In 1976, he threw for a career high completion percentage of 56.2%, complementing that with 2,946 yards for 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, with the team going 10-4, becoming the only NFC team to ever miss the playoffs after winning ten games in a 14-game season (done due to losing twice to the 10-4 Washington Redskins. The 1977 season proved a doomed one in mediocrity for Hart and the Cardinals. They were 7-4 with just four games to play and a narrow lead for a potential wild card spot in the postseason. However, a 55-14 drubbing at home to the Miami Dolphins proved to be the harbinger of a four game losing streak that doomed the team to a 7-7 record and out of the playoffs (Coryell would leave the team after the season). Hart was named to the Pro Bowl despite the disappointment, having thrown for 2,542 yards with 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with a 52.4 completion percentage. It would be the last season where the Cardinals had a .500% or better year with Hart at the helm. In the next four seasons, Hart would start in 52 of the 64 games played and went 17-35 as a starter, throwing a combined 52 touchdowns and 72 interceptions for 9,979 yards and a 52.3 completion percentage, while being sacked 100 times (Hart would be sacked 243 times in total for a career).