The Consensus: Cardinals near bottom third of the NFL in Week 2

Sep 13, 2017, 7:51 AM | Updated: 3:44 pm

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (69) closes in to sack Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

BY VINCE MAROTTA

Arizona Sports

The Arizona Cardinals wanted their 2017 season opener to act as a breath mint — you know, one to hide the horrible taste last year left in their mouths.

Well, they’ll have to wait at least another week for that minty fresh feeling.

The Cardinals failed to take full advantage of early mistakes and allowed 20 fourth-quarter points in a 35-23 road loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field last Sunday.

In addition, they lost star running back David Johnson for up to 12 weeks with a dislocated wrist that will require surgery.

The Cardinals’ performance is reflected in NFL Power Rankings from around the country. Each week in The Consensus, we’ll give you a look at where national outlets (and we here at ArizonaSports.com) are placing the Cardinals in their league pecking order.

Arizona Sports’ NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Packers rise, Cardinals plummet

Cardinals rank: #18

I’m trying to convince myself they can still be okay this year. It’s not going well. (Dave Burns)

Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Overreaction edition

Cardinals rank: #20

Running back David Johnson accounted for 36 percent of the Cardinals’ yards from scrimmage last season, the highest percentage in the NFL, and could be out for an extended period. Possible overreaction: Without Johnson, the offense is a 37-year-old quarterback and a 34-year-old wide receiver. That rarely translates to wins in the NFL.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 2: Packers, Chiefs take top two slots

Cardinals rank: #19

Losing running back David Johnson — who is a candidate for injured reserve after suffering a dislocated wrist Sunday — could be devastating, especially if QB Carson Palmer fares like he did at Ford Field. The renewed faith in Palmer nationally seems to have lasted a month. Locally? Well, the only opinion that matters emanates from the head beneath the Kangol hat. The road loss in Detroit felt similar to the debacle in Minnesota last year, although Palmer dealt with pressure in his face all day in that loss to the Vikings. Not so against the Lions. I heard my colleague Heath Evans suggest that Cardinals coach Bruce Arians call up Patriots coach Bill Belichick to ask what it would take to acquire backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo. #Week1overreaction? Maybe. Johnson’s absence potentially ruining the season? #notaWeek1overreaction.

The MMQB Power Rankings Poll, Week 2: Packers, Chiefs and a Tight Vote for the Top Spot

Cardinals rank: #20

No comment.

NFL Power Rankings: Patriots loss sets up Sunday night duel between top two teams

Cardinals rank: #19

That was not a pretty showing at Detroit. The offense looked bad, especially Carson Palmer.

NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 2?

Cardinals rank: #23

The things that bothered me about the Cardinals last season—and I believed were fixed during the preseason—came back full circle in Week 1. The offensive line was shaky in pass protection, and it failed to open holes in the running game. And Carson Palmer looked like a quarterback on the decline.

Palmer was shaky in the pocket and too often seemed to be eying the Lions pass rush. His passes didn’t have the pop we’re used to seeing from him. In addition, he missed on some of the throws the Palmer we’re accustomed to seeing would make.

NFL Power Rankings: The Patriots can’t be No. 1 anymore … right?

Cardinals rank: #21

The Cardinals offense looked like it hadn’t improved too much from last season, and now it appears they’ll be playing for a while without do-everything tailback David Johnson. Not good.

USA Today Power Rankings – Week 2

Cardinals rank: #23

The injury to David Johnson is catastrophic given how offense now runs through him. Maybe Kerwynn Williams (5.4 career ypc) can hold fort.

Week One power rankings

Cardinals rank: #21

If the Cardinals lost their swagger last year in a Week One loss to the Patriots, what did the Cardinals lose this year in Detroit? (Beyond their star running back.)

NFL Power Rankings: Packers, Chiefs, Raiders make big leaps for Week 2

Cardinals rank: #25

TCarson Palmer is back in an interception funk. David Johnson won’t be in the backfield for a while. There’s just too much on a talented defense still giving up too many big plays.

This week: at Colts, for a second straight Midwest road game, Sunday.

Follow @Vincemarotta

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate wears cleats adorned with a remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Lions strong safety Tavon Wilson intercepts an Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer pass during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) breaks a tackle after intercepting a Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford pass for an 82-yard touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) celebrates with strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) after intercepting a Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford pass for an 82-yard touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (69) stops Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) hands off to running back David Johnson (31) against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin, right, tackles Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Protesters rally for former quarterback Colin Kaepernick outside Ford Field and an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Protesters march in support of former quarterback Colin Kaepernick outside Ford Field and an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions punter Kasey Redfern (2) runs the ball out of the end zone as Arizona Cardinals running back Elijhaa Penny (35) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) runs past the reach of Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) celebrates his 82-yard interception for a touchdown with Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) on a run during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) as Antoine Bethea (41) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) tackles Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) catches a 6-yard touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) runs for a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is injured against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Johnson left the field for x-rays. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) reacts with Evan Boehm (70) after scoring a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) walks off the field with medical staff for X-rays during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

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