# 2024 Arizona Cardinals season
The 2024 [Arizona Cardinals](https://www.edgepedia.org/arizona-cardinals) season was the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league) franchise's 105th season and its second under head coach [Jonathan Gannon](https://www.edgepedia.org/jonathan-gannon) and general manager Monti Ossenfort.[12](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-finish-off-2024-season-by-rolling-over-49ers-kyler-murray) Arizona finished 8-9, third in the NFC West with a 3-3 division record, 400 points scored and 379 allowed, and missed the playoffs after leading the division at its bye week.[1](https://nfcwest.co/history/season/2024) • [2](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final record | 8-9, third place in the NFC West, 3-3 in division games, 400 points for and 379 against[1](https://nfcwest.co/history/season/2024) |
| Season arc | 1-3 start, then a four-game winning streak and first place in the NFC West at the Week 11 bye, followed by four losses in the final six games[2](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf) • [3](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/22/arizona-cardinals-exceed-2024-expectations-leading-nfc-west) |
| Quarterback | Kyler Murray, in his first full season since 2020, threw for 3,851 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 68.8% passing (93.5 rating)[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) |
| Leading rusher | James Conner, 1,094 yards on 236 carries (4.6 per carry) with 8 touchdowns[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) |
| Leading receiver | Tight end Trey McBride, 111 catches for 1,146 yards; rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. added 62 catches for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) |
| Draft | Marvin Harrison Jr. selected fourth overall, the first non-quarterback taken; Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson followed at No. 27[5](https://apnews.com/article/6f8dff81b41e8ce8d344e4b7ce4e1082) |
| Close games | 3-5 in one-score games; over the previous three seasons Arizona's 7-16 record in such games ranked second worst in the NFL[2](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf) |
## Expectations and roster
Arizona entered the season after two consecutive 4-13 finishes, and preseason projections placed the Cardinals last in a division that had supplied a [Super Bowl](https://www.edgepedia.org/super-bowl) representative in four of the previous six years.[3](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/22/arizona-cardinals-exceed-2024-expectations-leading-nfc-west) • [6](https://as.com/us/nfl/nfc-oeste-previa-de-49ers-rams-cardinals-y-seahawks-en-la-temporada-2024-de-la-nfl-n/) The team expected to have quarterback [Kyler Murray](https://www.edgepedia.org/kyler-murray) for an entire season for the first time since 2020, after he missed the first half of 2023 with a knee injury.[7](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/arizona-cardinals-release-official-2024-schedule)
**A young roster.** The 2024 season marked the second straight year in which Arizona fielded one of the NFL's youngest rosters, at an average age of 26.51 years.[8](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/cardinals/z9hc2w5hr6fyeff95log.pdf) In the April draft the Cardinals, holding the first pick not spent on a quarterback in a draft that saw a record-tying six QBs taken in the first 12 selections, chose Ohio State wide receiver [Marvin Harrison Jr.](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvin-harrison-jr) at No. 4, the son of Hall of Fame receiver [Marvin Harrison](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvin-harrison), and added Missouri edge rusher [Darius Robinson](https://www.edgepedia.org/darius-robinson) at No. 27.[5](https://apnews.com/article/6f8dff81b41e8ce8d344e4b7ce4e1082)
## Schedule highlights
The schedule opened on September 8 at the [Buffalo Bills](https://www.edgepedia.org/buffalo-bills), a 28-34 loss, followed by the home opener against the [Los Angeles Rams](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-rams), a 41-10 win.[9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/) Arizona returned to primetime after having no national night games in 2023, hosting the [Los Angeles Chargers](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-chargers) on Monday Night Football in Week 7 and winning 17-15.[7](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/arizona-cardinals-release-official-2024-schedule) • [9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/) The bye fell in Week 11, ten games into the season.[7](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/arizona-cardinals-release-official-2024-schedule)
