Round
Pick
Player
Position
School/Club Team
1
12
Wendell Bryant
Defensive Tackle
University of Wisconsin
2
49
Levar Fisher
Linebacker
North Carolina State University
3
81
Josh McCown
Quarterback
Sam Houston State University
3
98
Dennis Johnson
Defensive End
University of Kentucky
4
113
Nate Dwyer
Defensive Tackle
University of Kansas
5
149
Jason McAddley
Wide Receiver
University of Alabama
6
185
Josh Scobey
Running Back
Kansas State University
7
223
Mike Banks
Tight End
Iowa State University
Undrafted free agents
edit
In May 2002, eight months after the September 11, 2001, attacks and after completing the fifteen remaining games of the 2001 season which followed the attacks (at a salary of $ 512,000 per year),[ 1] Pat Tillman turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army.[ 2]
2002 Arizona Cardinals staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Special teams – Hank Kuhlmann
Special Teams Assistant/Def. Quality Control – Stan Kwan Strength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning – Bob Rogucki
In the 2002 regular season, the Cardinals’ non-divisional, conference opponents were primarily from the NFC East , although they also played the Carolina Panthers from the NFC South , and the Detroit Lions from the NFC North . Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC West , the second consecutive season the Cardinals faced the AFC West.
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
September 8
at Washington Redskins
L 23–31
0–1
FedExField
85,140
2
September 15
at Seattle Seahawks
W 24–13
1–1
Seahawks Stadium
63,104
3
September 22
San Diego Chargers
L 15–23
1–2
Sun Devil Stadium
28,980
4
September 29
New York Giants
W 21–7
2–2
Sun Devil Stadium
30,014
5
October 6
at Carolina Panthers
W 16–13
3–2
Ericsson Stadium
72,286
6
Bye
7
October 20
Dallas Cowboys
W 9–6 OT
4–2
Sun Devil Stadium
59,702
8
October 27
at San Francisco 49ers
L 28–38
4–3
3Com Park
67,173
9
November 3
St. Louis Rams L 14–27
4–4
Sun Devil Stadium
47,819
10
November 10
Seattle Seahawks L 6–27
4–5
Sun Devil Stadium
29,252
11
November 17
at Philadelphia Eagles
L 14–38
4–6
Veterans Stadium
64,990
12
November 24
Oakland Raiders
L 20–41
4–7
Sun Devil Stadium
58,814
13
December 1
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 0–49
4–8
Arrowhead Stadium
77,809
14
December 8
Detroit Lions
W 23–20 OT
5–8
Sun Devil Stadium
28,640
15
December 15
at St. Louis Rams
L 28–30
5–9
Edward Jones Dome
65,939
16
December 21
San Francisco 49ers L 14–17
5–10
Sun Devil Stadium
44,051
17
December 29
at Denver Broncos
L 7–37
5–11
Invesco Field at Mile High
75,164
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: at Washington Redskins
edit
Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
10
3
3 7 23
Redskins 3
7
14 7 31
at FedEx Field , Landover, Maryland
Game information
First quarter
WAS – Brett Conway 35-yard field goal, 8:41. Redskins 3–0.
ARI – Bill Gramática 36-yard field goal, 2:59. Tied 3–3.
ARI – Jake Plummer 7-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 0:10. Cardinals 10–3. Second quarter
WAS – Kevin Lockett 26-yard pass from Shane Matthews (Brett Conway kick), 10:10. Tied 10–10.
ARI – Bill Gramática 20-yard field goal, 3:13. Cardinals 13–10. Third quarter
WAS – Stephen Davis 3-yard run (Brett Conway kick), 9:51. Redskins 17–13.
ARI – Bill Gramática 39-yard field goal, 8:14. Redskins 17–16.
WAS – Rod Gardner 43-yard pass from Shane Matthews (Brett Conway kick), 6:28. Redskins 24–16. Fourth quarter
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 14/36, 187 yards, TD, INT
WAS – Shane Matthews – 28/40, 327 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 17 rushes, 54 yards
WAS – Stephen Davis – 26 rushes, 104 yards, TD Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 7 receptions, 138 yards, TD
WAS – Rod Gardner – 7 receptions, 131 yards, TD
Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – Thomas Jones 58-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 11:59. Tied 10–10. Fourth quarter
SEA – Rian Lindell 19-yard field goal, 12:52. Seahawks 13–10.
ARI – MarTay Jenkins 95-yard kickoff return (Bill Gramática kick), 12:41. Cardinals 17–13.
