2021 Arizona Cardinals season

102nd season in franchise history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2021 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 102nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 34th in Arizona and their third under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Cardinals started 7–0 for the first time in 47 years when they were based in St. Louis. They improved from their 8–8 season from the previous year with a 23–13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 and clinched their first winning season since 2015. Despite a loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, the Cardinals clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2015 after the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

Quick facts Arizona Cardinals season, Owner ...
2021 Arizona Cardinals season
OwnerMichael Bidwill
General managerSteve Keim
Head coachKliff Kingsbury[a]
Defensive coordinatorVance Joseph
Home stadiumState Farm Stadium
Results
Record11–6
Division place2nd NFC West
PlayoffsLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Rams) 11–34
All-ProsSS Budda Baker (2nd team)
Pro Bowlers
Uniform
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Despite an impressive 7–0 start and acquiring All-Pros J. J. Watt and A. J. Green prior to the season starting, the team suffered their second consecutive late-season collapse, only winning four out of their last ten games, resulting in them losing their lead in the division and dropping to the fifth seed. Their late season woes continued into the playoffs, where they would be eliminated in the Wild Card Round by their division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams by a blowout score of 34–11.

In the offseason, cornerback Patrick Peterson left in free agency after 10 years, and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald chose not to sign with any team after 17 years with the franchise.[1]

Roster changes

Player re-signed by the Cardinals Player not re-signed by the Cardinals

Signings

More information Position, Player ...
Position Player Tag 2020 team Date signed Contract
WRA. J. GreenUFACincinnati BengalsMarch 171–year, $8.5 million
KMatt PraterUFADetroit LionsMarch 172–year, $6.5 million
DEJ. J. WattUFAHouston TexansMarch 172–year, $28 million
OGBrian WintersUFABuffalo BillsMarch 221–year, $1 million
CBMalcolm ButlerUFATennessee TitansMarch 251–year, $6 million
SShawn WilliamsUFACincinnati BengalsMarch 291–year
QBColt McCoyUFANew York GiantsMarch 301–year
RBJames ConnerUFAPittsburgh SteelersApril 131-year
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Trades

Draft

More information Round, Selection ...
2021 Arizona Cardinals Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
116 Zaven CollinsLBTulsa
249 Rondale MooreWRPurdue
4136 Marco WilsonCBFloridafrom Kansas City via Baltimore
6210 Victor DimukejeDEDukefrom Baltimore
223 Tay GowanCBUCFfrom Minnesota via trade for Mason Cole
7243 James WigginsSCincinnati
247 Michal MenetCPenn Statefrom Chicago via Las Vegas
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Notes

Staff

2021 Arizona Cardinals staff

Front office

  • Owner – Michael Bidwill
  • Chairman/president – Michael Bidwill
  • General manager – Steve Keim
  • Vice president of player personnel – Quentin Harris
  • Vice president of pro scouting – Adrian Wilson
  • Vice president of football operations & facilities – Matt Caracciolo
  • Director of player personnel – Dru Grigson
  • Director of college scouting – Chris Culmer
  • Director of football administration – Matt Harriss

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Assistant special teams – Devin Fitzsimmons

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Buddy Morris
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mark Naylor

Final roster

2021 Arizona Cardinals roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 7 reserve, 16 practice squad (1 exempt)

Preseason

The Cardinals' preseason schedule was announced on May 12.[8]

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Dallas Cowboys W 19–16 1–0 State Farm Stadium Recap
2 August 20 Kansas City Chiefs L 10–17 1–1 State Farm Stadium Recap
3 August 28 at New Orleans Saints Cancelled due to Hurricane Ida[9]
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Regular season

Schedule

The Cardinals' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.[8]

