ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals hope home schedule ends on a high note

Dec 19, 2012, 10:51 PM | Updated: 11:02 pm

The Arizona Cardinals wrap up their 2012 home schedule on Sunday when they host the Chicago Bears at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Despite enduring a nine-game losing streak this season and finishing well out of the playoff hunt, the players and coaches have always prided themselves on hard work and effort. According to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, that will be no different this weekend.

“Well, I mean I think where we are in this season, it’s very important,” he said. “You know I think we did a good job last week of getting back to playing the type of football we needed to against a good team and we gotta do that this week.”

The win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday snapped Arizona’s losing skid and gave the Cardinals just their fourth win at home this season.

“This will be a challenge with Chicago but you know it’s important,” Whisenhunt said. “I think playing at home, you gotta be good at home.

“For the most part we’ve been able to do that, although we’ve had our struggles this year, that’s important to us.”

Both the coaches and the players also emphasized that finishing on a good note at home is important for their fans. Through thick and thin, this fan base has come out and supported the Cardinals.

“The fans here are so great; they always support us,” said veteran safety Kerry Rhodes. “Even last week was a sellout which is remarkable after the stretch we’ve been through. For us it’s about getting better, improving on what we did last week and giving the fans something to cheer about.”

Since moving into University of Phoenix Stadium before the 2006 season, the Cardinals hold a 36-22 home record, including postseason. If this week’s game against the Bears is a sellout, it will be the team’s 73rd straight in the building, including preseason games, too.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

23 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals hope home schedule ends on a high note