The Consensus Week 13: Win over Jacksonville propels Cardinals
Nov 29, 2017, 8:34 AM | Updated: 11:31 am
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
So, this is what happens when you beat a good team?
The Arizona Cardinals scored their most impressive win of 2017 by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 at University of Phoenix Stadium last Sunday. Jacksonville came into the game riding a four-game winning streak powered by the league’s best defense and running game. The Cardinals were able to move the ball against the Jags while bottling up Leonard Fournette, who managed only 25 yards on the ground.
As you’d expect, the pundits noticed the Cardinals’ win.
Here’s a look at where Arizona lands in NFL Power Rankings from around the country.
Arizona Sports Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Top two the same
Cardinals rank: #19 (▲6)
Gabbert should start the rest of the season. He has shown great upside. — Mike Jurecki
Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Where every team ranks No. 1 (well, almost)
Cardinals rank: #18 (▲3)
Punters need love, too. Cardinals punter Andy Lee continues to be one of the best in the league. He has pinned opponents inside the 5-yard line five times this season, most in the NFL.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 13: Chargers hit top 10; Chiefs drop
Cardinals rank: #21 (▲6)
Gotta hand it to Blaine Gabbert, who spread clutch passes around in the fourth quarter as easily as he purportedly spread blame around while in Jacksonville. While myriad factors played into the former No. 10 overall pick’s failures with the Jags, Gabbert is a different player now. Despite seemingly never getting any credit, Gabbert always competed in San Francisco — and had a few moments of glory — before eventually being overshadowed by the Colin Kaepernick question (pre-kneeling). Gabbert clearly outplayed Kap in 2015, before giving way last season. When I saw him perform in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton this past August, I thought some folks might have bailed on him too early. Gabbert was 9 years old when Phil Dawson started launching field goals in 1999. What a kick.
NFL Power Rankings Poll: Chargers Making Their Run
Cardinals rank: #22 (▲4)
Boy, it was nice to see the Cardinals win a game on special teams play rather than lose one. Though, as they surely know, Blaine Gabbert as a quarterback means they are prohibited from a top-20 spot in the Power Rankings Poll.
NFL Power Rankings: Chargers are in mix for AFC West crown after 0-4 start
Cardinals rank: #22 (▲5)
Like Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said: They are still alive. But they face a must-win against the Rams this week.
NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 13?
Cardinals rank: #23 (▲4)
This was the perfect matchup for the Arizona Cardinals to steal a win. When the Cardinals can run the ball with some consistency, they can be tough to stop. Bruce Arians is going to find creative ways to throw the ball downfield. The problem is they haven’t been able to run consistently this season.
Fortunately, the Jaguars’ biggest defensive weakness is against the run. This helped open the passing game up for Blaine Gabbert, who does have some arm talent and who can make some nice throws.
It also helped that the Jaguars have a one-dimensional offense. Arizona was able to sell out against the run and put Jacksonville in a lot of unfavorable situations.
Ultimately, Arizona is an average team that is going to struggle to maintain consistency down the stretch. That stretch is tough, and I don’t see the Cardinals getting back in the playoff hunt this season.
NFL Power Rankings: Mike Tomlin’s Super Bowl proclamation wasn’t wrong
Cardinals rank: #21 (▲1)
Have the Cardinals unearthed a gem in Ricky Seals-Jones? Seals-Jones was a big-time wide receiver recruit to Texas A&M but didn’t do much there. He never had more than 560 yards in a season. As a senior he had 333 yards and one touchdown. But he switched to tight end with the Cardinals after not being drafted, and after starting the season on the practice squad and not catching a pass before Week 11, Seals-Jones has 128 yards and three touchdowns the last two weeks. He has a great size-speed combination (6-foot-5, 243 pounds, ran a 4.69-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and we might be seeing the start of a really fun breakout.
USA Today Power Rankings – Week 13
Cardinals rank: #20 (▲9)
Dare we ask if Bruce Arians is making a legit quarterback out of Blaine Gabbert, who’s looked un-Gabbert-like against two quality defenses?
Cardinals rank: #22 (▲4)
Beat the Rams on Sunday, and the Cardinals could be on to something.
Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Eagles keep soaring; Falcons, Ravens rise up
Cardinals rank: #22 (▲1)
Blaine Gabbert got some type of revenge on the Jaguars and earned more opportunities to be the Cards’ starting quarterback. The team still needs to look at a QB early in the 2018 draft, but it’s good for Bruce Arians to get a long look at what the 2011 first-rounder can still do.
