What Is 2018 Arizona Cardinals football team

Overview

The 2018 Arizona Cardinals were an NFL team representing the franchise in its 99th season and 31st in Arizona. Competing in the National Football Conference (NFC) West, they struggled throughout the season, finishing with one of the worst records in the league.

Under first-year head coach Steve Wilks, the team failed to improve upon their 8-8 record from 2017. Offensive inconsistency and defensive breakdowns contributed to a disappointing campaign that led to major changes in leadership and roster.

• Record: The team ended the season with a 3-13 win-loss record, the worst for the franchise since 2012.
• Head coach:Steve Wilks was hired in February 2018 but was fired after just one season despite winning NFL Coach of the Year honors earlier that year.
• Home stadium: Played all home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, formerly known as University of Phoenix Stadium.
• Draft pick: Selected quarterback Josh Rosen from UCLA with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
• Points scored: The offense managed only 229 total points, averaging 14.3 per game, ranking 30th out of 32 teams.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2018 season was marked by instability, injuries, and underperformance on both sides of the ball. Despite high hopes for a turnaround with a new coaching staff, the team never found consistency.

• Opening game: Lost 20-16 to the Washington Redskins in Week 1, setting the tone for a difficult season.
• Quarterback rotation: Started three different QBs—Sam Bradford, Josh Rosen, and Josh McCown—due to injury and performance issues.
• Winless streak: Suffered an eight-game losing streak from Week 4 to Week 11, the longest for the team since 2012.
• Defensive ranking: Allowed 427 points (26.7 per game), ranking 31st in the NFL in points allowed.
• Division performance: Went 1-5 in NFC West games, defeating only the 49ers in Week 13.
• Final game: Ended the season with a 38-35 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17, finishing 3-13 overall.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Cardinals compared to other teams in the NFC West and league-wide in key statistical categories:

The Cardinals ranked near the bottom in nearly every major statistical category. Their point differential of -198 was the second-worst in the NFL, behind only the Cleveland Browns. While the Rams dominated the division, Arizona struggled to compete week-to-week, often losing games in the final minutes due to defensive lapses and poor clock management.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a pivotal year for the franchise, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a rebuild. The poor performance triggered sweeping changes in coaching and front-office leadership.

• Coaching change: Steve Wilks was fired, and Kliff Kingsbury was hired in 2019 as the new head coach.
• Quarterback future: The struggles of Josh Rosen led to his trade in 2019 for draft picks.
• Draft position: The 3-13 record secured the 1st overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, used on quarterback Kyler Murray.
• Front office shift:Steve Keim remained GM, but the team restructured its scouting and analytics departments.
• Stadium upgrades: State Farm Stadium underwent renovations to improve fan experience ahead of future seasons.
• Rebuilding phase: The 2018 season marked the start of a full organizational reset, culminating in a playoff return by 2021.

The 2018 Arizona Cardinals may be remembered for their on-field struggles, but the season laid the foundation for a long-term rebuild that eventually revitalized the franchise.