The 2021 Arizona Cardinals entered the season with cautious optimism, aiming to take the next step under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. They opened with a blistering 7-0 start, establishing themselves as early contenders in the NFC. However, the campaign ultimately resulted in an 11-6 finish, placing them second in their own division behind the 12-5 Rams. While they punched their ticket to the postseason, the late-season inconsistency suggested a team struggling to maintain the elite rhythm they displayed during that initial, undefeated stretch .

Offensively, the unit operated with a high-octane level led by Kyler Murray, who threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns in 14 games. The playmakers around him were a fascinating collection of talent, including Christian Kirk, who led the team with 982 receiving yards, and James Conner, who became the heart of the ground attack with 15 rushing touchdowns. DeAndre Hopkins remained a lethal threat despite limited availability, pulling in eight touchdown catches in his 10 games. This offensive firepower helped the team rank 11th in points scored (26.4 ppg), even as the unit dealt with various injuries .

Defensively, the Cardinals managed to finish 11th in points allowed (21.5 ppg), reflecting a unit that had its moments of dominance despite a tough division. The team relied on a diverse pass rush and a secondary that faced heavy pressure in the NFC West. The arrival of veterans like J.J. Watt added a significant identity shift, though the defense had to navigate long stretches of the season against high-scoring opponents. While they were effective in creating turnovers - ranking 7th in the league with 27 takeaways - the defensive inconsistencies often mirrored the broader fluctuations of the team's performance throughout the latter half of the schedule.

Key moments were defined by both streaks and slippages. After their impressive 7-0 opening run, the Cardinals suffered pivotal mid-season losses against the Panthers and Rams, which disrupted their momentum and ultimate seeding. A resilient 25-22 road victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 served as a highlight, showcasing the team's ability to win against high-level competition. However, the overall season was marred by a difficult December slump, where they dropped critical games against the Lions and Colts, preventing them from securing the division title .

The season concluded with a frustrating 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. While Kyler Murray earned a Pro Bowl selection, the early playoff exit left the team looking for answers to bridge the gap between being a playoff contender and a legitimate championship threat. The 2021 campaign solidified the core potential of the Kingsbury-Murray era but highlighted the work still required to survive the rigors of the postseason and a brutally tough NFC West.