The Arizona Cardinals ended their 2024 NFL campaign with an 8-9 record, a number that, frankly, feels like a bit of a trick. Depending on which week you checked the standings, this team either looked like a blossoming powerhouse or a squad fundamentally incapable of finishing a tackle.
They finished third in the NFC West. That sounds average, right? But the reality was way more of a roller coaster. This was a season defined by a massive mid-year surge, a devastating late-season collapse, and the realization that Kyler Murray is officially "back," even if the roster around him is still under construction.
The Mid-Season Magic That Fooled Us All
Honestly, for a few weeks in October and November, the Cardinals were the talk of the league. After a rocky 2-4 start, something just... clicked.
They went on a four-game tear that had fans checking playoff ticket prices. It wasn't just that they were winning; they were dominant. They dismantled the Rams 41-10 early on, but the real statement was the win streak against the Chargers, Dolphins, Bears, and Jets. By the time they hit their Week 11 bye, they sat at 6-4 and were leading the NFC West.
Kyler Murray was playing some of the most efficient football of his career. In that Week 10 win over the Jets, he completed 22 of 24 passes. That’s a 91.7% completion rate. You don't see that often. He was decisive, used his legs when necessary, and seemed to have a telepathic connection with Trey McBride.
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Breaking Down the Cardinals Record 2024 NFL Stats
If you look at the raw data, the Cardinals were actually a top-12 offense. They averaged 23.5 points per game, which ranked 12th in the league. Their rushing attack was even better, finishing 7th in total yards thanks to the relentless downhill running of James Conner.
- Final Record: 8-9
- Home Record: 6-3
- Away Record: 2-6 (This was the Achilles' heel)
- Division Record: 2-4
- Points For: 400
- Points Against: 379
The point differential was actually positive (+21), which usually suggests a team is better than its record. However, their inability to win on the road was staggering. They were a different team outside of State Farm Stadium.
The Playmakers Who Showed Up
Trey McBride has officially arrived. He finished the season with 111 catches for 1,146 yards. For a tight end, those are All-Pro caliber numbers. He became the safety blanket Murray needed, especially when rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. dealt with the typical ups and downs of a first-year receiver in the NFL.
Conner was the soul of the team again. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark (1,094 to be exact) and remained the guy they leaned on in short-yardage situations. On the defensive side, Budda Baker was... well, Budda Baker. 164 tackles. That’s an absurd number for a safety. He was everywhere, often cleaning up messes made by a front seven that struggled to generate consistent pressure.
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Why the Season Fell Apart
So, how does a 6-4 team finish 8-9? It was a slow-motion car crash.
After the bye week, the schedule got harder and the injuries started piling up. The offensive line, which had been surprisingly steady, lost Will Hernandez to an ACL tear and Jonah Williams to recurring knee issues. Suddenly, Murray was running for his life again.
They went 2-5 over their final seven games. The most painful loss was likely the Christmas-week heartbreaker against the Carolina Panthers, an overtime loss that effectively killed their playoff hopes. Following that up with a 13-9 loss to the Rams in Week 17 felt like a mercy killing.
The defense, led by Nick Rallis, showed flashes but lacked the depth to sustain a full season. They finished 21st in total yards allowed. While they were "bend-but-don't-break" for much of the middle of the season, they eventually just broke. They couldn't stop the run when it mattered, and the lack of a true alpha pass-rusher meant opposing quarterbacks had all day to find targets in the secondary.
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Lessons for the 2025 Offseason
Basically, the 2024 season proved that the Cardinals have the "hard part" figured out. They have the quarterback. They have a star tight end and a cornerstone left tackle in Paris Johnson Jr.
But the depth is paper-thin.
General Manager Monti Ossenfort has a lot of work to do this spring. The "must-have" list is pretty clear:
- A dominant edge rusher: You can't survive in the NFC West without someone who scares the opposing QB.
- Cornerback depth: Max Melton and Garrett Williams are good young pieces, but they need a veteran presence.
- Interior Defensive Line: They got pushed around too much in December.
The Cardinals record 2024 NFL results might look like a failure on paper, but if you've followed this team through the 4-13 years, 8-9 feels like progress. It's frustrating, sure. But for the first time in a long time, the foundation in Arizona doesn't feel like it's made of sand. They reached 600 franchise wins in the season finale against the 49ers—a 47-24 blowout that reminded everyone of what this team can be when they are clicking.
To keep tabs on how the roster reshuffles for next year, keep an eye on the waiver wire and early mock drafts. The Cardinals have the capital to be aggressive, and after a season that slipped through their fingers, expect the front office to be exactly that.