The 1974 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 55th year with the National Football League and the 15th season in St. Louis. The Cardinals scored 285 points while the defense gave up 218 points, en route to the NFC East Championship.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 299
The 10–4 Cardinals qualified for the postseason for the first time since 1948 when the franchise was based in Chicago. It was the team's first winning season since 1970 when the Cardinals went 8–5–1. Although the Cardinals and the Washington Redskins finished with identical 10–4 records, the Cardinals won the NFC East title, because of their two victories over Washington that season.
The Cardinals won their first seven games, and were at least tied for first place from Week One to the end of the regular season.
The Cardinals would not start a season with a 7–0 record again until 2021. By then, they would be based in Arizona.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel Staff / Coaches
Roster
1974 St. Louis Cardinals roster Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams Reserve lists
rookies in italics
Hall of Fame Game St. Louis Cardinals 21, Buffalo Bills 13 NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 369
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 15 Philadelphia Eagles W 7–3 1–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 40,322 Recap 2 September 22 at Washington Redskins W 17–10 2–0 RFK Stadium 53,888 Recap 3 September 29 Cleveland Browns W 29–7 3–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 43,472 Recap 4 October 6 at San Francisco 49ers W 34–9 4–0 Candlestick Park 48,675 Recap 5 October 13 Dallas Cowboys W 31–28 5–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 49,885 Recap 6 October 20 at Houston Oilers W 31–27 6–0 Astrodome 26,371 Recap 7 October 27 Washington Redskins W 23–20 7–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 49,410 Recap 8 November 3 at Dallas Cowboys L 14–17 7–1 Texas Stadium 64,146 Recap 9 Minnesota Vikings L 24–28 7–2 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,183 Recap 10 November 17 at Philadelphia Eagles W 13–3 8–2 Veterans Stadium 61,982 Recap 11 November 24 at New York Giants W 23–21 9–2 Yale Bowl 40,615 Recap 12 December 1 Kansas City Chiefs L 13–17 9–3 Busch Memorial Stadium 41,863 Recap 13 December 8 at New Orleans Saints L 0–14 9–4 Tulane Stadium 57,152 Recap 14 December 15 New York Giants W 26–14 10–4 Busch Memorial Stadium 47,414 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 11 at Giants
Week 14
Pro-Football-Reference.com
With the win, the Cardinals finished the regular season 10-4 (7-1 against the NFC East & 5-2 at home) and clinched both the NFC East and their first playoff berth since 1948, snapping a 25 year playoff drought (ironically one started and ended 3 years after Washington's 25 year playoff drought).
Standings
Postseason
NFC Divisional Playoff Minnesota Vikings 30, St. Louis Cardinals 14
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
TV: CBS Attendance: 44,626
Awards and records Jim Hart, NFC Leader, Touchdown Passes, 20 Passes NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 451
Milestones Terry Metcalf, 2000 Combined Net Yards (718 Rush Yards, 377 Pass Receiving Yards, 340 Punt Return Yards, 623 Kick Return Yards)NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 443
References
Cardinals on Pro Football Reference Cardinals on jt-sw.com