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1991 Phoenix Cardinals season - Wikipedia

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1991 Phoenix Cardinals season
OwnerBill Bidwill
General managerLarry Wilson
Head coachJoe Bugel
Home fieldSun Devil Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place5th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersSS Tim McDonald
P Rich Camarillo

The 1991 Phoenix Cardinals season was the 72nd season the team was in the National Football League (NFL). The team failed to improve on their previous output of 5–11, winning only four games. After beginning the season 2–0, the Cardinals suffered a tough schedule and lost their last eight matches to finish 4–12.[1] This was the ninth consecutive season the Cardinals failed to qualify to the playoffs.

The Cardinals’ 196 points scored is the lowest total in franchise history for a 16-game season.[2]

1991 Phoenix Cardinals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 6 Eric Swann *  Defensive tackle Wake Technical CC
2 32 Mike Jones  Defensive end North Carolina State
3 59 Aeneas Williams * †  Cornerback Southern
4 86 Dexter Davis  Cornerback Clemson
5 117 Vince Hammond  Defensive tackle Clemson
6 144 Eduardo Vega  Offensive tackle Memphis
7 171 Ivory Lee Brown  Running back Arkansas–Pine Bluff
8 198 Greg Amsler  Running back Tennessee
8 204 Jerry Evans  Tight end Toledo
8 209 Scott Evans  Defensive end Oklahoma
10 255 Herbie Anderson  Defensive back Texas A&I
11 282 Nathan LaDuke  Defensive back Arizona State
12 309 Jeff Bridewell  Quarterback UC Davis
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[3]

Undrafted free agents

[edit]

1991 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Donn Grimm Linebacker Notre Dame
1991 Phoenix Cardinals staff

Front office

  • President – Bill Bidwill
  • Vice president and general manager – Larry Wilson
  • Director of pro personnel – Erik Widmark
  • Director of player personnel – George Boone

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
1991 Phoenix 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

47 active, 5 inactive, 4 practice squad Reserve

Rookies in italics

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 August 3 at Seattle Seahawks W 31–13 1–0 Kingdome 49,448
2 August 11 at Chicago Bears W 12–10 2–0 Soldier Field 55,513
3 August 17 New England Patriots W 46–0 3–0 Sun Devil Stadium 51,070
4 August 23 Denver Broncos W 34–10 4–0 Sun Devil Stadium 38,372

[4]

The 1991 Cardinals suffered from a very tough schedule playing in a powerful NFC East that provided the first four Super Bowl winners of the 1990s, and seven of ten between 1986 and 1995. Football statistics site Football Outsiders calculated that the 1991 Cardinals played the second-toughest schedule[note 1] based on strength of opponent of any NFL team between 1989 and 2013,[5] although Pro Football Reference argues that the 1991 Cardinals suffered the ninth toughest non-strike schedule since 1971.[note 2] The Cardinals played just two games against opponents with losing records – both amongst their first five games and both won – whilst ten opponents including all their last five finished 10–6 or better.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 1 at Los Angeles Rams W 24–14 1–0 Anaheim Stadium 47,069 Recap
2 September 8 at Philadelphia Eagles W 26–10 2–0 Veterans Stadium 63,818 Recap
3 September 15 at Washington Redskins L 0–34 2–1 RFK Stadium 54,662 Recap
4 September 22 Dallas Cowboys L 9–17 2–2 Sun Devil Stadium 68,814 Recap
5 September 29 New England Patriots W 24–10 3–2 Sun Devil Stadium 26,043 Recap
6 October 6 at New York Giants L 9–20 3–3 Giants Stadium 75,891 Recap
7 October 13 at Minnesota Vikings L 7–34 3–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 51,209 Recap
8 October 20 Atlanta Falcons W 16–10 4–4 Sun Devil Stadium 29,804 Recap
9 October 27 Minnesota Vikings L 0–28 4–5 Sun Devil Stadium 45,447 Recap
10 November 3 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–27 4–6 Texas Stadium 61,190 Recap
11 November 10 New York Giants L 14–21 4–7 Sun Devil Stadium 50,048 Recap
12 November 17 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–14 4–8 Candlestick Park 50,180 Recap
13 November 24 Philadelphia Eagles L 14–34 4–9 Sun Devil Stadium 37,307 Recap
14 Bye
15 December 8 Washington Redskins L 14–20 4–10 Sun Devil Stadium 48,373 Recap
16 December 15 at Denver Broncos L 19–24 4–11 Mile High Stadium 74,098 Recap
17 December 22 New Orleans Saints L 3–27 4–12 Sun Devil Stadium 30,928 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: at Los Angeles Rams

[edit]

Week 1: Phoenix Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

at Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST/2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 47,069
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • LA – Robert Delpino 1-yard run (Tony Zendejas kick). Cardinals 14–7.
  • PHO – Tom Tupa 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 21–7.

Third quarter

  • LA – Robert Delpino 1-yard run (Tony Zendejas kick). Cardinals 21–14.

Fourth quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 32-yard field goal. Cardinals 24–14.

