The 2016 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 97th in the National Football League, their 118th overall, their 29th in Arizona, their 11th at University of Phoenix Stadium and their fourth under head coach Bruce Arians.
In free agency, they signed veteran defensive back Tyvon Branch and veteran lineman Evan Mathis, while re-signing several key players. They traded for Chandler Jones from the New England Patriots, sending Jonathan Cooper and a late second-round pick to New England.
The Cardinals came into the 2016 season with expectations of improving on their 2015 campaign and reaching the Super Bowl. However, after a 1–3 start, they suffered injuries to quarterback Carson Palmer and most of the offensive line. On October 23, the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks played out a 6–6 tie; this was the Cardinals' first tie since 1986 when they were the St. Louis Cardinals. It was also the lowest-scoring NFL tie since overtime was introduced in 1974. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15 after a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Despite winning their final two games, the Cardinals ended the season with a losing record at 7–8–1. Because the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, their first title in 108 years, the Cardinals also finished the season with the longest active championship drought in the four major American professional sports, with their last championship in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals.
Notes
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
With Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suspended and Jimmy Garoppolo starting, the Cardinals were huge favorites to win. The game was close, but was lost last minute, with a missed game-winning Cardinals field goal.
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
This was the Cardinals' first win over the Jets since 1975, when the Cardinals were based in St. Louis, Missouri.
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Cardinals placekicker Chandler Catanzaro and Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka each miss game winning field goals as the game finishes in a 6-6 tie and the Cardinals earn their first tie since the 1986 season.
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
In a rematch of the NFC championship, the Panthers led by as much as 24 points until Arizona ended the game by cutting the lead to 10.
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
This was the Cardinals' first loss to the Dolphins since 1999.
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
With the close loss, the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Despite losing running back David Johnson to a knee injury in the first quarter, Arizona still managed to blow out the Rams, 44-6 to finish the year at 7-8-1.