ARI – Frank Sanders 4-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 3:18. Cardinals 24–13.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 10/22, 107 yards, TD, INT
SEA – Trent Dilfer – 29/47, 352 yards, TD Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 24 rushes, 173 yards, TD
SEA – Shaun Alexander – 17 rushes, 37 yards Top receivers
Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers
edit
Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers 0
14
0 9 23
Cardinals
7
0
0 8 15
at Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SD – Team safety, 14:44. Chargers 16–7.
SD – Donnie Edwards 20-yard interception run (Steve Christie kick), 11:23. Chargers 23–7.
ARI – Marcel Shipp 31-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jake Plummer–Frank Sanders pass), 9:30. Chargers 23–15.
Top passers
SD – Drew Brees – 17/31, 181 yards, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 16/36, 229 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson – 26 rushes, 91 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Thomas Jones – 17 rushes, 73 yards Top receivers
SD – Curtis Conway – 7 receptions, 92 yards
ARI – MarTay Jenkins – 2 receptions, 70 yards, TD
Week 4: vs. New York Giants
edit
Week 4: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
7
0
0 0 7
Cardinals 0
7
0 14 21
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Marcel Shipp 7-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 10:36. Cardinals 14–7.
ARI – Marcel Shipp 10-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 2:13. Cardinals 21–7.
Top passers
NYG – Kerry Collins – 19/36, 199 yards, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/32, 168 yards, TD Top rushers
NYG – Tiki Barber – 13 rushes, 55 yards, TD
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 17 rushes, 92 yards, TD Top receivers
NYG – Jeremy Shockey – 4 receptions, 56 yards
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 5 receptions, 39 yards, TD
Week 5: at Carolina Panthers
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
CAR – Shayne Graham 32-yard field goal, 8:52. Panthers 10–6.
CAR – Shayne Graham 48-yard field goal, 1:29. Panthers 13–6. Fourth quarter
ARI – Freddie Jones 15-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 2:38. Tied 13–13.
ARI – Bill Gramática 50-yard field goal, 0:16. Cardinals 16–13.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 18/40, 221 yards, TD, INT
CAR – Rodney Peete – 20/34, 196 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
edit
Week 7: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cowboys
0
0
6 0 0 6
Cardinals 3
3
0 0 3 9
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : October 20Game time : 2:15 p.m. MSTGame weather : 81 °F (27 °C)Game attendance : 59,702Referee : Dick Hantak Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Bill Gramática 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Cardinals 6–0. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Overtime
ARI – Bill Gramática 40-yard field goal, 3:10. Cardinals 9–6.
Top passers
DAL – Quincy Carter – 13/22, 202 yards, TD, 4 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 23/46, 232 yards Top rushers
Top receivers
DAL – Antonio Bryant – 3 receptions, 96 yards, TD
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 110 yards
Week 8: at San Francisco 49ers
edit
Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
7
14 7 28
49ers 17
14
0 7 38
at 3Com Park , San Francisco, California
Date : October 27Game time : 1:05 p.m. PST/2:05 p.m. MSTGame weather : 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 67,173Referee : Larry Nemmers Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Kevan Barlow 5-yard run (José Cortez kick), 14:05. 49ers 24–0.
ARI – Marcel Shipp 7-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 9:22. 49ers 24–7.
SF – Terrell Owens 61-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (José Cortez kick), 0:12. 49ers 31–7. Third quarter
ARI – Jake Plummer 34-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 11:18. 49ers 31–14.
ARI – Marcel Shipp 11-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 3:27. 49ers 31–21. Fourth quarter
SF – Kevan Barlow 9-yard pass from Jeff Garcia (José Cortez kick), 14:55. 49ers 38–21.
ARI – Thomas Jones 7-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 8:23. 49ers 38–28.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 24/36, 286 yards, 3 INT
SF – Jeff Garcia – 18/28, 252 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 15 rushes, 54 yards, TD
SF – Kevan Barlow – 18 rushes, 51 yards, TD Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 83 yards
SF – Terrell Owens – 8 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TD
Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
edit
Week 9: St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams 7
10
0 10 27
Cardinals
0
7
0 7 14
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : November 3Game time : 2:15 p.m. MSTGame weather : 76 °F (24 °C)Game attendance : 47,819Referee : Ron Blum Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Justin Lucas 35-yard interception run (Bill Gramática kick), 10:36. Rams 17–14.
STL – Jeff Wilkins 42-yard field goal, 3:46. Rams 20–14.
