The Consensus Week 15: Cardinals climb after win over Titans

Dec 13, 2017, 7:52 AM

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals haven’t made many friends in the AFC South this season.

Their tour of the division ended with a 12-7 win over the Tennessee Titans Sunday. It was Arizona’s third win in four games against AFC South foes — and twice in the last three weeks, they knocked off the team atop the division.

The win translated to a small bump for the Cardinals in this week’s battery of rankings.

Here’s a look at where Arizona lands in NFL Power Rankings from around the country.

Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Steelers take over the top spot

Cardinals rank: #20 (▲3)

Gabbert won another start vs. Titans, missed some receivers but zero turnovers. — Mike Jurecki

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings: Biggest breakthroughs — including a new No. 1

Cardinals rank: #20 (▲3)

It might be a stretch to call Chandler Jones a breakthrough considering he has had three other 10-sack seasons. But Jones already has a career-high 14.0 sacks and leads the NFL, something no Cardinal has done across an entire season.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers hit No. 1 spot

Cardinals rank: #22 (▲1)

The Cardinals will be playing for .500 this Sunday in Washington. Isn’t that shocking? Doesn’t it feel like Arizona has suffered through a terrible season? Perhaps even more surprising is that the Cardinals own a better record than their opponent, the banged-up Redskins. Maybe the loss of David Johnson in Week 1 and the Cardinals’ other early struggles (including QB Carson Palmer’s broken arm) caused us to write off Bruce Arians’ team. Look, Arizona isn’t going anywhere — as in, to the playoffs. The actual state isn’t moving, either. Let’s hope Arians, Larry Fitzgerald and a couple of other veterans also stay put beyond 2017. Who wouldn’t like to see the venerable head coach, Hall of Fame wide receiver and veteran quarterback give it one more try? I heard Arians on the radio this week gushing over the players on injured reserve. Didn’t sound like a man ready to hang up the beret.

NFL Power Rankings Poll: The Top of the League Falls in Week 14

Cardinals rank: #22 (▲1)

No comment.

NFL Power Rankings: Steelers on top for now, but still must take Patriots down

Cardinals rank: #21 (▲2)

The defense has done some really good things the past month. That has to give them hope for next season.

NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 15?

Cardinals rank: #20 (▲4)

The Arizona Cardinals aren’t a playoff team, but they can’t be taken lightly.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert continues to make a few big plays each week, and Kerwynn Williams has boosted the running game. Even though the defense has been inconsistent throughout the year, it is capable of creating chaos. We saw that against the Tennessee Titans.

Arizona’s defense made things difficult for Tennessee’s run game, and it forced some huge turnovers. One came in the red area, and one came late to help put the game away.

While injuries have impacted Arizona’s season, the Cardinals are an inconsistent, below-average team as a whole. This is why they’re sitting at 6-7. Still, Arizona can be a pain in the ass down the stretch.

NFL Power Rankings: Making the case for the Eagles’ title hopes with Nick Foles

Cardinals rank: #20 (▲2)

Linebacker Josh Bynes has been a fun story for the Cardinals. He had an unremarkable first six seasons with the Lions and Ravens as an undrafted player, but has found a home in Arizona. Coach Bruce Arians raved about him last week, and he made a huge interception in a win on Sunday.

USA Today Power Rankings – Week 15

Cardinals rank: #19 (▲4)

Maybe they should apply for membership in the AFC South. They beat the Titans, Jags and Colts this year but are just 3-6 against NFC competition.

Week 14 power rankings

Cardinals rank: #22 (▲2)

They’d be crazy to bring back Blaine Gabbert.

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings: Steelers, Patriots set up epic 1-2 battle

Cardinals rank: #20 (▲4)

The Cardinals have the distinction of being the only sub-.500 team alive in the top-heavy NFC. It’s pretty impressive that Bruce Arians’ team can sniff 8-8 without David Johnson and Carson Palmer.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Barkley, right, smiles as he wears a costume and poses for a picture for Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert, left, prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans after Barkley lost a quarterback challenge in practice, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Tennessee Titans linebacker Nate Palmer (50) raises a fist during the playing of the national anthem as teammate Avery Williamson (54) stands next to Palmer prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates a tackle against the Tennessee Titans with inside linebacker Kareem Martin (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) makes a tackle against Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (72) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker, right, makes a catch in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Arizona Cardinals running back T.J. Logan (22) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) fails to stop the run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert, right, is pulled down by Tennessee Titans defensive end David King (95) as Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey, left, closes in during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Tennessee Titans linebacker Nate Palmer (50) celebrates a defensive stop against Arizona Cardinals running back D.J. Foster (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers for his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs past Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Xavier Williams (94) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, left, runs with the football after making a catch as Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) tries to make the tackle and Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) closes in during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert, left, is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Erik Walden (93) as Cardinals offensive tackle John Wetzel (73) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tramon Williams (25) breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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