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2003 Arizona Cardinals season
2003 Arizona Cardinals season
2003 Arizona Cardinals season
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The 2003 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 105th season, 84th season in the National Football League and the 16th in Arizona. The team was unable to improve upon their previous output of 5–11, instead winning only four games,[1] although this was not considered a disaster as before their win over the Packers there was talk the 2003 Cardinals would become the first NFL team to go 0–16.[2] For the fifth consecutive season, the franchise failed to reach the playoffs, and based on point differential had the worst record in the only NFL season where every team won at least four games.[3] This resulted in the Cardinals firing head coach Dave McGinnis and replacing him with Dennis Green. In his NFL debut, Anquan Boldin had 217 receiving yards.[4]

Key Information

The team recorded a notable highlight in the last game of the season. Instead of choosing to tank and secure the number 1 draft pick, the Cardinals chose to play spoiler, rallying from an 11-point deficit with minutes left in the fourth quarter and defeating the Vikings on a touchdown pass by Josh McCown to Nate Poole with zeroes on the clock to knock the Vikings out of the playoffs. The win is considered to have had a huge impact on NFL history; on top of giving the Packers the NFC North crown, it had a significant effect on the draft next year, as the win knocked the Cardinals down to the number 3 spot and gave the first pick to the Chargers. The Chargers would select Eli Manning with that pick and trade him to the Giants for fourth overall pick Phillip Rivers, while the Cardinals would select Larry Fitzgerald, who became one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Offseason

[edit]

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2003 NFL draft
2003 Arizona Cardinals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 17 Bryant Johnson  WR Penn State
1 18 Calvin Pace  DE Wake Forest
2 54 Anquan Boldin *  WR Florida State
3 70 Gerald Hayes  LB Pittsburgh
5 141 Kenny King  DE Alabama
6 177 Reggie Wells  G Clarion
6 210 Tony Gilbert  LB Georgia
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

[edit]

Staff

[edit]
2003 Arizona Cardinals staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Hank Kuhlmann
  • Special teams assistant/def. quality control – Stan Kwan

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki

Roster

[edit]
2003 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 (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 reserve, 4 practice squad

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 7 at Detroit Lions L 24–42 0–1 Ford Field 60,691
2 September 14 Seattle Seahawks L 0–38 0–2 Sun Devil Stadium 23,127
3 September 21 Green Bay Packers W 20–13 1–2 Sun Devil Stadium 58,784
4 September 28 at St. Louis Rams L 13–37 1–3 Edward Jones Dome 65,758
5 October 5 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–24 1–4 Texas Stadium 63,601
6 October 12 Baltimore Ravens L 18–26 1–5 Sun Devil Stadium 24,193
7 Bye
8 October 26 San Francisco 49ers W 16–13 (OT) 2–5 Sun Devil Stadium 40,824
9 November 2 Cincinnati Bengals W 17–14 3–5 Sun Devil Stadium 23,531
10 November 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 15–28 3–6 Heinz Field 59,520
11 November 16 at Cleveland Browns L 6–44 3–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,908
12 November 23 St. Louis Rams L 27–30 (OT) 3–8 Sun Devil Stadium 42,089
13 November 30 at Chicago Bears L 3–28 3–9 Soldier Field 61,550
14 December 7 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–50 3–10 San Francisco Stadium 66,975
15 December 14 Carolina Panthers L 17–20 3–11 Sun Devil Stadium 23,217
16 December 21 at Seattle Seahawks L 10–28 3–12 Seahawks Stadium 64,899
17 December 28 Minnesota Vikings W 18–17 4–12 Sun Devil Stadium 52,734

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

[edit]
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 7 10024
Lions 7 7 141442

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/11:05 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 60,691
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 2: vs. Seattle Seahawks

[edit]
Week 2: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 17 7738
Cardinals 0 0 000

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

[edit]
Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 10 0313
Cardinals 7 3 3720

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 102 °F (39 °C)
  • Game attendance: 58,784
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 4: at St. Louis Rams

[edit]
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 6013
Rams 14 6 31437

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 65,758
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys

[edit]
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 0 007
Cowboys 7 10 7024

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,601
  • Referee: Peter Morelli
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens

[edit]
Week 6: Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 13 7326
Cardinals 7 3 0818

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 96 °F (36 °C)
  • Game attendance: 24,193
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers

[edit]
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
49ers 6 0 07013
Cardinals 7 3 30316

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 40,824
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]
Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 0014
Cardinals 7 3 7017

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 23,531
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]
Week 10: Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 6615
Steelers 0 7 21028

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,520
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 11: at Cleveland Browns

[edit]
Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 306
Browns 10 10 141044

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/11:05 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,908
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Rams

[edit]
Week 12: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Rams 14 3 73330
Cardinals 0 10 710027

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 42,089
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 13: at Chicago Bears

[edit]
Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 0 003
Bears 7 0 02128

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 12:05 p.m. CST/11:05 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,550
  • Referee: Johnny Grier
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers

[edit]
Week 14: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 7714
49ers 14 20 9750

at San Francisco Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST/2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,975
  • Referee: Peter Morelli
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 15: Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 31020
Cardinals 7 7 0317

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 23,217
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks

[edit]
Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 0710
Seahawks 14 7 0728

at Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST/2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,899
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 17: vs. Minnesota Vikings

[edit]
Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 71017
Cardinals 3 3 01218

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,734
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • Box Score
Game information

The Cardinals overcame an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to knock the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Standings

[edit]
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) St. Louis Rams 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 447 328 L1
(5) Seattle Seahawks 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 404 327 W2
San Francisco 49ers 7 9 0 .438 2–4 6–6 384 337 L1
Arizona Cardinals 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 225 452 W1

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • Anquan Boldin, Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year[4]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2003 Arizona Cardinals season

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2003 Arizona Cardinals season was the team's 16th in Arizona and marked a disappointing campaign in the , culminating in a 4–12 record that placed them last in the division, highlighted by the thrilling 18–17 'Miracle in the Desert' comeback victory over the in the season finale. Under head coach , the Cardinals struggled offensively and defensively, scoring just 225 points while allowing 452, ranking 32nd and 31st in the league, respectively. A bright spot emerged in the form of rookie , selected in the second round of the , who exploded onto the scene with 101 receptions for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdowns, earning a selection as the only Cardinal to do so that year. Boldin's debut against the set an record for a rookie's first game with 217 receiving yards on 10 catches, including two touchdowns. On the ground, running back Marcel Shipp led the team with 830 rushing yards, while veteran managed only 256 yards in his next-to-last season. Quarterback duties were split between , who threw for 2,247 yards, and , who added 1,018 yards in relief appearances. Defensively, the unit was porous, but safety Dexter Jackson provided a highlight with 6 interceptions, tying for seventh in the . The season's struggles led to significant changes, as McGinnis was fired on December 29, 2003—the day after the Cardinals' dramatic 18-17 'Miracle in the Desert' walk-off win over the Minnesota Vikings—after compiling a 16–32 record over three full seasons as head coach, paving the way for the hiring of the following year.

Offseason

NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals held the sixth overall selection in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft after finishing the 2002 season with a 5–11 record, but general manager Rod Graves opted to trade down to acquire additional picks. On April 26, 2003, the Cardinals traded their first-round pick (No. 6), second-round pick (No. 37), and fourth-round pick (No. 102) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the Saints' first-round picks (Nos. 17 and 18) and second-round pick (No. 54). This move allowed Arizona to address multiple needs in the defensive front and wide receiver positions early in the draft. With their first selection at No. 17 overall, the Cardinals chose Bryant Johnson from Penn State to bolster their passing attack, which had ranked 29th in the the previous season with just 3,168 yards. Johnson, a 6-foot-4 target, was expected to provide a deep threat alongside incumbent starter . Immediately following, at No. 18, selected from Wake Forest, acquired via the trade package, to strengthen a defense that allowed 383 points in 2002. Pace's pass-rushing ability was seen as a key addition to a unit lacking sacks, finishing last in the league with 26 the prior year. In the second round, at No. 54 overall, the Cardinals drafted wide receiver Anquan Boldin from Florida State, a physical, possession-style receiver who complemented Johnson's size with his route-running precision and toughness after the catch. Boldin quickly emerged as a rookie standout, leading the team with 1,377 receiving yards and earning Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The third-round pick, linebacker Gerald Hayes from the University of Pittsburgh at No. 70, added depth to the linebacker corps, where he started 15 games as a rookie and recorded 106 tackles. Later selections included defensive end Kenny King from Alabama in the fifth round (No. 141), guard Reggie Wells from Clarion in the sixth round (No. 177), and linebacker Tony Gilbert from Georgia in the sixth round (No. 210, compensatory). These picks focused on building trenches and linebacker versatility, though only Wells and Hayes saw significant long-term roles with the team.
RoundOverallPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
117WRPenn StateFrom via trade
118DEWake ForestFrom via trade (originally )
254WRFlorida State
370Gerald HayesLB
5141Kenny KingDE
6177Reggie WellsGClarion
6210Tony GilbertLBGeorgiaCompensatory pick
The 2003 draft class proved pivotal for the Cardinals, particularly at , where Boldin and Johnson combined for 1,815 receiving yards as rookies. Defensively, Pace contributed 4 sacks in limited action during his rookie year, laying the foundation for a 10-year career that included stints with multiple teams. Overall, the class generated 240 approximate value points across their careers, with Boldin accounting for 86 alone through his three selections and appearance.

