​We’re counting down to the Arizona Cardinals’ regular-season opener, and today is Friday, July 10, placing the start of the season 65 days away. On September 13, the Cardinals will hit the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers, marking the beginning of a new campaign. With 65 days to go until Week 1, there’s no better time to look back at a notable chapter in Cardinals history: the 1965 season.
The 1965 campaign began with promise but ultimately ended in disappointment. The season opened with a tough loss, as Arizona fell 34-27 to the Philadelphia Eagles. The team rebounded quickly, though, rattling off four consecutive victories to surge to an overall record of 4-1. After that strong start, the Cardinals managed only one more win, and they closed the year by dropping their final six contests, finishing with a 5-9 mark. Despite the uneven record, the club showed some offensive and defensive resilience, as the team averaged 21.1 points per game, placing seventh in the 14-team NFL, while allowing an average of 22.1 points per game, which ranked ninth.
Eight Cardinals players earned Pro Bowl honors in 1965, underscoring the talent present on the roster. The selections included cornerback Pat Fischer; center Bob DeMarco; defensive tackle Sam Silas; safety Larry Wilson; right tackle Ernie McMillan; kicker Jim Bakken; linebacker Dale Meinert; and wide receiver Sonny Randle. At quarterback, Charley Johnson started 11 games, finishing the season with a 5-6 record as a starter, and he threw for 2,439 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. The club also boasted a strong rushing attack, led by Bill Triplett with 617 yards and six touchdowns, while Willie Crenshaw added 437 rushing yards to keep the ground game productive.
On the receiving side, Bobby Joe Conrad was the team’s leading pass catcher with 58 receptions for 909 yards and five touchdowns. Sonny Randle contributed across the board, hauling in 51 passes for 845 yards and leading the team with nine receiving touchdowns. The tight end position was a productive one as well, with Jackie Smith totaling 41 receptions for 648 yards and two touchdowns, providing a reliable target over the middle. Kicker Jim Bakken, finishing with a 67.7% field goal percentage, demonstrated accuracy that season, lighting up the scoring charts for the Cardinals.
Defensively, Larry Wilson led the squad with six interceptions, highlighting his knack for making plays in the secondary. Cornerback Jimmy Burson added five picks, and Pat Fischer contributed three interceptions, helping to form a capable, opportunistic defense that could swing momentum in tight games.
For those seeking more Cardinals insights and wider NFL coverage, Cards Wire’s own Jess Root and the Rise Up, See Red podcast crew offer ongoing analysis and discussion. You can catch the latest episodes on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts, continuing the conversation about Arizona’s storied franchise and its journey toward the upcoming season.
This look back at the 1965 season provides a window into a different era of Cardinals football, reminding fans that even in seasons of mixed results, there were bright spots and individual performances that left a lasting imprint on the franchise. As we move closer to the 65-day countdown to the opener against the Chargers, fans can reflect on both the history that shaped the team and the potential that lies ahead in the current campaign.