Category: Rankings

Cardinals move up a spot in new power rankings despite loss to Steelers

The competitive loss moves them up to No. 28 overall.

The Arizona Cardinals lost to a playoff-contending Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and were competitive. Quarterback Kyler Murray believes they should have won the game.

Nonetheless, it was their sixth loss in a row.

Despite the loss and losing streak, the Cardinals still managed to climb USA TODAY’s newest power rankings for Week 15.

They moved up from 29th to 28th this week, swapping spots with the Detroit Lions, who have an identical 3-9-1 record.

The Cardinals have the Cleveland Browns next, who come in at No. 19 on this list.

Sunday’s Kyler Murray-Baker Mayfield matchup means little in grand scheme, but maybe it will settle some debates in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Cardinals are, according to the 2020 draft order, the sixth-worst team in the league. These rankings say they are the fifth-worst. That isn’t too much of a discrepancy to argue too much about.

As for the rest of the NFC West, the L.A. Rams come in at No. 13, the Seattle Seahawks dropped to No. 6 and the San Francisco 49ers move up to second overall.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals move up a spot in USA TODAY power rankings after bye week

The NFC West has two top-five teams and three top-15 teams.

The Arizona Cardinals did not play on Sunday because it was their bye week. However, even without playing, they managed to move up in USA TODAY’s latest power rankings.

They moved up one place, from No. 25 to No. 24 overall.

This week, Chandler Jones’ production is brought up.

Chandler Jones on track to lead league in sacks for second time in three seasons, yet does anybody give him acclaim he clearly deserves?

No, Jones does not get the praise he deserves but the Cardinals haven’t played well enough for him to get attention. And because he normally is consistent about getting one sack a game, that isn’t super flashy. It is consistent but it isn’t flashy.

As for the team, their ranking is fair. They are behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat the Cardinals and has won four games this season. The Cardinals are still ahead of the three teams they have beaten and the one they tied with.

What about the rest of the NFC West?

With their loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-5 Los Angeles Rams fell from 11th to 14th overall. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are No. 5 and the San Francisco 49ers are No 3.

No other division has two top-five teams or three top-15 teams.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Cardinals drop 2 spots in new USA TODAY power rankings

They enter the bye week ranked no. 25. It is completely fair.

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The Arizona Cardinals lost their fourth straight game on Sunday, falling 36-26 to the San Francisco 49ers and dropping their season record to 3-7-1. with the beginning of Week 12, they enter their bye week a little lower in USA TODAY’s power rankings than they were in Week 11.

This week, they fell two spots to No. 25.

Per Next Gen Stats, Kyler Murray’s average “Air Yards to the Sticks” is minus-2.1. Yep, you’ve got much to learn … about AYTS and whatever significance it has.

It would appear that the stat is being downplayed because Murray has really been fantastic this season. He is up to 14 touchdown passes to only five interceptions. He has 418 rushing yards. He has led them to score at least 25 points in six of the last seven games. He has come off the field late in the fourth quarter or overtime with a lead six times. The team has blown leads in three of those games.

25th is completely fair in terms of the team, though.

What about the rest of the NFC West?

The Los Angeles Rams are 11th this week. The Seattle Seahawks are up a spot to No. 4. The San Francisco 49ers are fifth.

It’s a tough division to be in when you want to rebuild.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Power rankings: Loss to Bucs drops Cardinals a pair of spots

They have allowed over 25 points every game this season.

The Arizona Cardinals entered Week 10 having risen in weekly power rankings despite losing two in a row. That did not continue with a third consecutive loss.

After falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27 Sunday afternoon, they dropped a pair of spots in the new USA TODAY power rankings.

The Cardinals were up to No. 21 but fell to No. 23.

Christian Kirk snagged three TD passes Sunday, matching output from his first 18 games. If he gets going, “Air Raid” could reach new level.

The offense seems to have hit its stride. They have scored at least 25 points in five of their last six games, despite still having issues on third down and in the red zone.

The problem is the defense isn’t stopping anyone. They have allowed over 25 points in every single game this season, including four games allowing at least 30.

The schedule gets tougher now with four of their final six games coming against NFC West opponents. Where they are now in these rankings might not change much.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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