The Consensus Week 5: Cardinals entrenched at the bottom

Oct 3, 2018, 7:24 AM | Updated: 7:32 am

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Sports

Close, but no cigar.

That has been the Arizona Cardinals’ tagline in each of the last two weeks, but Steve Wilks’ squad is now the only team with a zero in the win column after a 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.

For the second straight week, there’s been a lot of after-the-game talk about a crucial third-down play. This week, the Cardinals went conservative (again), settling for a field goal attempt in a tie game with nearly two minutes to go. Phil Dawson missed that attempt, and Seattle got a game-winning field goal from Sebastian Janikowski to send the Redbirds to 0-4 for the first time since 1986.

Once again, Arizona ranks last in nine of the 10 NFL Power Rankings we monitor from around the country.

High Ranking: #31 – NFL.com

Low Ranking: #32 – Everybody else

Average Ranking: 31.9

Rankings	Cardinals’ Rank	Movement	Comment
Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Things are the same at the top	#32	—	Rosen was a real bright spot, but conservative coaching cost them again.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Standout rookies for all 32 teams	#32	—	OL Mason Cole, 198 snaps out of 198 (100 percent). The third-round pick out of Michigan has yet to miss a snap for an offensive line that has allowed just two sacks since fellow rookie Josh Rosen took over the starting QB job.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Bears, Ravens barrel upward	#31	▲1	Yes, the Cardinals move up despite the loss, and despite the fact they’ve yet to win a game. Josh Rosen provides this organization with bountiful hope, even if he wasn’t lights-out Sunday versus the Seahawks. You could see Rosen’s immense potential in a bunch of throws he made, especially the perfect laser to Chad Williams that tied the game at 17 late. If Phil Dawson’s kick sails just inside the right upright and not a couple feet wide, all the national sports shows might be talking up Rosen right about now. No matter. For the kid to be successful, the offensive line must supply more traction for David Johnson. Been tough sleddin’ thus far for the stud tailback.
NFL Power Rankings Poll: Chiefs Take No. 1, Patriots Down to 11	#32	—	No comment
NFL power rankings: Perfect Rams, Chiefs remain atop list, while Patriots surge back into top 10	#32	—	One key reason they’re so bad? Anemic offense can’t sustain drives, leaving D on field 35-plus minutes per game, easily most in league.
NFL Power Rankings: Are the Chicago Bears here to stay?	#32	—	Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen didn’t light it up, but he played pretty well for a first start. As a whole the Cardinals looked better, and a game at San Francisco next week gives them a decent shot at a win.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Rams hold top spot, surprising team jumps up to No. 3	#32	▼1	They made the right move to go to Josh Rosen, but this season is toast. It’s all about building for 2019.
Week Five power rankings	#32	—	If Josh Rosen keeps playing like he did on Sunday, they won’t stay in this spot much longer.
NFL Power Rankings: B/R’s Expert Consensus Rank for Every Team Entering Week 5	#32	—	If you’re the glass-half-full type, then the biggest takeaway from Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks is the first start for Josh Rosen. The 10th pick in the 2018 draft played pretty well, throwing for 180 yards and a score with a passer rating of almost 90. Rosen had the Redbirds in the game until the very end. However, at that end of the game, the result was the same as every other game for the Cardinals this season. Arizona now has the dubious honor of being the NFL’s last winless team.
NFL Power Rankings Week 5, 2018: The best (and worst) teams are separating themselves	#32	—	Power rankings aren’t just about wins and losses, they’re about the direction in which a team is headed. So while the Raiders beat the Browns in overtime, Oakland is really no more impressive today than last week. The Giants, Texans, Raiders, Bills, and Cardinals round out this week’s bottom five teams.

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Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) celebrate his game-winning field goal with punter Michael Dickson (4) as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (92) watches during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) walks away after missing a field goal as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Neiko Thorpe (23) and Arizona Cardinals punter Andy Lee (2) watch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chad Williams (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Antoine Bethea (41) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis (27) leaps over Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets past Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jake Martin (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) eludes Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) reacts to missing a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to throw against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chad Williams (10) makes the catch as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas (29) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Barkevious Mingo (51) and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with Patrick Peterson prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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