The Consensus Week 16: The Cardinals are who they are

Dec 20, 2017, 7:44 AM

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (98) tries to tackle Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) during an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

BY VINCE MAROTTA

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals failed again in their quest to win consecutive games for the first time in 2017 by falling to the Washington Redskins in Week 15, 20-15.

For the second straight week, the Cardinals failed to reach the end zone, having all their points supplied by the right leg of kicker Phil Dawson.

As expected, Arizona took a little dip in The Consensus this week.

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

Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Patriots return to No. 1

Cardinals rank: #21 (▼1)

Cardinals are like the kid in the high school coming-of-age comedy … we’re just rooting for them to score. — Vince Marotta

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: The top Pro Bowl veterans on every team

Cardinals rank: #22 (▼2)

Fitzgerald could be looking at his 11th Pro Bowl selection at the age of 34. He is eight catches shy of his third straight season with 100 receptions, and he has moved up from ninth to third on the all-time receiving yard list this year.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: New England Patriots reign again

Cardinals rank: #22 (–)

Call Sunday’s performance in Washington not the foremost of Blaine Gabbert’s career. Despite the poor numbers (189 yards, 43.6 passer rating), Gabbert put the football in the perfect spot to convert fourth-and-long, away from the defender, where Larry Fitzgerald could go down and get it, while under heavy fire from a pass rush that had collapsed his pocket much of the day. The future Hall of Famer couldn’t squeeze it, though. Two thoughts:

A) Even if he hasn’t been the answer in terms of saving Arizona’s season, I’m not sure how anyone can’t respect the way Gabbert has competed. He’s a solid QB2.

B) Despite all the injuries Bruce Arians’ group has suffered, and despite the subpar campaign, his outfit has played to win every week. Said it before: Arians doesn’t give two squirrels’ farts about what fans or the media think — he coaches the way he sees fit. Guarantee he wants to finish .500, even if Arizona picks lower in 2018 as a result.

NFL Power Rankings Poll: Steelers Miss Their Chance at the Top Spot

Cardinals rank: #23 (▼1)

No comment.

NFL Power Rankings: Jaguars giving Bortles more freedom and he’s making teams pay

Cardinals rank: #23 (▼2)

TBlaine Gabbert cooled after his early success and is being replaced by Drew Stanton. They are officially done after losing to the Redskins.

NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 16?

Cardinals rank: #21 (▼1)

The Arizona Cardinals’ inconsistency is unbelievable. They were in control against the Washington Redskins, yet they kept finding themselves down on the scoreboard because of mistakes and an inability to finish drives.

That’s a microcosm of Arizona’s season. The Cardinals have talent on both sides of the ball, and they’re capable of having some strong outings. They beat the teams they’re supposed to beat. However, they keep finding ways to blow it against average to above-average teams.

Arizona is going to need to make significant changes during the offseason or else it’s going to be the same conversation next year.

NFL Power Rankings: Cam Newton could flip the NFC playoffs

Cardinals rank: #20 (–)

The Cardinals benched Blaine Gabbert, which has no real purpose other than to announce that they know Gabbert can’t be their starter in 2018. If Carson Palmer retires, this could get really ugly. There’s no backup plan and not a ton of cap space to make a big Kirk Cousins play (and it’s not like Palmer returning is some magic elixir, either).

USA Today Power Rankings – Week 16