Free agency and trades

The 2003 offseason marked a significant overhaul for the ' roster, as the team addressed key departures in while pursuing high-profile acquisitions to bolster both offense and defense. After a 5-11 finish in 2002, the Cardinals lost starting , who signed a seven-year, $40 million contract with the on March 6, 2003. , the team's leading receiver in 2002, also departed as a , agreeing to terms with the on the same day. These losses left gaps at and in the receiving corps, prompting Rod Graves to target veteran talent to stabilize the lineup under head coach . On March 12, 2003, the Cardinals made three notable signings to address immediate needs. They agreed to a three-year, $7.5 million with , a 12-year veteran who had started 11 games for the in 2002, positioning him as the likely starter to replace Plummer. In the secondary, the team signed safety Dexter Jackson, the MVP of after intercepting two passes in Tampa Bay's victory over Oakland, to a five-year, $14 million deal that included a $2.75 million . Additionally, fullback , a two-year starter with the , was inked to a four-year to provide blocking support in the backfield. Later that month, on March 26, 2003, the Cardinals added all-time leading rusher as a from the , signing the three-time champion to a two-year worth approximately $7-8 million, with the intent of pairing his experience with emerging talent like rookie . These transactions reflected McGinnis's approach to rebuilding, emphasizing veteran leadership amid a young roster, though the results were mixed as the Cardinals finished 4-12 in 2003.

Personnel

Coaching staff

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals coaching staff was led by head coach in his third season with the team, following his promotion from in 2000. McGinnis, a native of , who played linebacker at from 1971 to 1973, had joined the Cardinals in 1996 and compiled an 8-8 record in 2001 before back-to-back losing seasons. The staff emphasized continuity, with several assistants in multiple years of service, focusing on rebuilding a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed while integrating young offensive talent. Offensively, the group was coordinated by Jerry Sullivan, who was in his third year with Arizona after serving as wide receivers coach. Sullivan, in his 12th NFL season, had prior experience developing Pro Bowl receivers like Herman Moore during stints with the Detroit Lions. Supporting him were quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst (sixth year with the Cardinals), running backs coach Johnny Roland (14th year, a former Pro Bowl player and 31-year NFL veteran), wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert (first year, previously at the University of Florida), tight ends coach Marty Galbraith (first year, 29-year veteran with college and NFL experience including the Kansas City Chiefs), and offensive line coach Pete Hoener (fifth year, 29-year veteran who had coached at Illinois State and other programs). Defensively, Larry Marmie served as coordinator in his third year in that role and eighth overall with the team, having previously coached defensive backs and led as head coach from 1992 to 1995. The unit included defensive line coach (eighth year, Pro Football Hall of Famer and 30-year NFL coaching veteran from State), assistant defensive line coach Cary Godette (first year, 21-year college coach from East Carolina), linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald (fourth year, 10th in NFL), and defensive backs coach Ron Milus (first year, 12-year veteran previously with the ). Special teams were overseen by Hank Kuhlmann (11th year, 38-year veteran from the ), with support from defensive Stan Kwan (third year, Phoenix native and 13-year NFL assistant from State). Strength and conditioning was handled by Bob Rogucki (14th year from Glenville State College). This staff guided the Cardinals to a 4-12 record, finishing last in the amid ongoing franchise struggles.
PositionCoachNotable Details
Head Coach3rd year as HC; 18th NFL season; hosted weekly radio show.
Offensive CoordinatorJerry Sullivan3rd year with Cardinals; coached Pro Bowl receivers previously.
Quarterbacks6th year; developed QB Jake Plummer's career highs.
Running BacksJohnny Roland14th year; former RB.
Wide Receivers1st year; college coaching background.
Tight EndsMarty Galbraith1st year; 29-year veteran.
Offensive LinePete Hoener5th year; 29-year veteran.
Defensive Coordinator3rd year as DC; former college HC.
Defensive Line8th year; Hall of Famer.
Asst. Defensive LineCary Godette1st year; college coaching experience.
LinebackersJeff FitzGerald4th year; coached milestone tackles.
Defensive BacksRon Milus1st year; prior Broncos assistant.
Special TeamsHank Kuhlmann11th year; 38-year veteran.
Strength & ConditioningBob Rogucki14th year; total body training focus.

