Josh McCown wasn't a rookie that year, not like Josh Rosen. The quarterback was only getting his third start in the NFL, fewer than Rosen has up until this point, and he was playing at home, whereas Rosen and his Cardinals teammates will be traveling to Seattle.
But there is a parallel between McCown's 2003 Cardinals and Rosen's 2018 Cardinals heading into the last game of the season – a loss and the Cardinals end up with the No. 1 overall draft pick.
That 2003 game provided one of the highlights of McCown's career, a 28-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game to Nate Poole to upset the Minnesota Vikings. The loss knocked the Vikings out of the postseason and, less talked about, pushed the Cardinals from the first draft pick to third.
A win Sunday against the Seahawks, and the Cardinals will likely make a similar draft move back.
"All (the Vikings) had to do was beat us and they would make it in, and so I remember having fun and just trying to keep growing as a player," said McCown, who is still playing as a backup quarterback for the New York Jets. "I don't feel like it was talked about, draft picks and everything.
"At the time, those kinds of things weren't talked about. I don't want to disrespect analytics, but I think people had too much respect for the game to (think about what losing meant.) It's a violent game we play, and to go out and waste a down or waste some snaps, that's a tough thing to think about."
It may be a topic for the public, but 15 years or so hasn't changed how players might approach such a game.
"I haven't heard anybody in this locker room talk about the number one pick," current Cardinals safety Antoine Bethea said. "We want to go out on a good note. We want to win. That's what our goal is. We haven't talked about draft picks."
In his final mid-week press conference of the season, Rosen noted a couple of times that the Cardinals wanted to end this season with a victory. Nowhere was it mentioned -- nor asked -- how his future could benefit with a higher draft pick.
If the Cardinals were able to win in Seattle, the draft-order tiebreakers in 2018 are similar to the ones in 2003 – it would likely mean the Cards will not pick first. The 49ers (who play the Rams) and the Jets (who play the Patriots) are the two four-win teams that would leapfrog the Cardinals in the draft order if they lost and the Cards win. All three teams would be 4-12.
Just like 2003, when the Chargers and Raiders jumped in front of the Cards in the final order.
"At that time, we were all, guys had so much respect for coach (Dave) McGinnis and wanted to play hard for him," McCown said. "For me, the awareness of those things (like draft positioning) weren't even in my head. I was just trying to make sure I was able to execute the plays. I don't think (the No. 1 pick) was part of it. It was 'let's go out and play.' "
McGinnis was fired anyway. But the Cardinals avoided the first overall selection – a pick the franchise has had four times, but not since 1958. That year, it was spent on quarterback King Hill, who didn't work out as a passer (eight touchdowns, 20 interceptions during his three initial years with the Cards) but eventually found footing in the NFL elsewhere as a punter. He even returned to the Cardinals the final year of his 12-year career, punting 73 times in 14 games.
Then again, not exactly what a team wants out of the No. 1 overall pick.
The funny thing is McCown-to-Poole may not have changed the direction the Cardinals went in the 2004 draft. McGinnis was replaced by Dennis Green, who believed Larry Fitzgerald was the best player in the draft despite quarterbacks like Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger being available.
This year, with a quarterback like Rosen in place, it probably wouldn't make a significant difference to the Cardinals whether they are at 1 or 3. But it still might matter to some.
Even today, Fitzgerald – who grew up in Minnesota and was a ballboy for the Vikings – says he was "devastated" when the Cardinals knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs in favor of the rival Packers. At that point, Green hadn't been hired so Fitzgerald couldn't know he was likely Arizona-bound, but he knew it soon enough.
"To see them get eliminated by the Cardinals, and it eliminated the Cardinals from being the No. 1 pick which I was hoping for too, it was an all-around hurtful weekend," Fitzgerald said.
Once Fitzgerald and McCown became teammates the next year, Fitzgerald would chide McCown for his Poole pass, saying "you cost me some money."
"Now, looking back and seeing the impact Larry has had not only on the organization but the relationship he had with coach Green, I have no doubt he probably would've been the No. 1 pick," McCown said. "But I always used to tell him, 'If I didn't (throw that pass), I probably would've never got a chance to throw you your first touchdown.' I had to do it to help my own job."
McCown has carved out a long career in the NFL, and still hopes to play in 2019. But McCown-to-Poole remains one of his fondest memories. He and Poole have ended up settling down about 10 miles away from each other in Charlotte, N.C., crossing paths once in a while, a connection still alive.
The game wasn't about sidestepping the No. 1 pick but playing for your teammates. Instead it was Hall of Fame teammate Emmitt Smith yelling at McCown, after the third-down sack that proceeded the pass, to get himself back to the line of scrimmage and get a play off in the dwindling seconds.
The current Cardinals wouldn't mind such a scenario. Draft status isn't part of the equation.
"It meant something to Green Bay," McCown said. "It didn't mean anything to us other than the pride you play for and the value you can find as a young player to springboard yourself forward."