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 at Tennessee Titans W 38–13 1–0 Nissan Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Minnesota Vikings W 34–33 2–0 State Farm Stadium Recap
3 September 26 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–19 3–0 TIAA Bank Field Recap
4 October 3 at Los Angeles Rams W 37–20 4–0 SoFi Stadium Recap
5 October 10 San Francisco 49ers W 17–10 5–0 State Farm Stadium Recap
6 October 17 at Cleveland Browns W 37–14 6–0 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
7 October 24 Houston Texans W 31−5 7–0 State Farm Stadium Recap
8 October 28 Green Bay Packers L 21–24 7–1 State Farm Stadium Recap
9 November 7 at San Francisco 49ers W 31–17 8–1 Levi's Stadium Recap
10 November 14 Carolina Panthers L 10–34 8–2 State Farm Stadium Recap
11 November 21 at Seattle Seahawks W 23–13 9–2 Lumen Field Recap
12 Bye
13 December 5 at Chicago Bears W 33–22 10–2 Soldier Field Recap
14 December 13 Los Angeles Rams L 23–30 10–3 State Farm Stadium Recap
15 December 19 at Detroit Lions L 12–30 10–4 Ford Field Recap
16 December 25 Indianapolis Colts L 16–22 10–5 State Farm Stadium Recap
17 January 2 at Dallas Cowboys W 25–22 11–5 AT&T Stadium Recap
18 January 9 Seattle Seahawks L 30–38 11–6 State Farm Stadium Recap
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tennessee Titans

Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 10 14 14038
Titans 0 6 7013
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at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

More information Game information ...
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Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 14 9 7333
Cardinals 7 17 7334
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

More information Game information ...
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Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 0 17731
Jaguars 0 13 6019
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at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 58,012
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Aqib Talib and Megan Olivi
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
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The Cardinals earned their first 3–0 start since 2015.

Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 17 10337
Rams 10 3 0720
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at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

More information Game information ...
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With the win, the Cardinals not only improved to 4–0 for the first time since 2012, but earned their first victory over the Rams since Week 17 of the 2016 season. Also, with the Broncos, the Raiders, and the Panthers losing their first games of the season, the Cardinals became the last undefeated team in the NFL.

Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 7310
Cardinals 7 3 0717
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

More information Game information ...
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Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 16 7737
Browns 0 14 0014
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at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
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The Cardinals started 6–0 for the first time since 1974.

Week 7: vs. Houston Texans

Week 7: Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texans 2 3 005
Cardinals 0 17 7731
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

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The Arizona Cardinals played the Houston Texans at home. This was the first game where former Texans DeAndre Hopkins and JJ Watt played against their former team, as well as tight end Zach Ertz's debut with the Cardinals.

Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 10 7724
Cardinals 7 0 7721
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

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Football field viewed from the stands with the Packers and Cardinals on the field.
The Packers offense lining up against the Cardinals defense during the game.

The Packers handed the Cardinals their first loss to deny them a perfect season with a 24–21 victory on Thursday Night Football, despite entering the game without their top three wide receivers—Allen Lazard and All-Pro WR Davante Adams missed the game due to COVID protocols, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling was still recovering from a groin injury suffered in Week 3. Kyler Murray had the ball with time winding down, and the ball in field goal range, but a pass intended for wide receiver A. J. Green was picked off in the endzone by Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas, who began the season on the Cardinals practice squad.

Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 9: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 14 3 14031
49ers 0 7 7317
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at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,012
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
Game information
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Despite Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins not playing, the Cardinals dominated the game to sweep the season series for the first time since 2018. With the win, the Cardinals improved to 8–1 and tied their 8-win mark from the previous season.

Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 10: Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 17 6 8334
Cardinals 0 0 3710
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

More information Game information ...
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Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 6 3723
Seahawks 0 6 0713
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at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 45 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 68,833
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
Game information
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With this win the Cardinals improved to 9-2 and secured their first winning season since 2015.

Week 13: at Chicago Bears

Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 14 7 3933
Bears 0 7 7822
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at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

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Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins returned to the field after the bye and connected for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 14: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 13 14330
Cardinals 3 10 01023
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

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Week 15: at Detroit Lions

Week 15: Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 6612
Lions 3 14 7630
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at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 45,211
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Aqib Talib and Megan Olivi
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
Game information
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Despite the Cardinals being the favorite to win, the 1-11-1 Detroit Lions blew them out 30-12 in an unexpected loss.

