1998 Arizona Cardinals season

1998 Arizona Cardinals season
Owner	Bill Bidwill
Head coach	Vince Tobin
Home field	Sun Devil Stadium
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	2nd NFC East
Playoff finish	Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Cowboys) 20–7 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Vikings) 21–41
Pro Bowlers	DB Aeneas Williams
←  1997 Cardinals seasons 1999  →

The 1998 Arizona Cardinals season was the franchise's 100th season, 79th season in the National Football League and the 11th in Arizona. The club posted its first winning record since 1984, appeared in the postseason for the first time since 1982, its first postseason appearance in a non-strike season since 1975, and won its first postseason game since 1947 (it was also their first ever playoff win on the road). It was the Cardinals' first playoff appearance in its tenure in Arizona. After shocking the 10–6 Dallas Cowboys in the opening round in which the Cardinals won 20–7, Arizona ended up losing to the 15–1 Minnesota Vikings, 41–21 in the Divisional round. Over the next ten seasons, the Cardinals fell out of contention. They returned to the playoffs following the 2008 season, including a Super Bowl appearance despite a similarly mediocre 9–7 record.

Statistics site Football Outsiders states that the 1998 Arizona Cardinals are the third-worst team behind the 2004 Rams and 2010 Seahawks to qualify for the NFL playoffs since they began calculating ratings. ^[1] Ironically, all three of those teams won their first playoff games, before falling in the divisional round.

The season also marked the Cardinals' first game in St. Louis since re-locating to Arizona after the 1987 season. The Cardinals defeated the St. Louis Rams 20–17. Prior to the 2002 season, the Cardinals would be realigned to the NFC West, thus becoming divisional rivals to the Rams, and from then would play a regular season game in their former city every year until the Rams' return to the Los Angeles metropolitan area after the 2015 season.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Main article: 1998 NFL Draft

1998 Arizona Cardinals draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	3	Andre Wadsworth	Defensive end	Florida State
2	33	Corey Chavous  *	Defensive back	Vanderbilt
2	36	Anthony Clement	Offensive tackle	Louisiana–Lafayette
4	95	Michael Pittman	Running back	Fresno State
5	125	Terry Hardy	Tight end	Southern Miss
6	158	Zack Walz	Linebacker	Dartmouth
7	193	Phil Savoy	Wide receiver	Colorado
7	209	Jomo Cousins	Defensive end	Florida A&M
7	226	Pat Tillman	Defensive back	Arizona State
7	233	Ron Janes	Running back	Missouri
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[2]

Undrafted free agents

1998 Undrafted Free Agents of note

Player	Position	College
Cory Sauter	Quarterback	Minnesota
Cory Wedel	Kicker	Wyoming

Personnel

Staff

1998 Arizona Cardinals staff

Front office President – Bill Bidwill Vice president – Larry Wilson Vice president and general counsel – Michael Bidwill Vice president of player personnel – Bob Ferguson Assistant to the president – Rod Graves Head coaches Head coach – Vince Tobin Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Marc Trestman Quarterbacks – Geep Chryst Running backs – Johnny Roland Wide receivers – Vic Rapp Tight ends – Hank Kuhlmann Offensive line – George Warhop

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Dave McGinnis Defensive line – Joe Greene Linebackers – Glenn Pires Defensive backs – Larry Marmie Special teams coaches Special teams – Al Everest Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki

Roster

1998 Arizona Cardinals final roster

	Quarterbacks 17 Dave Brown 15 Stoney Case 16 Jake Plummer Running backs 24 Mario Bates 37 Larry Centers FB 21 Eric Metcalf KR/PR 29 Adrian Murrell 32 Michael Pittman Wide receivers 82 Ronnie Anderson 89 Fred Brock 48 Jarius Hayes FB 85 Rob Moore 81 Frank Sanders Tight ends 84 Chris Gedney 80 Terry Hardy 87 Johnny McWilliams		Offensive linemen 75 Lomas Brown T 79 Jon Clark T 72 Jerome Daniels G 69 Allen DeGraffenreid C/T 62 Mike Devlin C 64 James Dexter T 67 Chris Dishman G 54 Aaron Graham C 71 Lester Holmes G 73 Matt Joyce G/T Defensive linemen 92 Jomo Cousins DE 74 Mike Moten DE 97 Simeon Rice DE 78 Carl Simpson DT 93 Mark Smith DT 91 Rashod Swinger DT 90 Andre Wadsworth DE 94 Bernard Wilson DT		Linebackers 56 Terry Irving OLB 53 Mark Maddox MLB 50 Tony McCombs OLB 57 Ronald McKinnon MLB 95 Jamir Miller OLB 55 Patrick Sapp OLB 52 Zack Walz OLB Defensive backs 28 Tommy Bennett SS 26 J. B. Brown CB 25 Corey Chavous CB 27 Ty Howard CB 22 Tom Knight RCB 42 Kwamie Lassiter FS 44 J. J. McCleskey CB/S 40 Pat Tillman FS 35 Aeneas Williams CB Special teams 13 Chris Jacke K 86 Trey Junkin LS 10 Scott Player P		Reserve lists 12 Chad Carpenter WR (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 65 Anthony Clement T (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 76 Jerry Drake DT (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 83 Anthony Edwards WR (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 70 Thomas Guynes G/T (IR Tooltip Injured reserve)  6 Joe Nedney K (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 96 Brad Ottis DE (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 45 Cedric Smith FB (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) 98 Eric Swann DT (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad 31 Rod Brown FB 14 Kevin Drake WR 63 Antonio Fleming G 18 Andy McCullough WR Rookies in italics 53 active, 9 inactive, 4 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	TV	Attendance
1	September 6	at Dallas Cowboys	L 10–38	0–1	Texas Stadium	FOX	63,602
2	September 13	at Seattle Seahawks	L 14–33	0–2	Kingdome	FOX	57,678
3	September 20	Philadelphia Eagles	W 17–3	1–2	Sun Devil Stadium	ESPN	39,782
4	September 27	at St. Louis Rams	W 20–17	2–2	Trans World Dome	FOX	55,832
5	October 4	Oakland Raiders	L 20–23	2–3	Sun Devil Stadium	CBS	53,240
6	October 11	Chicago Bears	W 20–7	3–3	Sun Devil Stadium	FOX	50,495
7	October 18	at New York Giants	L 7–34	3–4	Giants Stadium	FOX	70,456
8	Bye
9	November 1	at Detroit Lions	W 17–15	4–4	Pontiac Silverdome	FOX	66,087
10	November 8	Washington Redskins	W 29–27	5–4	Sun Devil Stadium	FOX	45,950
11	November 15	Dallas Cowboys	L 28–35	5–5	Sun Devil Stadium	FOX	71,670
12	November 22	at Washington Redskins	W 45–42	6–5	Jack Kent Cooke Stadium	FOX	63,435
13	November 29	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 24–34	6–6	Arrowhead Stadium	FOX	69,613
14	December 6	New York Giants	L 19–23	6–7	Sun Devil Stadium	FOX	46,128
15	December 13	at Philadelphia Eagles	W 20–17 (OT)	7–7	Veterans Stadium	FOX	62,176
16	December 20	New Orleans Saints	W 19–17	8–7	Sun Devil Stadium	FOX	51,617
17	December 27	San Diego Chargers	W 16–13	9–7	Sun Devil Stadium	CBS	71,670
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	10	0	10
Cowboys	0	14	7	17	38

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 88 °F (31 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,602
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter DAL – Troy Aikman 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 7–0. DAL – Ernie Mills 30-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 14–0. Third quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Cowboys 14–3. DAL – Troy Aikman 2-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 21–3. ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 21–10. Fourth quarter DAL – Billy Davis 7-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 28–10. DAL – Richie Cunningham 25-yard field goal. Cowboys 31–10. DAL – Kenny Wheaton 15-yard fumble return (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 38–10. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 14/33, 166 yards DAL – Troy Aikman – 22/32, 256 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 35 yards DAL – Emmitt Smith – 29 rushes, 124 yards Top receivers ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 84 yards DAL – Michael Irvin – 9 receptions, 119 yards

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 2: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	0	7	7	14
Seahawks	10	10	0	13	33

