The Arizona Cardinals recovered from a disappointing 2012 campaign to narrowly miss out on a place in the 2013 NFL playoffs.
The NFC West side, who have not reached the post-season since 2009, won 10 games in the regular season, leaving them seventh in their conference.
The team appeared to get stronger as the year progressed, finishing with a run of seven wins from nine games.
Sports Mole looks back at the Cardinals' year.
Pre-season expectations
The Cardinals made a series of changes ahead of the start of the 2013 season, firing head coach Ken Whisenhunt and bringing in Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. Arizona were also active in the free agency market, bringing in running back Rashard Mendenhall and linebacker John Abraham, as well as trading for quarterback Carson Palmer.
Highlight of the season
Beating the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field to end their NFC West rivals' two-year unbeaten home streak was the standout moment of the Cardinals' 2013 season. The result left the team on a run of seven wins from eight games, giving them a chance of securing a playoff place if they could clinch victory in the final week of the season.
Biggest disappointment
Just a week after beating the Seahawks, who went on to win the Super Bowl, the Cardinals faced the San Francisco 49ers, who were still in with a chance of finishing top in the NFC West. The Cardinals needed to win to claim the final wildcard spot, but a late field goal from Phil Dawson ensured that the visitors came away with the win, eliminating their rivals.
Player of the season
Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby proved an all-round defensive threat for the Cardinals in 2013, having returned to the team in the off-season following his release from the Miami Dolphins. The 32-year-old led the team with 122 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, while also making 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Unsung hero
The emergence of rookie running back Andre Ellington overshadowed the early season performances of Rashard Mendenhall, but the former Pittsburgh Steeler finished the year as the team's top rusher, with 687 yards and eight touchdowns in his first year with the Cardinals. Mendenhall also proved a useful target for Palmer, hauling in 18 receptions for 134 yards. Like Dansby, the 26-year-old joined the NFC West outfit on a one-year contract last off-season, meaning he could move on ahead of the 2014 season.
Off-season changes
The Cardinals have already cleared space in their salary cap by restructuring Larry Fitzgerald's contract, which should allow them to make moves in free agency. Currently, the Cardinals hold six picks in May's Draft.
2014 prospects
The Cardinals need to strengthen their roster during the off-season, including bringing in better protection for Palmer, but they should continue to improve in their second year under Arians. Arizona face an uphill battle to reach the payoffs, sharing a division with the two teams that reached this year's NFC championship game, and they have the oldest starting quarterback in the NFC West, but a wildcard spot will not be an unrealistic aim for next season.
Sian Cowper