Top passers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 10/18, 124 yards, TD
  • LA – Jim Everett – 25/35, 290 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • PHO – Anthony Thompson – 29 rushes, 60 yards
  • LA – Robert Delpino – 15 rushes, 81 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 52-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
  • PHO – Johnny Johnson 51-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 10–0.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–0.

Second quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 22-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–0.
  • PHI – Thomas Sanders 3-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick). Cardinals 16–7.
  • PHI – Roger Ruzek 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10.

Third quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 42-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–10.

Fourth quarter

  • PHO – Rod Saddler 7-yard fumble return (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 26–10.

Top passers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 6/19, 218 yards, TD, INT
  • PHI – Jim McMahon – 19/34, 173 yards

Top rushers

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 19 rushes, 54 yards
  • PHI – Thomas Sanders – 15 rushes, 43 yards

Top receivers

Week 3: at Washington Redskins

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • WAS – Ricky Sanders 10-yard run (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 14–0.

Third quarter

  • WAS – Gary Clark 28-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 21–0.
  • WAS – Wilber Marshall 55-yard interception return (Chip Lohmiller kick). Redskins 28–0.

Fourth quarter

  • WAS – Chip Lohmiller 30-yard field goal. Redskins 31–0.
  • WAS – Chip Lohmiller 48-yard field goal. Redskins 34–0.

Top passers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 13/24, 120 yards, 3 INT
  • WAS – Mark Rypien – 15/23, 181 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 8 rushes, 27 yards
  • WAS – Earnest Byner – 23 rushes, 109 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • PHO – Tim Jorden – 5 receptions, 36 yards
  • WAS – Gary Clark – 5 receptions, 72 yards, TD

Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 60-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 7–0.
  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 60-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 14–0.

Second quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 32-yard field goal. Cowboys 14–3.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 32-yard field goal. Cowboys 14–6.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 29-yard field goal. Cowboys 14–9.
  • DAL – Ken Willis 41-yard field goal. Cowboys 17–9.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • DAL – Emmitt Smith – 23 rushes, 182 yards, 2 TD
  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 24 rushes, 92 yards

Top receivers

Week 5: vs. New England Patriots

[edit]

Week 5: New England Patriots at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 26,043
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Jason Staurovsky 39-yard field goal. Cardinals 14–10.
  • PHO – Ricky Proehl 62-yard pass from Tom Tupa (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 21–10.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 47-yard field goal. Cardinals 24–10.

Top passers

  • NE – Hugh Millen – 12/21, 115 yards
  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 17/28, 312 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NE – Jon Vaughn – 7 rushes, 61 yards
  • PHO – Anthony Thompson – 26 rushes, 98 yards

Top receivers

  • NE – Marv Cook – 6 receptions, 42 yards
  • PHO – Ernie Jones – 8 receptions, 145 yards, TD

Week 6: at New York Giants

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NYG – Matt Bahr 30-yard field goal. Giants 17–3.

Third quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 40-yard field goal. Giants 17–6.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 29-yard field goal. Giants 17–9.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Matt Bahr 27-yard field goal. Giants 20–9.

Top passers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 23/40, 230 yards, 2 INT
  • NYG – Jeff Hostetler – 14/18, 200 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 14 rushes, 73 yards
  • NYG – Rodney Hampton – 22 rushes, 137 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 7: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Herschel Walker 1-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick). Vikings 14–0.
  • MIN – Rich Gannon 18-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 20–0.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Anthony Carter 3-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Fuad Reveiz kick). Vikings 27–0.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 21/36, 240 yards
  • MIN – Rich Gannon – 23/31, 254 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 3 rushes, 22 yards
  • MIN – Rich Gannon – 5 rushes, 34 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • PHO – Ernie Jones – 6 receptions, 67 yards
  • MIN – Cris Carter – 6 receptions, 118 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons

[edit]

Week 8: Atlanta Falcons at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 29,804
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Norm Johnson 29-yard field goal. Falcons 10–3.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 51-yard field goal. Cardinals 13–10.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 49-yard field goal. Cardinals 16–10.

Top passers

  • ATL – Chris Miller – 13/35, 220 yards, TD, 4 INT
  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 9/23, 139 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Andre Rison – 5 receptions, 91 yards
  • PHO – Randal Hill – 2 receptions, 47 yards, TD

Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 45,447
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Herschel Walker 1-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick). Vikings 21–0.
  • MIN – Herschel Walker 5-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick). Vikings 28–0.

