Arizona Cardinals · Franchise era 4 of 7
Finding a home in Arizona: the Arizona Cardinals story
Franchise era
1988—2003
Finding a home in Arizona
Arizona Cardinals
The story in one sentence
The move to the desert brought only one playoff appearance in sixteen seasons, though Williams became an all-time defender and Plummer authored a memorable upset in Dallas.
A new market waits for a stable winner
Aeneas Williams, Jake Plummer and Larry Centers gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for fitzgerald and the impossible run.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1988
What came before
St. Louis produced explosive, entertaining contenders in the 1970s but never found the postseason breakthrough needed to secure the franchise's future there.
1999-01-02
Wild Card: Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys
1999-01-10
Divisional Round: Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings
After 2003
What came next
Warner's revival and Fitzgerald's extraordinary 2008 postseason sent the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl and within one late drive of a championship.
The core