STL – Marshall Faulk 13-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 1:53. Rams 27–14.
Top passers
STL – Marc Bulger – 20/29, 245 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/30, 193 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
STL – Marshall Faulk – 27 rushes, 178 yards, TD
ARI – Thomas Jones – 12 rushes, 25 yards Top receivers
STL – Troy Edwards – 4 receptions, 63 yards
ARI – Frank Sanders – 6 receptions, 67 yards, TD
Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks
edit
Week 10: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Seahawks 10
17
0 0 27
Cardinals
3
3
0 0 6
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SEA – Rian Lindell 30-yard field goal, 10:47. Seahawks 13–3.
SEA – Ryan Hannam 16-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Rian Lindell kick), 8:38. Seahawks 20–3.
ARI – Bill Gramática 27-yard field goal, 3:50. Seahawks 20–6.
SEA – Shaun Alexander 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), 0:16. Seahawks 27–6. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
SEA – Matt Hasselbeck – 23/31, 260 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/29, 226 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHI – Dorsey Levens 3-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 9:56. Eagles 14–7.
ARI – Joel Makovicka 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 7:43. Tied 14–14.
PHI – Todd Pinkston 27-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 3:11. Eagles 21–14.
PHI – Duce Staley 9-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick), 1:02. Eagles 28–14. Third quarter
PHI – David Akers 34-yard field goal, 5:55. Eagles 31–14. Fourth quarter
PHI – James Thrash 4-yard run (David Akers kick), 8:21. Eagles 38–14.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 20/35, 163 yards, 2 TD, INT
PHI – Donovan McNabb – 20/25, 255 yards, 4 TD, INT Top rushers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 9 rushes, 76 yards
PHI – Duce Staley – 31 rushes, 135 yards Top receivers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 5 receptions, 50 yards
PHI – Duce Staley – 3 receptions, 82 yards, TD
Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders
edit
Week 12: Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders 14
7
17 3 41
Cardinals
0
14
0 6 20
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Marcel Shipp 3-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 13:53. Raiders 14–7.
OAK – Jerry Porter 14-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:31. Raiders 21–7.
ARI – Joel Makovicka 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 1:08. Raiders 21–14. Third quarter
OAK – Tyrone Wheatley 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 9:45. Raiders 28–14.
OAK – Jerry Rice 37-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:02. Raiders 35–14.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 37-yard field goal, 0:43. Raiders 38–14. Fourth quarter
ARI – Arnold Jackson 11-yard pass from Jake Plummer (pass failed), 1:08. Raiders 38–20.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 51-yard field goal, 1:56. Raiders 41–20.
Top passers
OAK – Rich Gannon – 27/45, 340 yards, 3 TD, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 16/34, 145 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
OAK – Charlie Garner – 16 rushes, 100 yards, TD
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 16 rushes, 135 yards, TD Top receivers
OAK – Jerry Rice – 7 receptions, 110 yards, TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 55 yards
Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs
edit
Week 13: Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 0 0
Chiefs 14
21
7 7 49
at Arrowhead Stadium , Kansas City, Missouri
Date : December 1Game time : 12:00 p.m. CST/11:00 a.m. MSTGame weather : 44 °F (7 °C)Game attendance : 77,809Referee : Dick Hantak Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Tony Richardson 3-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 5:19. Chiefs 21–0.
KC – Priest Holmes 2-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 1:14. Chiefs 28–0.
KC – Tony Gonzalez 23-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 0:07. Chiefs 35–0. Third quarter
KC – Marc Boerigter 1-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 3:53. Chiefs 42–0. Fourth quarter
KC – Marc Boerigter 29-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 7:57. Chiefs 49–0.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 14/31, 88 yards, 3 INT
KC – Trent Green – 14/20, 209 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 14 rushes, 26 yards
KC – Priest Holmes – 16 rushes, 113 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 7 receptions, 37 yards
KC – Tony Gonzalez – 4 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions
edit
Week 14: Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Lions
14
3
3 0 0 20
Cardinals 7
7
3 3 3 23
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 26-yard field goal, 3:20. Lions 17–7.
ARI – Nate Poole 10-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 0:38. Lions 17–14. Third quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 20-yard field goal, 10:48. Lions 20–14.
ARI – Bill Gramática 29-yard field goal, 5:18. Lions 20–17. Fourth quarter
ARI – Bill Gramática 41-yard field goal, 3:23. Tied 20–20. Overtime
ARI – Bill Gramática 42-yard field goal, 10:48. Cardinals 23–20.