Roster

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals roster consisted of 53 players, blending veterans with a significant influx of rookies drafted in the NFL Draft that year. The team featured a young offensive core, highlighted by second-round pick at and first-round selections (WR) and (DE), who both earned starting roles. Veterans like , in his 14th season and the league's all-time leading rusher at the time, provided experience amid a rebuilding effort under head coach . Defensively, the unit relied on a mix of established starters and emerging talent, with safety Adrian Wilson and cornerback David Barrett anchoring the secondary. Linebacker Ronald McKinnon, in his seventh season, led the group from the middle, while rookie Gerald Hayes contributed in sub-packages. The offensive line, featuring guard Davis, offered stability, though the team struggled overall with a 4-12 record. Key rookies and their impacts included Boldin, who led the team with 1,377 receiving yards and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and Pace, who started all 16 games at with 3.5 sacks. Other notable additions were sixth-rounder Reggie Wells (G) and fourth-rounder (DE). The roster's youth was evident, with eight making the final 53-man squad.

Offensive Roster

PositionStarter/Key Players
QB (13 GS), (3 GS)
RBMarcel Shipp (11 GS), (5 GS), Damien Anderson
FB (8 GS)
WR (16 GS), (8 GS), Bryan Gilmore (10 GS)
TE (16 GS), Steve Bush (4 GS)
OLL.J. Shelton (LT, 15 GS), Cameron Spikes (LG, 16 GS), Pete Kendall (C, 13 GS), Leonard Davis (RG, 14 GS), Anthony Clement (RT, 16 GS)

Defensive Roster

PositionStarter/Key Players
DL (DE, 16 GS), Russell Davis (DT, 15 GS), Marcus Bell (DT, 10 GS), (DE, 10 GS)
LBRonald McKinnon (MLB, 16 GS), Levar Fisher (OLB, 15 GS), Raynoch Thompson (OLB, 12 GS)
DBDavid Barrett (CB, 16 GS), (CB, 14 GS), Dexter Jackson (FS, 16 GS), Adrian Wilson (SS, 15 GS)

Special Teams

PositionKey Players
K, Bill Gramatica,
P
This composition reflected the Cardinals' strategy to build around draft picks while leveraging free agents like Blake at for veteran leadership.

Regular season

Schedule

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals competed in a 16-game regular season schedule as members of the division, following the NFL's standard format with one bye week in Week 7. Home games were hosted at Sun Devil Stadium in , while away contests were played at opponents' venues. The schedule featured matchups against all rivals (twice each), plus games against the other NFC divisions and selected AFC opponents, resulting in an overall 4-12 record that placed the team last in their division. Two games extended into : a Week 8 home win over the and a Week 12 home loss to the .
WeekDateOpponentResultScoreHome/AwayLocation/Stadium
1September 7Detroit LionsL24–42AwayFord Field, Detroit
2September 14Seattle SeahawksL0–38HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
3September 21Green Bay PackersW20–13HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
4September 28St. Louis RamsL13–37AwayEdward Jones Dome, St. Louis
5October 5Dallas CowboysL7–24AwayTexas Stadium, Irving
6October 12Baltimore RavensL18–26HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
7-Bye----
8October 26San Francisco 49ersW (OT)16–13HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
9November 2Cincinnati BengalsW17–14HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
10November 9Pittsburgh SteelersL15–28AwayHeinz Field, Pittsburgh
11November 16Cleveland BrownsL6–44AwayCleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland
12November 23St. Louis RamsL (OT)27–30HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
13November 30Chicago BearsL3–28AwaySoldier Field, Chicago
14December 7San Francisco 49ersL14–50Away3Com Park, San Francisco
15December 14Carolina PanthersL17–20HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
16December 21Seattle SeahawksL10–28AwaySeahawks Stadium, Seattle
17December 28Minnesota VikingsW18–17HomeSun Devil Stadium, Tempe
The Cardinals scored a total of 225 points while allowing 452, averaging 14.1 points per game offensively and surrendering 28.3 defensively across the season.

