The Consensus Week 12: Cardinals take yet another dip
Nov 22, 2017, 9:13 AM | Updated: 11:22 am
Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson, center, is wrapped up by Houston Texans defenders Corey Moore (43) and Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
For the first time in 2017, the Arizona Cardinals have lost consecutive games.
Last Sunday’s 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans dropped the Cardinals to 4-6 on the season, and although they’re not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, realistically, they are.
As expected, the Cardinals — who have endured an up-and-down season in the eyes of opinion givers — fell once again in our battery of NFL Power Rankings.
Here’s a look at where Arizona lands in NFL Power Rankings from around the country.
Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Eagles hold, Saints creep up
Cardinals rank: #25 (▼5)
Embarrassing performance by the defense and the receiving corps (again) in Houston. — Vince Marotta
Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: Train wrecks, triumphs and toss-ups
Cardinals rank: #21 (▲4)
Another loss and the Cardinals probably can be written off, but they do play four of their next five at home, so there is a chance to pick up some wins. If they can win a few more without Carson Palmer and David Johnson, that’s worth something.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 12: Steelers, Vikings up; Rams slip
Cardinals rank: #27 (▼3)
The offense stalled repeatedly in the second half of the loss to the Texans, perhaps mirroring the Cardinals’ chances of grabbing a wild-card spot over the second half of the season. Mixed bag from Blaine Gabbert at QB on Sunday. Jim Hart, Neil Lomax and Kurt Warner would struggle with the running game this team is sporting right now. Adrian Peterson plowed into red jerseys all day: either the Navy and red of the Texans or those worn by his own Cardinals linemen. Peterson finished with 14 carries for 26 yards. Bruce Arians keeps trying to run right at teams. It didn’t work against that Houston front.
NFL Power Rankings Poll: Falcons Rise Up, Chiefs Fall Down, and Defenses Taking Over
Cardinals rank: #26 (▼2)
No comment.
NFL Power Rankings: The Patriots and Steelers are who we thought they were
Cardinals rank: #27 (▼8)
They’ve had to fight through way too many injuries this season. Now the question will be whether Bruce Arians comes back for another season.
NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 12?
Cardinals rank: #27 (▼4)
If I were an Arizona Cardinals fan, I would be encouraged by what I saw from quarterback Blaine Gabbert. He has physical ability, and he did something that isn’t easy. He went out on the field over halfway through the season and made his first start. He’ll give the Cardinals a chance to win some games down the stretch if Arizona sticks with him.
The defense created some big plays early against the Houston Texans, and we know it’s capable of doing that. The problem is the defense cannot consistently stop anybody. I expected more from this Cardinals defense this season.
It can’t get off the field on third downs, and it struggles to make big stops. As the game against Houston went one, Arizona got torn up in both the run and pass game.
The Cardinals can still be competitive, but they have zero chance of making the playoffs in the NFC.
NFL Power Rankings: One team stands out in a mess of an AFC wild-card race
Cardinals rank: #22 (–)
The best news of last week might have been that Larry Fitzgerald was going to sign a one-year contract extension. He refused to confirm that meant he was coming back for another season, There aren’t many players in the NFL who are more enjoyable to watch.
USA Today Power Rankings – Week 12
Cardinals rank: #29 (▼6)
Rookie TE Ricky Seals-Jones must have learned quite a bit while working with QB Blaine Gabbert on Arizona’s scout team.
Cardinals rank: #26 (▼3)
Blaine Gabbert gets another start, while Colin Kaepernick still can’t get even a phone call.
NFL Week 12 Power Rankings: Playoff picture becoming clearer
Cardinals rank: #21 (–)
Larry Fitzgerald moved into fifth place in career receiving yards, another milestone in another loss in what is becoming a lost season for the future Hall of Famer.
