The Cardinals’ first half of the season: By the Numbers
Nov 5, 2015, 2:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer prepares to throw in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
(AP Photo/David Richard)
The Arizona Cardinals have played eight games, meaning they are officially at the midway point of their 2015 regular season. Heading into their bye week, the 6-2 Cards have earned a lot of accolades, exposed a few areas to improve and set some impressive paces. Here’s a look at the Cardinals’ season at the halfway point, by the numbers:
20
Carson Palmer is tied with Tom Brady for the most touchdown passes in the NFL this season at 20. No Cardinals QB has ever thrown more than 30 in a season.
13
The Cardinals lead the league with 13 interceptions. The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are the only other teams with double-digit interception totals.
12
Twelve different Cardinals have scored a touchdown so far this season. That number is made up of four wide receivers, three running backs, two tight ends, two safeties and one cornerback. Only the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints, who have each had 13 different players reach the end zone, have more.
998
The Cardinals are fifth in the NFL with 998 rushing yards, a number that is the most by the team in the first eight games of a season since 1988, when they ran for 1,198. Last season — in 16 games — the Cardinals tallied just 1,308 rushing yards, which was 31st in the league.
2,341
Just because they’re running the ball more doesn’t mean the Cardinals have given up on their passing game. The team is third in passing offense with 2,341 yards, and fourth with an average of 293 passing yards per game.
27
Including his first two seasons with the team, Bruce Arians has now guided the Cardinals to 27 wins since taking over as head coach. No coach in franchise history has more victories through their first 40 games.
676
If the season ended after eight games, Chris Johnson’s 676 rushing yards would put him at 43rd all-time for rushing yards in a single season by a Cardinal. Using the simplest of math, Johnson is on pace for 1,352 rushing yards, which would tie Ottis Anderson for third-most rushing yards in a single season by a Cardinal.
32
The Cardinals have scored 32 total touchdowns this season, a mark that equals the number of times they reached the end zone all of last season.
100
Johnson has rushed for at least 100 yards four times so far this season. No Cardinal has had that many 100-yard games in an entire season since 1985.
706
Back in 2005, 22-year-old Larry Fitzgerald set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season with 1,409 to go along with 10 touchdowns (not a record). At the halfway point of this season, Fitz has 706 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
32.9
The Cardinals are averaging 32.9 points per game, which is second in the league behind the New England Patriots, who are averaging 35.6 points per contest.
30
The Cardinals have scored at least 30 points in five of their eight games this season. The franchise record for efforts of 30 points or more is seven, which was accomplished in 1949, 1984 and 2008.
100
Carson Palmer has achieved a passer rating of at least 100 in six of eight games this season.
