta
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Daryl Lawrence


Roster

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2005 Arizona Cardinals roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 16 reserve, 7 practice squad

Regular season

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Schedule

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In the 2005 regular season, the Cardinals’ non-divisional, conference opponents were primarily from the NFC East, although they also played the Carolina Panthers from the NFC South, and the Detroit Lions from the NFC North. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC South.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 11 at New York Giants L 19–42 0–1 Giants Stadium 78,387
2 September 18 St. Louis Rams L 12–17 0–2 Sun Devil Stadium 45,160
3 September 25 at Seattle Seahawks L 12–37 0–3 Qwest Field 64,843
4 October 2 San Francisco 49ers W 31–14 1–3   Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) 103,467
5 October 9 Carolina Panthers L 20–24 1–4 Sun Devil Stadium 38,809
6 Bye
7 October 23 Tennessee Titans W 20–10 2–4 Sun Devil Stadium 39,482
8 October 30 at Dallas Cowboys L 13–34 2–5 Texas Stadium 62,068
9 November 6 Seattle Seahawks L 19–33 2–6 Sun Devil Stadium 43,542
10 November 13 at Detroit Lions L 21–29 2–7 Ford Field 61,091
11 November 20 at St. Louis Rams W 38–28 3–7 Edward Jones Dome 65,750
12 November 27 Jacksonville Jaguars L 17–24 3–8 Sun Devil Stadium 39,198
13 December 4 at San Francisco 49ers W 17–10 4–8 Monster Park 60,439
14 December 11 Washington Redskins L 13–17 4–9 Sun Devil Stadium 46,654
15 December 18 at Houston Texans L 19–30 4–10 Reliant Stadium 70,024
16 December 24 Philadelphia Eagles W 27–21 5–10 Sun Devil Stadium 44,723
17 January 1, 2006 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–17 5–11 RCA Dome 57,211

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

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Week 1: at New York Giants

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Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 13 6019
Giants 7 0 211442

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,387
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen & Bill Maas
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 2: vs. St. Louis Rams

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Week 2: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 7017
Cardinals 3 3 3312

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 94 °F (34 °C)
  • Game attendance: 45,160
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts & Tim Ryan
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks

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Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 6 3012
Seahawks 7 3 141337

at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST/2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,843
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (FOX): Curt Menefee & J.C. Pearson
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers

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Fútbol Americano

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 14 0 0014
Cardinals 0 12 61331

at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 7:35 p.m. CST/6:35 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 103,467
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire & Suzy Kolber
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 5: vs. Carolina Panthers

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Week 5: Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 7 01424
Cardinals 0 17 3020

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 38,809
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • TV announcers (FOX): Matt Vasgersian & Erik Kramer
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans

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Week 7: Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 10 0 0010
Cardinals 0 10 3720

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,482
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Craig Bolerjack & Rich Baldinger
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys

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Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 7 3013
Cowboys 10 14 3734

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,068
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (FOX): Matt Vasgersian & Brian Baldinger
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks

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Week 9: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 14 10633
Cardinals 3 3 10319

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 43,542
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts & Tim Ryan
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 10: at Detroit Lions

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Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 81021
Lions 9 10 7329

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/11:05 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,091
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts & Tim Ryan
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 11: at St. Louis Rams

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Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 10 32238
Rams 3 7 71128

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 65,750
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (FOX): Thom Brenneman & Neil O'Donnell
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 12: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 3 7724
Cardinals 0 0 31417

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,198
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui & Steve Beuerlein
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 13: at San Francisco 49ers

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Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 0 6817
49ers 0 7 3010

at Monster Park, San Francisco, California

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST/2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,439
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (FOX): Thom Brenneman & Tim Green
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 14: vs. Washington Redskins

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Week 14: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 3 14017
Cardinals 0 10 3013

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 46,654
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (FOX): Curt Menefee & J.C. Pearson
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 15: at Houston Texans

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Week 15: Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 7 0919
Texans 0 24 3330

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,024
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (FOX): Chris Myers & Terry Donahue
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 16: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 7 01421
Cardinals 6 7 7727

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 44,723
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • TV announcers (FOX): Ron Pitts & Tim Ryan
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts

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Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 7313
Colts 7 3 7017

at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 57,211
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (FOX): Matt Vasgersian & Neil O'Donnell
  • Box Score
Game information

Standings

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NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Seattle Seahawks 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 454 271 L1
St. Louis Rams 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 363 429 W1
Arizona Cardinals 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 311 387 L1
San Francisco 49ers 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 239 428 W2

Notes

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  1. ^ Tied with the Carolina PanthersSteve Smith
  2. ^ Tied with the St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt.

References

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