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST/2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 57,678
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter SEA – Todd Peterson 51-yard field goal. Seahawks 3–0. SEA – Willie Williams 28-yard interception return (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 10–0. Second quarter SEA – Mack Strong 4-yard pass from Warren Moon (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 17–0. SEA – Todd Peterson 22-yard field goal. Seahawks 20–0. Third quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Seahawks 20–7. Fourth quarter SEA – Joey Galloway 9-yard pass from Warren Moon (run failed). Seahawks 26–7. SEA – Shawn Springs 56-yard interception return (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 33–7. ARI – Chris Gedney 23-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Seahawks 33–14. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/36, 204 yards, TD, 3 INT SEA – Warren Moon – 22/32, 146 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 20 rushes, 79 yards, TD SEA – Ricky Watters – 22 rushes, 105 yards Top receivers ARI – Larry Centers – 7 receptions, 54 yards SEA – Mike Pritchard – 3 receptions, 54 yards

Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	3	3
Cardinals	0	0	0	17	17

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 6:20 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C)
• Game attendance: 36,717
• TV: ESPN
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter No scoring plays Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter PHI – Chris Boniol 29-yard field goal. Eagles 3–0. ARI – Joe Nedney 47-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. ARI – Johnny McWilliams 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–3. ARI – Adrian Murrell 25-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–3. Top passers PHI – Rodney Peete – 13/23, 145 yards ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/35, 137 yards, TD Top rushers PHI – Duce Staley – 17 rushes, 67 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 22 rushes, 145 yards, TD Top receivers PHI – Russell Copeland – 6 receptions, 76 yards ARI – Johnny McWilliams – 3 receptions, 36 yards, TD

Week 4: at St. Louis Rams

Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	17	0	3	20
Rams	7	3	0	7	17

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/12:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 55,832
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter STL – Robert Holcombe 5-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). Rams 7–0. Second quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 22-yard field goal. Rams 7–3. ARI – Frank Sanders 13-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–7. ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–7. STL – Jeff Wilkins 57-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–10. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter STL – Robert Holcombe 4-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). Tied 17–17. ARI – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–17. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/31, 211 yards, TD, INT STL – Tony Banks – 15/26, 171 yards Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 29 rushes, 68 yards, TD STL – Robert Holcombe – 21 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD Top receivers ARI – Frank Sanders – 9 receptions, 86 yards, TD STL – Amp Lee – 5 receptions, 53 yards

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 5: Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	6	17	0	0	23
Cardinals	7	7	0	6	20

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 52,178
• TV: CBS
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Johnny McWilliams 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–0. OAK – Greg Davis 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3. OAK – Greg Davis 40-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–6. Second quarter ARI – Rob Moore 13-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 14–6. OAK – Greg Davis 34-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–9. OAK – Charles Woodson 46-yard interception return (Greg Davis kick). Raiders 16–14. OAK – Donald Hollas 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Raiders 23–14. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 41-yard field goal. Raiders 23–17. ARI – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal. Raiders 23–20. Top passers OAK – Donald Hollas – 12/22, 104 yards ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/39, 208 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Top rushers OAK – Napoleon Kaufman – 16 rushes, 58 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 28 yards Top receivers OAK – Rickey Dudley – 3 receptions, 35 yards ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 118 yards

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 6: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	7	7
Cardinals	3	14	0	3	20

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C)
• Game attendance: 47,860
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 49-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–0. ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–0. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 40-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–0. CHI – Bobby Engram 79-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Cardinals 20–7. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 16/28, 247 yards, TD, 4 INT ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/25, 157 yards, 2 INT Top rushers CHI – Edgar Bennett – 9 rushes, 29 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 21 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers CHI – Bobby Engram – 5 receptions, 142 yards, TD ARI – Larry Centers – 7 receptions, 52 yards

Week 7: at New York Giants

Week 7: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	0	0	7
Giants	7	10	10	7	34

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,456
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

NYG – Charles Way 1-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 7–0. Second quarter NYG – Gary Brown 1-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 14–0. ARI – Johnny McWilliams 14-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Giants 14–7. NYG – Brad Daluiso 26-yard field goal. Giants 17–7. Third quarter NYG – Brad Daluiso 34-yard field goal. Giants 20–7. NYG – Chris Calloway 19-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 27–7. Fourth quarter NYG – Amani Toomer 18-yard pass from Danny Kanell (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 34–7. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 12/21, 139 yards, TD, 2 INT NYG – Danny Kanell – 22/36, 259 yards, 3 TD Top rushers ARI – Mario Bates – 13 rushes, 45 yards NYG – Gary Brown – 24 rushes, 108 yards, TD Top receivers ARI – Rob Moore – 4 receptions, 52 yards NYG – Chris Calloway – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD

Week 9: at Detroit Lions

Week 9: Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	7	3	17
Lions	0	6	3	6	15

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

• Date: November 1
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
• Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 66,087
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter DET – Jason Hanson 28-yard field goal. Lions 3–0. ARI – Frank Sanders 16-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 7–3. DET – Jason Hanson 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–6. Third quarter DET – Jason Hanson 44-yard field goal. Lions 9–7. ARI – Rob Moore 36-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 14–9. Fourth quarter DET – Tommy Vardell 1-yard run (kick failed). Lions 15–14. ARI – Joe Nedney 53-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–15. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 15/25, 198 yards, 2 TD, INT DET – Frank Reich – 10/15, 119 yards Top rushers ARI – Mario Bates – 14 rushes, 32 yards DET – Barry Sanders – 27 rushes, 107 yards Top receivers ARI – Rob Moore – 5 receptions, 107 yards TD DET – Johnnie Morton – 7 receptions, 115 yards

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 10: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	3	14	0	10	27
Cardinals	0	7	7	15	29

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: November 8
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 43,159
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter WAS – Cary Blanchard 34-yard field goal. Redskins 3–0. Second quarter WAS – Skip Hicks 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Redskins 10–0. ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 10–7. WAS – Brian Mitchell 6-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Redskins 17–7. Third quarter ARI – Larry Centers 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Redskins 17–14. Fourth quarter ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 21–17. ARI – Team safety. Cardinals 23–17. ARI – Joe Nedney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 26–17. WAS – Leslie Shepherd 35-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 26–24. WAS – Cary Blanchard 54-yard field goal. Cardinals 27–26. ARI – Joe Nedney 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 29–27. Top passers WAS – Trent Green – 17/33, 183 yards, TD ARI – Jake Plummer – 22/30, 186 yards, TD Top rushers WAS – Skip Hicks – 15 rushes, 64 yards, TD ARI – Adrian Murrell – 23 rushes, 107 yards Top receivers WAS – Brian Mitchell – 7 receptions, 58 yards ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 11: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	14	14	7	0	35
Cardinals	0	7	14	7	28

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: November 15
• Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 69,923
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter DAL – Chris Warren 3-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 7–0. DAL – Daryl Johnston 1-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 14–0. Second quarter DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 21–0. DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 28–0. ARI – Frank Sanders 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 28–7. Third quarter ARI – Mario Bates 2-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 28–14. DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 35–14. ARI – Rob Moore 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 35–21. Fourth quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cowboys 35–28. Top passers DAL – Troy Aikman – 14/18, 208 yards, TD ARI – Jake Plummer – 31/56, 465 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers DAL – Emmitt Smith – 26 rushes, 118 yards, 3 TD ARI – Adrian Murrell – 14 rushes, 34 yards Top receivers DAL – Billy Davis – 3 receptions, 70 yards ARI – Frank Sanders – 11 receptions, 190 yards

Week 12: at Washington Redskins

Week 12: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	17	14	7	7	45
Redskins	0	6	21	15	42

at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland

• Date: November 22
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
• Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,435
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

ARI – Joe Nedney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. ARI – Johnny McWilliams 6-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 10–0. ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 17–0. Second quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 13-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 24–0. ARI – Jake Plummer 10-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 31–0. WAS – Michael Westbrook 15-yard pass from Trent Green (kick failed). Cardinals 31–6. Third quarter WAS – Michael Westbrook 12-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 31–13. ARI – Larry Centers 9-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 38–13. WAS – Michael Westbrook 11-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 38–20. WAS – Leslie Shepherd 16-yard pass from Trent Green (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 38–27. Fourth quarter WAS – Skip Hicks 5-yard run (Trent Green–Leslie Shepherd pass). Cardinals 38–35. ARI – Jake Plummer 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Cardinals 45–35. WAS – Trent Green 2-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick). Cardinals 45–42. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/28, 251 yards, 2 TD, INT WAS – Trent Green – 22/36, 382 yards, 4 TD, INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 20 rushes, 92 yards, TD WAS – Trent Green – 5 rushes, 26 yards, TD Top receivers ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 83 yards WAS – Michael Westbrook – 10 receptions, 135 yards, 3 TD

Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	10	7	7	24
Chiefs	7	7	10	10	34

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 29
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
• Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
• Game attendance: 69,613
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

KC – Bam Morris 2-yard run (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter ARI – Joe Nedney 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3. KC – Donnell Bennett 2-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 14–3. ARI – Rob Moore 10-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 14–10. Third quarter KC – Derrick Alexander 30-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 21–10. KC – Pete Stoyanovich 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 24–10. ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 24–17. Fourth quarter KC – Derrick Alexander 15-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 31–17. ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick). Chiefs 31–24. KC – Pete Stoyanovich 18-yard field goal. Chiefs 34–24. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/37, 250 yards, TD, 2 INT KC – Rich Gannon – 21/28, 231 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 13 rushes, 77 yards, TD KC – Bam Morris – 15 rushes, 76 yards, TD Top receivers ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 100 yards KC – Derrick Alexander – 6 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD

Week 14: vs. New York Giants

Week 14: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	7	3	10	3	23
Cardinals	14	3	0	2	19

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: December 6
• Game time: 2:05 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 46,128
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 20-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0. NYG – Tiki Barber 87-yard pass from Kent Graham (Brad Daluiso kick). Tied 7–7. ARI – Adrian Murrell 8-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 14–7. Second quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 21-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–7. NYG – Brad Daluiso 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–10. Third quarter NYG – Brad Daluiso 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 17–13. NYG – Charles Way 8-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick). Giants 20–17. Fourth quarter NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. Giants 23–17. ARI – Team safety. Giants 23–19. Top passers NYG – Kent Graham – 8/23, 144 yards, TD, 2 INT ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/40, 263 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers NYG – Gary Brown – 25 rushes, 124 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 16 rushes, 53 yards, TD Top receivers NYG – Tiki Barber – 2 receptions, 91 yards, TD ARI – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 68 yards

Week 15: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 15: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Cardinals	10	0	0	7	3	20
Eagles	0	10	0	7	0	17

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Date: December 13
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
• Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C)
• Game attendance: 62,176
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

ARI – Chris Jacke 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. ARI – Tommy Bennett 70-yard interception return (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 10–0. Second quarter PHI – Duce Staley 30-yard run (Chris Boniol kick). Cardinals 10–7. PHI – Chris Boniol 19-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter PHI – Irving Fryar 26-yard pass from Koy Detmer (Chris Boniol kick). Eagles 17–10. ARI – Rob Moore 9-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Tied 17–17. Overtime ARI – Chris Jacke 32-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–17. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/26, 234 yards, TD, INT PHI – Koy Detmer – 16/28, 219 yards, TD, INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 32 rushes, 174 yards PHI – Duce Staley – 30 rushes, 141 yards, TD Top receivers ARI – Rob Moore – 7 receptions, 109 yards, TD PHI – Jeff Graham – 3 receptions, 63 yards

Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 16: New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	10	0	7	17
Cardinals	3	3	7	6	19

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: December 20
• Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
• Game attendance: 51,617
• TV: Fox
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 21-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0. Second quarter NO – Sammy Knight 39-yard interception return (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–3. ARI – Chris Jacke 38-yard field goal. Saints 7–6. NO – Doug Brien 28-yard field goal. Saints 10–6. Third quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 29-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 13–10. Fourth quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 46-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10. NO – Cam Cleeland 13-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Doug Brien kick). Saints 17–16. ARI – Chris Jacke 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–16. Top passers NO – Kerry Collins – 25/43, 265 yards, TD ARI – Jake Plummer – 32/44, 394 yards, INT Top rushers NO – Aaron Craver – 7 rushes, 45 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 19 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers NO – Sean Dawkins – 7 receptions, 77 yards ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 138 yards

Week 17: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 17: San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	0	10	13
Cardinals	7	3	3	3	16