Top passers
DET – Joey Harrington – 20/37, 152 yards, TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 24/43, 228 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
DET – James Stewart – 3 receptions, 34 yards
ARI – Kevin Kasper – 3 receptions, 49 yards
Week 15: at St. Louis Rams
edit
Week 15: Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
7
14 7 28
Rams 3
21
0 6 30
at Edward Jones Dome , St. Louis, Missouri
Date : December 15Game time : 7:35 p.m. CST/6:35 p.m. MSTGame weather : None (Indoor stadium)Game attendance : 65,939Referee : Jeff Triplette Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
ARI – Marcel Shipp 80-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 11:33. Rams 24–14.
ARI – Marcel Shipp 1-yard run (Bill Gramática kick), 5:08. Rams 24–21. Fourth quarter
STL – Jeff Wilkins 37-yard field goal, 11:32. Rams 27–21.
ARI – Steve Bush 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 7:46. Cardinals 28–27.
STL – Jeff Wilkins 26-yard field goal, 0:20. Rams 30–28.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 17/27, 258 yards, 2 TD, INT
STL – Marc Bulger – 24/40, 319 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 26 rushes, 79 yards, 2 TD
STL – Marshall Faulk – 9 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 2 receptions, 79 yards, TD
STL – Torry Holt – 7 receptions, 141 yards, TD
Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
edit
Week 16: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers 7
3
7 0 17
Cardinals
0
7
0 7 14
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Date : December 21Game time : 3:05 p.m. MSTGame weather : 50 °F (10 °C)Game attendance : 44,051Referee : Bob McElwee Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ARI – Kevin Kasper 6-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 4:08. Cardinals 17–14.
Top passers
SF – Jeff Garcia – 23/39, 256 yards, TD, INT
ARI – Jake Plummer – 16/26, 109 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
Top receivers
SF – Tai Streets – 8 receptions, 90 yards
ARI – Kevin Kasper – 4 receptions, 33 yards, 2 TD
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
edit
Game information
First quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 44-yard field goal, 4:30. Broncos 3–0. Second quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 54-yard field goal, 14:13. Broncos 6–0.
DEN – Jason Elam 21-yard field goal, 8:06. Broncos 9–0.
ARI – Kevin Kasper 1-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Bill Gramática kick), 0:01. Broncos 9–7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DEN – Rod Smith 10-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (Jason Elam kick), 12:49. Broncos 23–7.
DEN – Clinton Portis 4-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 7:35. Broncos 30–7.
DEN – Clinton Portis 12-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 4:11. Broncos 37–7.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 13/27, 132 yards, TD
DEN – Steve Beuerlein – 16/24, 203 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
ARI – Marcel Shipp – 17 rushes, 58 yards
DEN – Clinton Portis – 24 rushes, 228 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
Division leaders
1[ a]
Philadelphia Eagles
East
12
4
0
.750
5–1
11–1
.469
.432
2[ a] [ b]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
12
4
0
.750
4–2
9–3
.482
.432
3[ a] [ b]
Green Bay Packers
North
12
4
0
.750
5–1
9–3
.451
.414
4
San Francisco 49ers
West
10
6
0
.625
5–1
8–4
.504
.450
Wild Cards
5
New York Giants
East
10
6
0
.625
5–1
8–4
.482
.450
6
Atlanta Falcons
South
9
6
1
.863
4–2
7–5
.494
.429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7
New Orleans Saints
South
9
7
0
.563
3–3
7–5
.498
.566
8[ c]
St. Louis Rams
West
7
9
0
.438
4–2
5–7
.508
.446
9[ c]
Seattle Seahawks
West
7
9
0
.438
2–4
5–7
.506
.433
10[ d]
Washington Redskins
East
7
9
0
.438
1–5
4–8
.527
.438
11[ d]
Carolina Panthers
South
7
9
0
.438
1–5
4–8
.486
.357
12
Minnesota Vikings
North
6
10
0
.375
4–2
5–7
.498
.417
13[ e]
Arizona Cardinals
West
5
11
0
.313
1–5
5–7
.500
.400
14[ e]
Dallas Cowboys
East
5
11
0
.313
1–5
3–9
.500
.475
15
Chicago Bears
North
4
12
0
.250
2–4
3–9
.521
.430
16
Detroit Lions
North
3
13
0
.188
1–5
3–9
.494
.375
Tiebreakers [ f]
^ a b c Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
^ a b Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
^ a b Arizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
