The 2012 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 93rd in the National Football League, their 25th in Arizona, and their sixth and final season under head coach Ken Whisenhunt. After a surprising 4–0 start, which included a major upset of the New England Patriots in week 2, the Cardinals lost 11 of their final 12 games, and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, resulting in the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt after six seasons. This was Rod Graves last season as general manager of the Cardinals. A day after the final game of the regular season, he was fired after 6 seasons.