What Is 2012 Arizona Cardinals football team

Overview

The 2012 Arizona Cardinals struggled through a disappointing NFL season, finishing with a 5-11 record under head coach Ken Whisenhunt. The team placed last in the NFC West division, failing to improve on their 8-8 record from 2011 and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Offensive inconsistency, defensive lapses, and quarterback instability plagued the season. Despite high expectations after a promising 2011 campaign, the Cardinals regressed significantly, leading to major organizational changes after the year ended.

• Ken Whisenhunt was fired as head coach on December 31, 2012, after compiling a 3-13 record in 2012 and 2011 combined.
• The team’s 5-11 record included two wins over division rivals but losses in all four games against the NFC East.
• Quarterback John Skelton started the season but was benched after poor performances, giving way to rookie Ryan Lindley.
• The offense averaged just 17.4 points per game, ranking 26th in the NFL, and failed to score more than 20 points in nine games.
• Defensively, the Cardinals allowed 378 points (23.6 per game), with particular struggles against the run and in the red zone.

Performance & Season Details

The 2012 season was defined by missed opportunities and underperformance across key positions. Injuries, poor quarterback play, and defensive breakdowns contributed to a lackluster campaign that fell short of preseason expectations.

• Opening Week: The Cardinals lost 20-16 to the Seattle Seahawks at home, setting a tone of narrow defeats and late-game failures.
• Quarterback Carousel: The team cycled through John Skelton, Ryan Lindley, and Brian Hoyer, with no QB throwing for more than 1,000 yards.
• Key Injury: Starting running back Beanie Wells was limited to just six games due to foot injuries, disrupting the ground game.
• Defensive Struggles: The pass defense ranked 29th in the league, allowing 258.4 yards per game through the air.
• Home Field: Despite playing at University of Phoenix Stadium, the team went just 3-5 at home, failing to capitalize on home advantage.
• Final Game: The season ended with a 27-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2012, sealing their last-place finish.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2012 Arizona Cardinals compared to other NFC West teams in key statistical categories:

The Cardinals ranked last in both scoring and total defense within the division. While the 49ers and Seahawks showed offensive firepower, Arizona’s offense lacked consistency, and their defense allowed the second-most points in the NFC West. The Rams, despite a similar record, had a stronger defense, while the Cardinals were outperformed across the board.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season marked a turning point for the franchise, leading to a complete overhaul of leadership and roster strategy. The poor performance underscored the need for long-term rebuilding and better quarterback development.

• The firing of Ken Whisenhunt ended a six-year tenure that included a Super Bowl appearance but three straight losing seasons.
• The team hired Bruce Arians as head coach in 2013, signaling a new direction focused on offensive improvement.
• Quarterback instability in 2012 highlighted the need for a long-term solution, eventually leading to the drafting of Joshua Dobbs and later Kyler Murray.
• The 5-11 record gave the Cardinals a high draft pick in 2013, used to select defensive end Jonathan Cooper second overall.
• Ownership and management began reevaluating player development and scouting processes to avoid future regression.
• The season served as a cautionary tale about overreliance on short-term fixes rather than sustainable team building.

The 2012 Arizona Cardinals season, while forgettable on the field, laid the groundwork for future changes that would eventually reshape the franchise’s trajectory in the coming decade.