The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 37-yard field goal by Riley Patterson. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via a 37-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Josh Reynolds, which made the score 17–0 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Cardinals finally got on the board in the third quarter via a 29-yard field goal by Matt Prater. The Lions extended their lead via a six-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jason Cabinda. The Cardinals responded with a 29-yard field goal by Prater. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 47-yard field goal by Patterson. The Cardinals responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Christian Kirk. The Lions scored the final points of the game via a 45-yard field goal by Patterson, making the final score 30–12 in favor of Detroit.

With the loss, Arizona fell to 10-4, marking their only road game loss in 2021.

Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts

NFL on Christmas Day

Week 16: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 7 5 3722
Cardinals 6 0 7316
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

More information Game information ...
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Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 10 9325
Cowboys 0 7 01522
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at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 93,459
  • Referee: Scott Novak
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
Game information
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With the win, the Cardinals finished a league-best 8–1 on the road.

Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 18: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 10 71438
Cardinals 7 3 14630
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at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

  • Date: January 9
  • Game time: 2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 63,858
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
More information Game information ...
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With the loss, the Cardinals finished the season 11–6, earning a Wildcard spot in the 2021–22 NFL playoffs as the 5th seed.

Standings

Division

More information NFC West, W ...
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Los Angeles Rams 12 5 0 .706 3–3 8–4 460 372 L1
(5) Arizona Cardinals 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 449 366 L1
(6) San Francisco 49ers 10 7 0 .588 2–4 7–5 427 365 W2
Seattle Seahawks 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 395 366 W2
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Conference

More information #, Team ...
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[b] Green Bay Packers North 13 4 0 .765 4–2 9–3 .479 .480 L1
2[b] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 .467 .443 W3
3[c] Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 6–0 10–2 .488 .431 W1
4[c] Los Angeles Rams West 12 5 0 .706 3–3 8–4 .483 .409 L1
Wild cards
5 Arizona Cardinals West 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 .490 .492 L1
6 San Francisco 49ers West 10 7 0 .588 2–4 7–5 .500 .438 W2
7[d] Philadelphia Eagles East 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .469 .350 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d] New Orleans Saints South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .512 .516 W2
9 Minnesota Vikings North 8 9 0 .471 4–2 6–6 .507 .434 W1
10[e] Washington Football Team East 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .529 .420 W1
11[e][f] Seattle Seahawks West 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .519 .424 W2
12[e][f] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 4–8 .472 .315 L2
13 Chicago Bears North 6 11 0 .353 2–4 4–8 .524 .373 L1
14 Carolina Panthers South 5 12 0 .294 2–4 3–9 .509 .412 L7
15 New York Giants East 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 .536 .485 L6
16 Detroit Lions North 3 13 1 .206 2–4 3–9 .528 .627 W1
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. Vance Joseph and Jeff Rodgers (Interim HCs for Week 6 after Kingsbury tested positive for COVID-19)
  2. Green Bay finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on conference record (9–3 vs. 8–4), claiming the No. 1 seed.
  3. Dallas claimed the No. 3 seed over LA Rams based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
  4. Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
  5. Washington finished ahead of Atlanta and Seattle based on head-to-head victories.
  6. Seattle finished ahead of Atlanta based on win percentage in common games (4–2 vs. 3–3 against: San Francisco, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Washington, and Detroit).
  7. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
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Postseason

More information Round, Date ...
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 17 at Los Angeles Rams (4) L 11–34 0–1 SoFi Stadium Recap
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Game summaries

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) Los Angeles Rams

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Arizona Cardinals at (4) Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 8311
Rams 7 14 7634
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at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

More information Game information ...
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Statistics

Team

More information Category, Total yards ...
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense4,276251.510th
Rushing offense2,076122.110th
Total offense6,352373.68th
Passing defense2,771163.07th
Rushing defense1,952114.820th
Total defense5,597329.211th
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Individual

More information Category, Player ...
Category Player Total yards
Offense
PassingKyler Murray3,787
RushingJames Conner752
ReceivingChristian Kirk982
Defense
Tackles (Solo)Jalen Thompson79
SacksMarkus Golden11
InterceptionsByron Murphy4
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Statistics correct as of the end of the 2021 NFL season[10][11]

References

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