How Cardinals Helped Make NFL History

The Arizona Cardinals won't be hoisting a Lombardi trophy anytime soon, though they did have a hand in making NFL history in a unique way with their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

With their defeat to the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, the Steelers became the first team over .500 in NFL history to lose consecutive games to teams at least eight games under .500. 

Sunday's Week 13 matchup in Pittsburgh saw the 2-10 Cardinals stroll into Acrisure Stadium and leave with a 24-10 win. Four days later, the Steelers fell to the 2-10 Patriots. 

It's certainly a victory the Cardinals needed heading into their late bye week. 

"We know what we need to work on, the improvements that we have to make, a couple slight adjustments, which to me is being adaptable as you’re making those adjustments as you go on and who you’re playing really," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this week.

"We’ve kind of been doing a good job at that, but I think they do need a little bit of a reset and some rest. We’ve been going at it a pretty long time here now, and I think that’s going to afford us to get some guys back and get healthy. Once we get back in here, we’ll be business as usual.”

The Cardinals/Patriots put up a combined 45 points in six quarters against a Steelers defense considered to be one of the top units in the league, featuring names such as T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

Arizona looked especially strong with Kyler Murray back under center, though it was James Conner who did most of the dirty work in the Steel City. 

The Cardinals will return from their bye week to host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15.