What Is 2020 Arizona Cardinals football team

Overview

The 2020 Arizona Cardinals were a professional NFL team representing Arizona in the National Football League's 101st season. Competing in the NFC West division, they were led by second-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury and star quarterback Kyler Murray, who was entering his second season after winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.

The team showed significant offensive improvement compared to previous years, powered by a fast-paced, pass-heavy scheme. Despite a promising start and several high-scoring games, they ultimately failed to secure a playoff berth, finishing with a .500 record.

• 8-8 record: The Cardinals ended the regular season with four consecutive wins but couldn’t overcome early-season losses that kept them out of postseason contention.
• Kyler Murray: The starting quarterback threw for 3,971 yards and 26 touchdowns, with only 12 interceptions, showing major development in his second year.
• DeAndre Hopkins trade: Acquired in March 2020 from the Houston Texans, Hopkins became the team’s top receiver with 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and 6 touchdowns.
• State Farm Stadium: Located in Glendale, Arizona, it served as the home venue for all eight of the team’s home games during the pandemic-affected season.
• Defensive struggles: The defense allowed an average of 27.8 points per game, ranking 29th in the league and undermining the strong offensive output.

How It Works

The 2020 Arizona Cardinals operated under Kliff Kingsbury’s innovative offensive system, emphasizing quick passes, RPOs (run-pass options), and mobility for the quarterback. This approach maximized Kyler Murray’s dual-threat abilities and reshaped the team’s identity around speed and tempo.

• Offensive Scheme: Kingsbury employed a version of the air raid offense, focusing on short, high-percentage throws to spread the field and control tempo.
• Quarterback Mobility: Kyler Murray rushed for 544 yards and 4 touchdowns, using designed runs and scrambles to extend plays and challenge defenses.
• Wide Receiver Usage: DeAndre Hopkins was targeted 179 times, the most in the NFL that season, highlighting his central role in the passing attack.
• Run Game Strategy: Kenyan Drake was the lead running back, rushing for 693 yards and 6 touchdowns on 172 carries before being traded midseason.
• Defensive Formation: The team primarily used a 3-4 base defense, but struggled with consistency, allowing 4.8 yards per carry on average.
• Special Teams: Placekicker Chad Ryland was not on the roster; instead, Wil Lutz filled in briefly before Zane Gonzalez became the primary kicker.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2020 Cardinals compared to other NFC West teams in key statistical categories:

The Cardinals scored slightly above the league average in points (416 vs. 408) but allowed far more than the average (445). Their division rivals, particularly the Rams and Seahawks, had more balanced teams, which helped them secure playoff spots. Arizona’s inability to tighten defensively cost them a shot at the postseason despite offensive fireworks.

Why It Matters

The 2020 season was a pivotal year for the Cardinals, demonstrating both the promise of their young core and the gaps that remained. It marked the first full season with Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins together, setting the stage for future expectations.

• The team’s 8-8 record showed improvement from 2019’s 5-11 but highlighted the need for defensive upgrades.
• Kyler Murray’s development proved the 2019 #1 overall draft pick was a cornerstone for the franchise’s future.
• The acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins signaled a shift toward building a win-now offense around elite talent.
• Missed playoffs despite high scoring emphasized the importance of two-way team balance in the NFL.
• The season helped solidify Kliff Kingsbury’s role as head coach, with ownership expressing confidence in his system.
• It set the foundation for future roster moves, including drafting Zaven Collins in 2021 to strengthen the defense.

The 2020 Arizona Cardinals season was a transitional chapter—offensively exciting but defensively flawed—providing valuable lessons for a team aiming to become a consistent playoff contender in the years to come.