With the win, the Cardinals were the only NFC West team to defeat all of their AFC South opponents.

The Cardinals finished their regular season at home against the 49ers in hopes of making the playoffs needing not only a win over the 49ers, but also a long shot upset by the Buccaneers over the Saints.

After being behind 17–7 at halftime, the Cardinals came back to tie the game but were beaten by their division rivals on a game-winning field goal and finished in 3rd place, barely missing out as they needed to beat the 49ers to win the NFC's last playoff spot.

However, even if they had won, they would not have qualified for the playoffs, since the Saints easily defeated the Buccaneers 42–17.

They would finish their season 10–6, becoming the league's only team with a winning record to not make the playoffs.