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

• Date: December 27
• Game time: 2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 71,670
• TV: CBS
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 4-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0. Second quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0. SD – John Carney 31-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–3. Third quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 36-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0. Fourth quarter SD – John Carney 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–6. SD – Ryan Thelwell 30-yard pass from Craig Whelihan (John Carney kick). Tied 13–13. ARI – Chris Jacke 52-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–13. Top passers SD – Craig Whelihan – 16/40, 214 yards, TD, 4 INT ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/41, 274 yards Top rushers SD – Terrell Fletcher – 23 rushes, 127 yards ARI – Adrian Murrell – 18 rushes, 25 yards, TD Top receivers SD – Ryan Thelwell – 5 receptions, 84 yards, TD ARI – Frank Sanders – 8 receptions, 106 yards

Standings

NFC East
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(3) Dallas Cowboys	10	6	0	.625	381	275	W2
(6) Arizona Cardinals	9	7	0	.563	325	378	W3
New York Giants	8	8	0	.500	287	309	W4
Washington Redskins	6	10	0	.375	319	421	L1
Philadelphia Eagles	3	13	0	.188	161	344	L3

Postseason

See also: 1998–99 NFL playoffs

Round	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	Record	Venue
Wild Card	January 2, 1999	at Dallas Cowboys (3)	W 20–7	1–0	Texas Stadium
Divisional	January 10, 1999	at Minnesota Vikings (1)	L 21–41	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

NFC Wild Card Round: at (3) Dallas Cowboys

NFC Wild Card Round: (6) Arizona Cardinals at (3) Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	3	7	3	20
Cowboys	0	0	0	7	7

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

• Date: January 2
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: Clear, 43 °F (6 °C)
• Game attendance: 62,969
• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• TV announcers (ABC): Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire (color commentators), and Solomon Wilcots (sideline reporter)
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter ARI – Adrian Murrell 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 7–0. Second quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 37-yard field goal. Cardinals 10–0. Third quarter ARI – Larry Centers 3-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Chris Jacke kick). Cardinals 17–0. Fourth quarter ARI – Chris Jacke 46-yard field goal. Cardinals 20–0. DAL – Billy Davis 6-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cardinals 20–7. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/36, 213 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT DAL – Troy Aikman – 22/49, 191 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 12 rushes, 95 yards DAL – Emmitt Smith – 16 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 72 yards DAL – Patrick Jeffers – 7 receptions, 92 yards

Quarterback Jake Plummer passed for 213 yards and two touchdowns as he led the Cardinals to their first playoff victory since 1947. ^[3]

NFC Divisional Round: at (1) Minnesota Vikings

NFC Divisional Round: (6) Arizona Cardinals at (1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	7	7	21
Vikings	7	17	10	7	41

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: January 10
• Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/2:15 p.m. MST
• Game weather: None (Indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 63,760
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), and Ron Pitts (sideline reporter)
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter MIN – Andrew Glover 15-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 14–0. MIN – Gary Anderson 34-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0. ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 17–7. MIN – Leroy Hoard 16-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 24–7. Third quarter ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 24–14. MIN – Gary Anderson 20-yard field goal. Vikings 27–14. MIN – Randy Moss 2-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 34–7. Fourth quarter ARI – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Chris Jacke kick). Vikings 34–21. MIN – Leroy Hoard 6-yard run (Gary Anderson kick). Vikings 41–21. Top passers ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/41, 242 yards, 2 INT MIN – Randall Cunningham – 17/27, 236 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers ARI – Adrian Murrell – 15 rushes, 62 yards MIN – Robert Smith – 19 rushes, 124 yards Top receivers ARI – Rob Moore – 6 receptions, 91 yards MIN – Cris Carter – 5 receptions, 82 yards

Awards and records

• Kwamie Lassiter, NFC Leader in Interceptions, 8 ^[4]
• Kwamie Lassiter, Tied NFL Record, Most Interceptions in One Game, 4 (Achieved on December 27) ^[5]
• Frank Sanders, Led NFC in Receptions, 89 ^[6]

References

1. Football Outsiders: Final 2010 DVOA Ratings “The Seahawks do pass the 1998 Cardinals as the second-worst playoff team in DVOA history.”
2. "1998 Arizona Cardinals Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
3. Arizona Cardinals (1988–Present)
4. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 452
5. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 94
6. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN   0-7611-2480-2, p. 451

• Cardinals on Pro Football Reference
• Cardinals on jt-sw.com