The 2000 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 81st season in the National Football League (NFL), their 102nd overall and their 13th in Arizona. The Cardinals ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense and 30th in total defense. The Cardinals ranked last in the NFC in Takeaways/Giveaways with a rating of âÂÂ24.
The Cardinals surrendered 443 points in 2000, the second-worst in the NFL that season, and second-worst in franchise history. Arizona's minus-233 point differential is the worst in team history.
Two of the Cardinals' three victories came by one point each (vs. NFC East rivals Dallas and Washington), and they were 0âÂÂ8 on the road. Following the most lopsided of those eight road losses, 48âÂÂ7 at Dallas in week eight, coach Vince Tobin was fired, ending his tenure in the desert after 4ý seasons with a 29âÂÂ44 record. Defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis was named interim coach, and he held the job through the end of the 2003 season. The 3âÂÂ13 mark would be matched in 2018.
The Cardinals suffered through their poorest season since the 1970 AFLâÂÂNFL merger, eclipsing the 4âÂÂ12 marks of 1991, 1992, 1995 and 1997. The Cardinals also went 4âÂÂ9âÂÂ1 in 1971, 1972 and 1973, and 4âÂÂ11âÂÂ1 in 1986, and would suffer through another 4âÂÂ12 campaign in 2003.
On December 18, Dave McGinnis was named as the 38th head coach in franchise history. He had been interim coach since October 23, when Vince Tobin was fired.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.