ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Consensus Week 7: Cardinals’ average rank stays the same

Oct 17, 2018, 7:19 AM

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)...

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Are they moving up or are they moving down?

Well, the Arizona Cardinals couldn’t follow up their first win of 2018 in a positive way, losing to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6, but that didn’t stop them from actually moving up in five of the ten NFL Power Rankings we track in The Consensus.

Of course, Steve Wilks’ team also moved down in four rankings, so their average rank of 31.0 stayed put for a second straight week.

Here’s where the Cardinals stand in rankings from around the country heading into Week 7’s Thursday night showdown with the Denver Broncos.


High Ranking: #30 – NFL.com, Pro Football Talk

Low Ranking: #32 – Yahoo!, CBSSports.com

Average Ranking: 31.0


Outlet Rankings Cardinals’ Rank Movement Comment
Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Rams hold; Patriots rise
#31
▼1
The issues that popped up in Week 1 still haven’t been addressed.
NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Playoff chances for all 32 teams
#31
▲1
One thing for fans to hang their hat on is the performance of Josh Rosen. In the three games he has started, the Cardinals have averaged 250 yards per game, improving on their average of 190 yards per game in the three games that Sam Bradford started.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 7: Patriots back; Raiders hit bottom
#30
The Cardinals hung with the big, bad Vikings for the balance of the afternoon on Sunday, but they simply don’t have the personnel at this point to ultimately keep up with playoff teams. Although Chandler Jones can play with (and demolish) any opponent he faces, apparently. Jones added to his early Defensive Player of the Year candidacy with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble that sparked a defensive touchdown. Going to keep talking him up in this space until more pub flows his way.
NFL Power Rankings Poll: Rams Unanimous No. 1, Eagles and Steelers Return to Top 10
#31
▲1
Despite our panel voting unanimously to put the Cardinals in 32nd last week, they were still the consensus pick to win at San Francisco in the MMQB’s staff picks from a group of largely the same people. Then we put them in last again? I don’t know, guys.
NFL power rankings: Chargers replace Jaguars in top five
#31
▲1
Thursday Night Football is back! Oh, it’s Cardinals-Broncos this week?
NFL Power Rankings: Jaguars a shell of what they were last season, or even Week 2
#32
▼1
David Johnson’s dip this year is staggering. In 2016 he averaged 4.2 yards per rush and 11 yards per catch. This year he’s at 3.2 and 7.9, respectively, which is terribly inefficient. Since I don’t assume Johnson forgot how to play since he was an All-Pro in 2016, I’ll wonder if the Cardinals could be doing more to get him the ball in advantageous situations.
NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Ravens defense makes them legit Super Bowl contenders, big test vs. Saints looms
#32
▼1
They have to like what they are getting from Josh Rosen. It’s just this roster needs help.
Week Seven power rankings
#30
▼1
It’s getting harder to come up with reasons for hope.
NFL Power Rankings: B/R’s Expert Consensus Rank for Every Team Entering Week 7
#31
▲1
That miserable offense continues to depress on a weekly basis. Arizona amassed just 269 total yards against the Vikings, and tailback David Johnson barely cleared three yards a carry. That Johnson was able to once again score and salvage a decent fantasy day is a little consolation to all the people who used an early draft pick on him this year. But that’s about the only consolation the Cardinals are offering up right now.
NFL Power Rankings Week 7, 2018: The Patriots are laughing their way to the top
#31
▲1
The 49ers, Broncos, Colts, Bills, Giants, Cardinals, and Raiders round out the bottom of this week’s rankings.

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Western Governors University
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run ahead of Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass as he is pressured by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Stephen Weatherly (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run ahead of Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Minnesota Vikings defensive back Anthony Harris (41) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings defensive back Anthony Harris (41) celebrates with teammate Eric Kendricks after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins scores on a 7-yard touchdown run in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen catches a 13-yard touchdown pass in front of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates with teammates after catching a 13-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones , right, catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker, left, celebrates with teammates after returning a fumble 36-yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker, left, returns a fumble 36-yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson (4) celebrates with teammate Andy Lee (2) after making a 26-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defenders Anthony Harris (41), Mackensie Alexander (20) and Stephen Weatherly (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey (5) reacts after making a 37-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson (96) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray (25) breaks a tackle by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston, right, during a 21-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray (25) celebrates with teammate Adam Thielen, left, after a 21-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass as he is pressured by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Stephen Weatherly (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) breaks a tackle by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

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The Consensus Week 7: Cardinals’ average rank stays the same