We continue the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals' regular season. Today, Saturday, September 5, is eight days away from the Arizona Cardinals' regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With eight days until Week 1, let's look back at the 2008 season for the Cardinals.
A look back at the 2008 season for the Cardinals
2008 was perhaps the most special season in the Cardinals' history. It certainly was the most memorable of all the years they have been in Arizona. It was the year they went to and almost won the Super Bowl.
It took two heartbreaking plays — James Harrison's interception returned for a touchdown as the first half ended and Santonio Holmes' toe-tapping touchdown catch in the final minute — for the Cardinals to lose to the Pittsburgh
Steelers.
However, the regular season wasn't great. They started the season 7-3 and were in control of the division, but they lost four of their final six games and basically backed their way into the playoffs in an NFC West that wasn't that great. They were called the worst playoff team ever.
Their offense was great, coming in third in scoring and fourth in yards, but the defense was 28th in points allowed.
They scored over 30 points in all three postseason wins to get to the Super Bowl.
2008 individual honors, leaders
The Cardinals had five Pro Bowlers in 2008:
- QB Kurt Warner
- WR Larry Fitzgerald
- WR Anquan Boldin
- S Adrian Wilson
- WR Sean Morey (for special teams)
Fitzgerald was a first-team All-Pro, and Wilson was on the All-Pro second team.
Warner set a Cardinals passing record with 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns. Both marks were beaten by Carson Palmer in 2015.
The running game wasn't great. Edgerrin James led the way with 514 yards, with rookie Tim Hightower not far behind at 399 yards.
The Cardinals had three 1,000-yard receivers. Fitzgerald caught 96 passes for 1,431 yards and led the NFL with 12 touchdown receptions. Boldin had 89 catches for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns. Steve Breaston had 77 catches for 1,006 yards and three scores.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby led the defense with 119 total tackles. Bertrand Berry led the team with five sacks. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie led the team with four picks and 19 pass breakups.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 8 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 2008 season
