2015 was an electrifying year for Arizona Cardinals fans. There was excitement every week the Red Birds took the field and the roster was loaded with talent.
During the regular season, the Cardinals looked like a dominant team. Their defense played hard and the offense was electric. The backfield was comprised of a young emerging rookie in David Johnson and a long-tenured veteran running back in Chris Johnson. The air attack was highlighted by the lethal vintage play of Larry Fitzgerald, the looming deep threat of 3rd-year receiver John Brown, as well as the aggressiveness of former first-round receiver Michael Floyd. The defense was a brick wall to opposing teams comprised of fan-favorites in Calais Campbell and freshly signed veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney. The tandem of shutdown play by defensive backs Patrick Peterson, Rashad Johnson, and Tyrann Mathieu was a lethal combination that frightened opposing quarterbacks. This talent took the Cardinals to new and promising heights during that year. Let’s take a look at the glorious, yet heartbreaking playoff run during the Cardinals’ 2015 season.
It’s now been 7 years, but the 2015 Cardinals were special
The Cardinals finished the 2015 regular season at 13-3, taking the NFC West crown and securing a first-round playoff bye as the No.2 seed in the playoffs.
Under Bruce Arians, the Cardinals were set to take on the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs at University of Phoenix Stadium. In what was a stalemate for half of the matchup, the Packers and Cardinals exchanged scoring drives during the second half of the game. The Carson Palmer vs Aaron Rodgers showdown became a shootout with each team needing their offense to make plays in the nail-biting contest.
Both defenses played exceptionally, providing pressure and shutting down running lanes. The Packers took away the Cardinals’ run game, while the Cardinals took away Aaron Rodger’s arm. But after a breakdown in the secondary late in the fourth quarter, Rodgers completed a 51-yard pass to Jeff Janis to convert a crucial 4th down. Then with 4 seconds left in regulation, Rodgers threw a Hail Mary pass to Jeff Janis and he ripped the ball down between Rashad Johnson and Patrick Peterson to tie it all up. It was truly a stunning ending to what seemed like a game well in hand for the Cards.
After the dramatic finish to regulation, the Cardinals won the coin toss as they entered overtime. On the very first play of overtime, the 36-year-old Palmer threw a beautiful pass to Fitzgerald on the opposite side of the field and Fitz ran the ball down the field before being slammed down at the 5-yard line. Then on the very next play, Fitzgerald caught a shovel pass and took it into the end-zone. The stadium went wild and the Cardinals punched their ticket to the NFC Championship game and a chance to play in their franchise’s second Super Bowl.
1/16/16 – After a bye, the Cardinals opened the playoffs w/a 26-20 OT win over the Green Bay Packers which included two Aaron Rogers Hail Mary's. Larry Fitzgerald caught a 75yd pass in OT & then the 5yd game-winning TD – Carson Palmer's first career playoff win. #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/Uj9KTJIXel
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) January 16, 2023
The 2015 season ended in heartbreak
Many Cardinals fans remember all too well how the glorious 2015 season ended. The Cardinals were riding momentum after a big win against Green Bay but unfortunately, the hopes for a Super Bowl ended in abysmal fashion in Charlotte, North Carolina.
After going 14-2 on the season, the Panthers were led by All-Pro quarterback Cam Newton and had home-field throughout the playoffs. The Panthers had All-Pro caliber players at various positions throughout their lineup. Players by the likes of Josh Norman, Johnathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechley, and Kwann Short all had career years in Carolina and contributed to their Super Bowl run that season.
After the first half, the Cardinals were already losing 24-7 and had committed turnover after turnover. The team never found its footing and fell apart in all phases of the game. It was a gut-wrenching finish to the most promising season in years for many Cardinals fans.
Hopefully, the Cardinals will find the same magic that propelled them during the 2015 season. Only next time, they can finish the job and hoist the Lombardi at the end of the day.
