ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Consensus Week 4: Cardinals take a tumble after MNF loss
The way the Arizona Cardinals started their Monday Night Football contest Week 3 indicated that Bruce Arians’ team might be ready to make a push. They dominated the first half of play in every way but on the scoreboard and were tied with the Cowboys 7-7.
Dallas controlled the second half and earned a 28-17 victory that leaves the Cardinals wondering if they can put together a complete game.
The loss took its toll on the Cardinals in various NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 4.
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 4: Chiefs reign; Cardinals plummet
Cardinals rank: #23 (▼5)
Once elite tackle Jared Veldheer and guard Evan Boehm look utterly lost on the right side of Arizona’s line. — Craig Morgan
Week 4 NFL Power Rankings: Let’s talk about your QB
Cardinals rank: #21 (–)
Palmer had his best passing game of the season Monday night, but six sacks were too much to overcome. He’s now 1-9-1 when taking four or more sacks as a Cardinal, and unfortunately for him and Arizona, he’ll be facing defensive linemen such as Fletcher Cox, Gerald McCoy and Aaron Donald in upcoming weeks.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Titans hit top five; Steelers plunge
Cardinals rank: #24 (▼5)
Wonderful opening drive, then … wot happened? Randomly came across that phraseology recently while perusing the 1979 Pocket Book of Pro Football. (Yes, I. Am. A. Football. Nerd.) Appropriate for this blurb, though, because the late-’70s Cardinals declined after losing coach Don Coryell and dynamic RB Terry Metcalf (to the CFL), with hopes rested on an aging quarterback. Sound familiar? Carson Palmer might not be Jim Hart, but this could be his final season. Maybe Larry Fitzgerald’s, too. Bruce Arians’, as well? With David Johnson — who’s as dynamic as Terry Metcalf — out of action, is this 2017 version of the Cards on a similarly depressing downswing?
Cardinals rank: #25 (▼3)
No comment.
NFL Power Rankings: The Chiefs are for real, but is anybody else any good?
Cardinals rank: #20 (▼3)
They are 1-2 and injuries have killed them. They just can’t get anything going on offense with all the problems.
NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 4?
Cardinals rank: #25 (▼2)
The Arizona Cardinals had the Dallas Cowboys on the ropes early on Monday night. Here’s a shocker: They found a way to screw it up. This has become an alarming trend for Arizona over the past two years. The Cardinals were up 7-0 and then had a touchdown called back. Then, Phil Dawson missed a field goal. Arizona lost control of the game from there.
The Cardinals allowed Ezekiel Elliott to get some momentum. It also let Dak Prescott get out of the pocket, where he made some big plays and beat Justin Bethel and Tyrann Mathieu on 50-50 balls. Still, the defense overall is a good unit.
The concern for Arizona is the offense. With no David Johnson, there’s little punch in the run game. That’s a problem for Carson Palmer. It makes the offense one-dimensional, and the offensive line is horrible in pass protection. That line should be embarrassed with how many times five guys were beaten by the three-man rush.
This is an issue that isn’t going to go away for the Cardinals. The defense is good, but the offense is inconsistent and is going to cost the team games.
NFL Power Rankings: Patriots and Steelers don’t look like AFC favorites
Cardinals rank: #18 (▲4)
At least Carson Palmer has looked like a capable quarterback the past two weeks. The Cardinals desperately need to get healthy, especially along the offensive line, but they’ll be competitive as long as Palmer throws the ball like he has the past couple weeks.
USA Today Power Rankings – Week 4
Cardinals rank: #24 (▲1)
Even with passing game and defense rounding into shape, the absence of RB David Johnson continues to haunt this sinking squad.
Cardinals rank: #25 (▼2)
This team can’t get to the playoffs if its quarterback keeps taking damage.
NFL Power Rankings: Falcons hold another early lead over Patriots
Cardinals rank: #23 (▼3)
Things are drying up in the desert, as the door is closing on the NFL’s oldest team. There’s time to recover in a suddenly weak NFC West, but they need David Johnson to get healthy enough to help.