## Season summary
**A rough start.** Arizona lost three of its first four games, including a 14-42 home defeat to the [Washington Commanders](https://www.edgepedia.org/washington-commanders) in Week 4, the team's most lopsided loss of the year.[9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/)
**The midseason surge.** From Week 7 through Week 10 the Cardinals won four straight, beating the Chargers 17-15, the Dolphins 28-27 in Miami, the Bears 29-9, and the Jets 31-6. At 6-4 they held first place in the [NFC West](https://www.edgepedia.org/nfc-west) entering the bye, having overcome low preseason expectations.[9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/) • [3](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/22/arizona-cardinals-exceed-2024-expectations-leading-nfc-west) The offense ran the ball effectively during this stretch; Arizona ranked among the league's top rushing teams, with more rushing yards than every team except the Eagles, Ravens, Lions, and Packers.[3](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/22/arizona-cardinals-exceed-2024-expectations-leading-nfc-west)
**The collapse.** After the bye Arizona lost four of its final six games, including a 6-16 defeat in Seattle, a 22-23 loss at Minnesota, and a 9-13 Week 17 defeat to the Rams at [SoFi Stadium](https://www.edgepedia.org/sofi-stadium) that left Los Angeles on the verge of the division title.[2](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf) • [9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/) • [10](https://as.com/us/nfl/los-rams-ganan-la-nfc-oeste-al-vencer-a-los-cardinals-en-la-semana-17-n/) By December 23, with two weeks remaining, the Cardinals were officially out of the playoff race.[11](https://apnews.com/article/b0eb0dd8d0d06c041460f7242efcc771) The season closed with a 47-24 home win over the [San Francisco 49ers](https://www.edgepedia.org/san-francisco-49ers) on January 5, 2025.[9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/)
**Close-game record.** Arizona went 3-5 in games decided by one score, and its 7-16 record in one-score games over the previous three seasons ranked second worst in the league, a factor in the gap between the 6-4 midseason position and the 8-9 finish.[2](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf)
## Team statistics and individual leaders
The offense produced 6,090 total yards (2,451 rushing, 3,859 passing) and 42 touchdowns, with a turnover ratio of -3; the defense allowed 5,823 total yards and 39 touchdowns.[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) Murray also rushed for 572 yards and 5 touchdowns on 78 carries. Behind Conner, rookie Trey Benson added 291 rushing yards.[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) Defensively, safety Budda Baker led with 164 total tackles (95 solo), linebacker Zaven Collins had a team-high 5 sacks, and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting recorded 3 interceptions.[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg) Kicker Chad Ryland made 28 of 32 field goal attempts, including 4 of 4 from 50 to 59 yards.[4](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg)
## Preseason
Arizona lost all three preseason games: 14-16 to the New Orleans Saints at home on August 10, 13-21 at the Indianapolis Colts on August 17, and 12-38 at the Denver Broncos on August 25.[9](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/)
## References
1. [NFC West 2024 Season: Standings & Champion, NFCWEST.CO](https://nfcwest.co/history/season/2024)
2. [NFL Preview (2025), Clev Analytics](https://clevanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NFL-Preview-Final.pdf)
3. [Cards lead division after starting season with low expectations, Axios Phoenix (Nov 22, 2024)](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/22/arizona-cardinals-exceed-2024-expectations-leading-nfc-west)
4. [Arizona Cardinals Team Stats, 2024 Regular Season, AZCardinals.com](https://www.azcardinals.com/team/stats/2024/reg)
5. [NFL Draft Latest: Caleb Williams to Bears, record six QBs taken in first 12 picks, AP News (Apr 25, 2024)](https://apnews.com/article/6f8dff81b41e8ce8d344e4b7ce4e1082)
6. [NFC Oeste: Previa de 49ers, Rams, Cardinals y Seahawks en la temporada 2024 de la NFL, AS.com](https://as.com/us/nfl/nfc-oeste-previa-de-49ers-rams-cardinals-y-seahawks-en-la-temporada-2024-de-la-nfl-n/)
7. [Cardinals Release Official 2024 Schedule, AZCardinals.com (May 15, 2024)](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/arizona-cardinals-release-official-2024-schedule)
8. [Arizona Cardinals 2025 Media Guide, NFL.com](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/cardinals/z9hc2w5hr6fyeff95log.pdf)
9. [Cardinals Historical 2024 Schedule, AZCardinals.com](https://www.azcardinals.com/schedule/2024/)
10. [Los Rams están más cerca de ganar la NFC Oeste al vencer a los Cardinals en la Semana 17, AS.com](https://as.com/us/nfl/los-rams-ganan-la-nfc-oeste-al-vencer-a-los-cardinals-en-la-semana-17-n/)
11. [On Football: Falcons and Buccaneers flip spots atop the NFC South and playoff races tighten up, AP News (Dec 23, 2024)](https://apnews.com/article/b0eb0dd8d0d06c041460f7242efcc771)
12. [Cardinals Finish Off Season By Rolling Over 49ers, azcardinals.com](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-finish-off-2024-season-by-rolling-over-49ers-kyler-murray)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › National Football League › NFL teams and franchises › NFL team seasons 2020 to present*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license