Images of past matchups between the Seahawks and Cardinals
Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Gary Hogeboom can't find a receiver due to heavy defensive pressure from Seattle Seahawks (92) David Wyman and (72) Joe Nash during action in their pre-season game, Aug. 12, 1989 in Tempe, Arizona. The Seahawks proved too much for the Cardinals after the game went into overtime and lost 16-10.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27.
Arizona Cardinals' Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks' Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasn't enough as Seattle won the game 33-14.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, left, and Arizona Cardinals coach Vince Tobin, right, walk off the field after the Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 21-3 in a preseason game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Derrick Mayes, left, cannot hang on to the pass from quarterback Jon Kitna as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams, right, defends during the first quarter Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer greets Arizona Cardinals cornerback Duane Starks following their game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in the team's new stadium in Seattle. Arizona won, 24-13.
Arizona Cardinals' Thomas Jomes evades a diving Seattle Seahawks' Reggie Tongue to run 58 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter in the Cardinals 24-13 win over the Seahawks in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002.
Seattle Seahawks' Shawn Springs (24) intercepts a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Seahawks' Reggie Williams, lower left, and Jeff George, far right, watch as Cardinals' Frank Sanders (81), Jason McAddley, top left, and Steve Bush, right rear, defend. It was the second interception of the half for Plummer.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jerry Rice watches his new team from the sidelines in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Delfter (4) passes to Maurice Morris, right, as Walter Jones (71) defends against Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Five-time Pro Bowl tackle Jones left in the third with an ankle injury. The Seahawks won, 24-21.
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant can't stop Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald from scoring a touchdown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin, left, stops Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith after a short gain in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Emmitt Smith (22) is brought down by Seattle Seahawks' Orlando Huff, back, and Ken Lucas, right, during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Dec. 26, 2004. Smith rushed for 65 yards in the 24-21 win for the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) is hurried as Arizona Cardinals Chike Okeafor (56) and Darnell Dockett (90) pursue during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Andre Dyson, rear, pulls down Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald after a short gain during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Leroy Hill (56) pulls down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Curt Warner passes the ball during the second quarter as Adam Haayer blocks Seattle Seahawks' Bryce Fisher, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander dives into the end zone from the one-yard line for a touchdown with Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson defending during the third quarter, in Seattle, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. Alexander scored four touchdowns in the 37-12 win over the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals' Obafemi Ayanbadejo (30) leaps over Seattle Seahawks' Kelly Herndon as he gains additional yards on a 13 yard pass-play in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 21-10.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett reaches to grab Seattle Seahawaks running back Shaun Alexander from behind during a football game in Seattle, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2006.
Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris (20) races ahead of Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby on a third quarter 27 yard pass reception, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 21-10.
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, left, runs with the ball after catching a pass with Seattle Seahawks' Deon Grant grabbing from behind during the first quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey, left, blocks the punt of Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Plackemeier in the first quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks' Deion Branch, right, catches a 17-yard touchdown as Arizona Cardinals' Oliver Celestin defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) picks up a short gain as Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20.
Arizona Cardinals' Leonard Pope (82) celebrates his touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) and Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) battle for the loose ball after the Seahawks fumbled during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The fumble set up a game-winning field goal for the Cardinals who won 23-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks' Will Herring (54) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-21.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (29) celebrates his second-quarter interception against the Seattle Seahawks with Cardinals' Karlos Dansby in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' Tim Hightower (34) in action against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner (13) in action against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald runs after a reception against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Craig Terrill, left, sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Max Hall in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals line during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) pulls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks' Max Unger (60) blocks Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett, right in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals' A.J. Jefferson, right, breaks up a pass in the end zone meant for Seattle Seahawks' Sidney Rice with less than a minute left on third down in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice makes the catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (92) and outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) tackle Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chester Taylor (29) leaps over the line to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Richard Marshall (31) makes a diving tackle on Seattle Seahawks' Leon Washington (33) during the second quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts to a missed pass as Arizona Cardinals free safety Kerry Rhodes (25) defends as time expires during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-16.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate, right, can't catch the ball under pressure by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd, right, catches the ball for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' Byron Maxwell defends in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals Karlos Dansby celebrates after he made an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 17-10.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles under pressure in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell, left, runs the ball after making an interception as Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington, right, attempts a tackle in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson lies on the turf with the football after he recovered his own fumble for a safety as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) reacts in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham holds the football behind his back as a television camera records his celebration after his touchdown reception against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back D.J. Swearinger (36) celebrates his defensive stop after Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise (22) falls short of a first down during the second half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson in action against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden reacts after a play against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) is congratulated after kicking a winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks at the end of the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. The Cardinals won 34-31.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 22-16.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tyvon Branch (27) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) tries to fend off Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) as Graham runs after a reception in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown celebrates after making a catch for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is hugged by quarterback Drew Stanton (5) after Seattle Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh missed a field goal at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas (29) is greeted by Arizona Cardinals players as he leaves the field after breaking his leg during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