Top passers

  • MIN – Rich Gannon – 17/26, 142 yards, TD, INT
  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 12/30, 123 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • MIN – Herschel Walker – 17 rushes, 79 yards, 3 TD
  • PHO – Anthony Thompson – 6 rushes, 26 yards

Top receivers

Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Week 10: Phoenix Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,190
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – Ken Willis 36-yard field goal. Cowboys 3–0.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 17–7.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Ken Willis 27-yard field goal. Cowboys 20–7.
  • DAL – Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Ken Willis kick). Cowboys 27–7.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 19 rushes, 89 yards, TD
  • DAL – Emmitt Smith – 22 rushes, 62 yards, 3 TD

Top receivers

Week 11: vs. New York Giants

[edit]

Week 11: New York Giants at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 10
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 50,048
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • NYG – Jeff Hostetler 4-yard run (Raul Allegre kick). Giants 21–7.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • NYG – Jeff Hostetler – 12/21, 124 yards
  • PHO – Tom Tupa – 15/25, 175 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • NYG – Rodney Hampton – 24 rushes, 99 yards, TD
  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 14 rushes, 37 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 12: at San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • SF – Tom Rathman 1-yard run (Mike Cofer kick). 49ers 14–3.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • PHO – Stan Gelbaugh – 14/26, 156 yards, TD
  • SF – Steve Bono – 20/35, 187 yards

Top rushers

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 12 rushes, 32 yards
  • SF – Keith Henderson – 15 rushes, 51 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

Week 13: Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 37,307
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • PHO – Lorenzo Lynch 35-yard interception return (Greg Davis kick). Eagles 20–14.

Third quarter

  • PHI – Keith Jackson 29-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Roger Ruzek kick). Eagles 27–14.

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – Keith Byars 14-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick). Eagles 34–14.

Top passers

  • PHI – Jim McMahon – 10/25, 162 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
  • PHO – Stan Gelbaugh – 19/39, 193 yards, TD, 4 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • PHI – Fred Barnett – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD
  • PHO – Randal Hill – 7 receptions, 80 yards

Week 15: vs. Washington Redskins

[edit]

Week 15: Washington Redskins at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 48,373
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • PHO – Johnny Johnson 1-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 7–0.
  • PHO – Johnny Johnson 3-yard run (Greg Davis kick). Cardinals 14–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • WAS – Chip Lohmiller 42-yard field goal. Redskins 17–14.
  • WAS – Chip Lohmiller 27-yard field goal. Redskins 20–14.

Top passers

  • WAS – Mark Rypien – 22/33, 256 yards, 2 TD
  • PHO – Stan Gelbaugh – 11/21, 111 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • WAS – Earnest Byner – 25 rushes, 116 yards
  • PHO – Johnny Johnson – 13 rushes, 48 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

Week 16: at Denver Broncos

[edit]

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DEN – David Treadwell 18-yard field goal. Broncos 10–0.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 33-yard field goal. Broncos 10–3.

Third quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 45-yard field goal. Broncos 10–6.
  • DEN – Steve Sewell 8-yard run (David Treadwell kick). Broncos 17–6.
  • PHO – Ernie Jones 45-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Greg Davis kick). Broncos 17–13.

Fourth quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 28-yard field goal. Broncos 17–16.
  • PHO – Greg Davis 28-yard field goal. Cardinals 19–17.
  • DEN – John Elway 4-yard run (David Treadwell kick). Broncos 24–19.

Top passers

  • PHO – Chris Chandler – 15/32, 194 yards, TD
  • DEN – John Elway – 19/33, 245 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • PHO – Ernie Jones – 4 receptions, 84 yards, TD
  • DEN – Vance Johnson – 4 receptions, 58 yards

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

[edit]

Week 17: New Orleans Saints at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: December 22
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 30,928
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • PHO – Greg Davis 38-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.

Second quarter

  • NO – Morten Andersen 27-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
  • NO – Dalton Hilliard 2-yard run (Morten Andersen kick). Saints 10–3.
  • NO – Morten Anderson 39-yard field goal. Saints 13–3.

Third quarter

  • NO – Buford Jordan 3-yard run (Morten Andersen kick). Saints 20–3.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • NO – Bobby Hebert – 12/24, 100 yards, TD, INT
  • PHO – Stan Gelbaugh – 12/24, 128 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Buford Jordan – 4 rushes, 38 yards, TD
  • PHO – Anthony Thompson – 7 rushes, 28 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – Floyd Turner – 4 receptions, 47 yards, TD
  • PHO – Randal Hill – 5 receptions, 65 yards
NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Washington Redskins 14 2 0 .875 6–2 10–2 485 224 L1
(5) Dallas Cowboys 11 5 0 .688 5–3 8–4 342 310 W5
Philadelphia Eagles 10 6 0 .625 5–3 6–6 285 244 W1
New York Giants 8 8 0 .500 3–5 5–7 281 297 W1
Phoenix Cardinals 4 12 0 .250 1–7 3–11 196 344 L8
  1. ^ The toughest schedule between 1989 and 2013 according to Football Outsiders was played by the 2004 Cleveland Browns.
  2. ^ Tougher schedules according to Pro Football Reference in non-strike seasons since 1971 were suffered by, in descending order of toughness, the 2010 Buffalo Bills, the 1975 Cleveland Browns and 1975 New York Jets (equal), the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2010 Miami Dolphins, the 1979 Cincinnati Bengals, the 1977 Kansas City Chiefs and the 1973 San Francisco 49ers.