Arizona Cardinals
The NFL's perenial last place team, the Cardinals are a team with a long history, and one that unfortunately includes mostly losing. Established in 1920 as the Chicago Cardinals, they always played second fiddle to the crosstown Bears in the league's early days. The Cardinals generally struggled in their early years, except for a surprising championship in 1925. The team won an NFL championship in 1947 against the Eagles for their only title. They lost the rematch in the 1948 title game, in a low scoring 7-0 matchup. In 1960, the team moved to St. Louis, which did little to change their fortunes. The team had its best years in franchise history in the mid-70s with Jim Hart under center, achieving 3 straight playoff berths from 1974-76. The team also had a playoff berth in the strike shortened 1982 season. However, with the team still a poor franchise and, with St. Louis refusing to pay for a new stadium, the team moved to Phoenix for the 1988 season, first calling themselves the Phoenix Cardinals, then switching to the name Arizona Cardinals in 1994. The team failed to post a .500 season from 1985-97, but finally broke through with a playoff berth in 1998, their most recent postseason apperance. That year, the team went 9-7 and pulled off a 1st round upset of the Cowboys. Since then, the team has returned to its losing ways. However, they are currently building a good offense and their might be hope on the horizon for this team.
"The Arizona Cardinals have pulled up a gigantic playoff upset! In their first postseason apperance in 16 years, the defeat Dallas and are moving on to the next round."
Arizona Cardinals by Sports Info July 7, 2006