Game summaries

In Week 1, the Arizona Cardinals opened the season with a 24–42 road loss to the on September 7 at . Rookie wide receiver caught two passes from quarterback , including a 71-yard score in the third quarter that briefly gave Arizona a 21–14 lead, but the Lions responded with a 57-yard punt return by Eddie Drummond and two more passing scores from to pull away. The Cardinals managed 434 total yards but committed three turnovers, including an interception returned 48 yards for a by Dre' Bly in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals suffered a 0–38 shutout defeat to the in Week 2 on September 14 at Sun Devil Stadium. Seattle's defense held Arizona to 286 total yards, while Matt Hasselbeck threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, and Shaun Alexander rushed for 51 yards and a score. The Cardinals' offense struggled under Blake, completing only 7 of 14 passes for 55 yards with no points scored, marking their first scoreless game since 1993. Arizona secured a 20–13 home victory over the in Week 3 on September 21 at Sun Devil Stadium, improving to 1–2. Kicker Bill Gramatica booted two field goals, including a 37-yarder, while the defense forced two turnovers; rushed for 50 yards on 20 carries, providing balance to Blake's 273 passing yards and a . The Packers managed 311 total yards in the low-scoring affair. In Week 4, the Cardinals fell 13–37 to the on September 28 at the Edward Jones Dome. Lamar Gordon rushed for 81 yards and a for St. Louis, who built a 20–7 halftime lead behind Marc Bulger's 272 passing yards and two scores; Arizona's threw for 88 yards, while added 47 yards in relief, contributing to the team's 10 penalties for 92 yards. The Cardinals lost 7–24 to the in Week 5 on October 5 at . ' Bill Parcells-led defense sacked Blake three times and held to 32 rushing yards; the Cardinals' lone score came on a 6-yard pass from Blake to Oliver Hoyte, while rushed for 43 yards for the Cowboys. dropped a 18–26 home decision to the in Week 6 on October 12 at Sun Devil Stadium. Jamal Lewis powered with 117 rushing yards and a , while passed for 190 yards and two scores; McCown threw for 266 yards and two s for the Cardinals, but three interceptions, including one returned 28 yards for a score, proved costly in the defensive battle. Following their bye week, the Cardinals won 16–13 in overtime against the in Week 8 on October 26 at Sun Devil Stadium. Rackers kicked the game-winning 31-yard in OT after a 13–13 tie; threw for 289 yards and a for San Francisco, but Arizona's defense forced two turnovers, and McCown added 141 passing yards in the victory that snapped a three-game skid. In Week 9, Arizona edged the 17–14 at home on November 2 at Sun Devil Stadium. McCown threw a 6-yard pass to Jason McAddley in the fourth quarter to secure the win after a blocked extra point kept it close; passed for 248 yards and two scores for Cincinnati, but the Cardinals' defense held firm, limiting the Bengals to 78 rushing yards. The Cardinals lost 15–28 to the in Week 10 on November 9 at Heinz Field. caught 11 passes for 160 yards and a for Pittsburgh, while threw for 250 yards and two scores; McCown completed 22 of 39 passes for 262 yards and a for , but the team managed only 45 rushing yards and turned the ball over twice. Week 11 saw routed 6–44 by the on November 16 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. threw for 228 yards and a for Cleveland; McCown passed for 227 yards but was sacked six times, and the Cardinals scored only on two field goals amid seven turnovers forced by the Browns. The Cardinals fell 27–30 in overtime to the in Week 12 on November 23 at Sun Devil Stadium. threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, including the OT winner to Dane Looker; McCown accounted for 313 total yards and two scores, with Boldin catching 10 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns, but Arizona's 10 penalties for 85 yards contributed to the defeat. In Week 13, Arizona lost 3–28 to the on November 30 at . threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns for Chicago, building a 25–0 halftime lead; McCown was held to 116 passing yards with two interceptions, and the Cardinals' only points came from a 50-yard by Rackers in blustery conditions. The Cardinals were defeated 14–50 by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14 on December 7 at 3Com Park. Tim Rattay threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns for San Francisco, while Kevan Barlow rushed for 120 yards and a score; McCown passed for 266 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Boldin, but Arizona allowed five rushing scores and committed three turnovers. Arizona lost a close 17–20 home game to the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 on December 14 at Sun Devil Stadium. Jake Delhomme threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad with 1:04 left to win it; McCown threw for 264 yards and two scores, with Boldin hauling in 10 receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown, but the Cardinals' defense surrendered 393 total yards. In Week 16, the Cardinals fell 10–28 to the Seattle Seahawks on December 21 at Seahawks Stadium. Matt Hasselbeck passed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, while Shaun Alexander rushed for 108 yards and two scores; McCown threw for 159 yards with an interception, and Arizona's defense struggled, allowing 408 total yards in the lopsided rematch. The Cardinals closed the season with an 18–17 home win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 on December 28 at Sun Devil Stadium, eliminating Minnesota from playoff contention. McCown threw a 7-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Nate Poole with 1:08 remaining; Daunte Culpepper passed for 305 yards and two scores for the Vikings, but Arizona's defense forced two turnovers, and Rackers added three field goals in the upset victory.

