The 1974 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 55th year with the National Football League and the 15th season in St. Louis. The Cardinals scored 285 points while the defense gave up 218 points, en route to the NFC East Championship. The 10-4 Cardinals qualified for the postseason for the first time since 1948 when the franchise was based in Chicago. It was the Cardinals first winning season since 1970 when the Cardinals went 8-5-1. Although the Cardinals and the Washington Redskins finished with identical 10-4 records, the Cardinals won the NFC East title, because of their two victories over Washington that season.