Standings

The finished the 2003 regular season with a 4–12 record, placing them last in the division. This performance marked their eighth consecutive season without a winning record and continued a streak of finishing in the bottom half of their division. The team scored 225 points while allowing 452, contributing to their poor standing and elimination from playoff contention by midseason. In the NFC West, the Cardinals were outpaced by the division-winning , who clinched the title with a 12–4 record and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs. The secured the wild card spot at 10–6, while the ended at 7–9, leaving Arizona well behind in the competitive realignment era of the division. Overall in the NFC, the Cardinals tied with the for the worst record at 4–12, tying for 15th place out of 16 teams and underscoring their struggles against conference opponents (1–9 record within the NFC).
TeamWLTPct.GBPlayoff Berth
St. Louis Rams1240.750—Division Winner
Seattle Seahawks1060.6252Wild Card
San Francisco 49ers790.4385—
Arizona Cardinals4120.2508—
The table above summarizes the 2003 NFC West standings, highlighting the Cardinals' eight-game deficit to the leaders.

Statistics and records

Team statistics

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals finished the season with a league-worst scoring offense, managing just 225 points over 16 games, averaging 14.1 points per game and ranking 32nd in the . Their total offensive output was 4,490 yards, placing them 27th league-wide, with a particularly weak rushing attack of 1,531 yards (29th) and gross passing yards totaling 3,265 (20th). The team scored 23 touchdowns, but turnovers plagued the offense, with 36 lost (29th in the ), contributing to a negative turnover differential of -13. Defensively, the Cardinals allowed 452 points, the most in the league at 28.3 per game (32nd), and surrendered 5,504 total yards (26th). They were vulnerable through the air, giving up 3,686 passing yards (29th), though their run defense held opponents to 1,915 rushing yards (19th). The defense forced 23 turnovers, including 13 interceptions, but struggled with red zone efficiency, allowing touchdowns on 61.9% of opponent opportunities (30th). In special teams, kicker converted 21 of 30 attempts (70.0%, 18th), while extra points were nearly perfect at 19 of 20 (95%). Punt returns averaged 6.5 yards per return for 130 total yards, and kickoff returns covered 1,881 yards with one . The team committed 98 penalties for 761 yards (24th in penalty yards), and lost 14 fumbles.
CategoryStatisticNFL Rank
Points Scored225 (14.1/game)32nd
Total Yards4,49027th
Rushing Yards1,53129th
Passing Yards3,26520th
Points Allowed452 (28.3/game)32nd
Total Yards Allowed5,50426th
Passing Yards Allowed3,68629th
Rushing Yards Allowed1,91519th
Turnovers Lost3629th
Third-Down Conversion %37.4% (83/222)13th
Field Goals %70.0% (21/30)18th

Player statistics

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals featured a mix of veteran performers and emerging talents, though the team's overall offensive output ranked last in the with 225 points scored and a league-worst 32nd in at 14.1. Defensively, the unit struggled as well, allowing 452 points and ranking 32nd in points allowed per game at 28.3. Key statistical leaders highlighted contributions, particularly in the passing game, amid a season marked by quarterback instability.

Offensive Statistics

The Cardinals' passing attack was led by quarterback , who completed 208 of 367 attempts for 2,247 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, accounting for the bulk of the team's 3,265 gross passing yards on 303 completions out of 534 attempts, with 18 total touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Backup provided relief with 95 completions for 1,018 yards and 5 touchdowns. Rookie emerged as a standout, recording 101 receptions for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdowns, setting an NFL rookie record for receptions in a debut season. Other notable receivers included with 35 catches for 438 yards and 1 touchdown. Rushing efforts were anchored by Marcel Shipp, who carried the ball 228 times for 830 yards and 0 touchdowns, contributing to the team's total of 1,531 rushing yards on 403 attempts and 5 rushing touchdowns. Veteran added 256 yards and 2 touchdowns in his final season. Fullback Josh Parsons added 33 carries for 130 yards, while Karl Williams chipped in 21 rushes for 138 yards, showcasing a committee approach that failed to generate consistent big plays. Kicker handled field goals, converting 21 of 30 attempts for 82 points, leading the team's scoring with contributions from Boldin's 48 points via touchdowns.
CategoryPlayerKey Stats
Passing Yards2,247 yds, 13 TD, 15 INT
Receptions101 rec, 1,377 yds, 8 TD
Rushing YardsMarcel Shipp830 yds, 228 att, 0 TD
Scoring82 pts (21/30 FG)

Defensive Statistics

On defense, the Cardinals recorded modest production, with linebacker Ronald McKinnon leading in tackles at 80 combined. Safety Dexter Jackson topped interceptions with 6, while added 5 picks and Adrian Wilson had 3. For sacks, and Raynoch Thompson led with 3.0 each, as the unit managed 25 total sacks across the season. Cornerback contributed 2 interceptions, underscoring a secondary that helped force 23 total turnovers but struggled against the run, allowing opponents to average 4.3 yards per carry. Defensive tackles were paced by with 46 combined, and the front seven, including Chike Okeafor's 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks, provided pressure but ranked near the bottom league-wide in stopping the pass, yielding 230.4 yards per game through the air.
CategoryPlayerKey Stats
TacklesRonald McKinnon80 combined
InterceptionsDexter Jackson6 INT
Sacks / Raynoch Thompson3.0 sacks

Awards and honors

Individual awards

Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals' second-round draft pick out of Florida State, earned widespread recognition for his explosive rookie performance, leading the with 1,377 receiving yards on 101 receptions and 8 touchdowns in 16 games. He was unanimously selected as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, receiving all 50 first-place votes from the AP panel. Boldin's breakout season marked a bright spot for the struggling Cardinals offense and earned him a spot in the as the NFC's third . Additionally, Raleigh Roundtree was honored with the team's , voted by his teammates for exemplifying professionalism, strength, and dedication in the face of adversity during the . No Cardinals players received honors or other major individual accolades in 2003.

Team records

The 2003 Arizona Cardinals compiled a 4-12 record, tying for the worst mark in the with the , , and San Diego Chargers. Their offensive struggles were epitomized by a league-low 225 points scored, averaging just 14.1 points per game and representing one of the weakest scoring outputs in franchise history, though not surpassing the 1933 low of 52 points. This poor performance extended to total offensive production, with the team amassing only 4,490 yards (27th in the ), including a meager 1,531 rushing yards (29th) that underscored persistent issues in the ground game. Passing yards totaled 2,959 (23rd), hampered by 20 interceptions thrown by the quarterbacks. Defensively, the Cardinals allowed a league-high 452 points, averaging 28.3 points surrendered per game and ranking as the most points allowed in franchise history. This contributed to a point differential of -227, the second-worst in team annals after the 2000 season's -233. The unit yielded 5,504 total yards (26th), with opponents rushing for 1,915 yards while the Cardinals managed just 1531 on the ground themselves. Additionally, the team forced 23 turnovers while committing 36 (29th in the ), exacerbating their defensive woes and leading to one of the lowest red zone touchdown conversion rates at 41.9% (30th).
CategoryStatisticNFL RankFranchise Note
Points Scored22532ndNear-historic low
Points Allowed45232ndMost ever
Point Differential-22732nd2nd-worst ever
Total Offensive Yards4,49027th-
Rushing Yards1,53129th-
Passing Yards2,95923rd-
Total Defensive Yards5,50426th-
Turnovers Committed3629th-

References

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