ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Consensus Week 8: Cardinals hovering just above rock bottom

Oct 24, 2018, 3:04 PM

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) sits on the bench during the second half of an N...

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won 45-10. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Despite a nationally-televised, 45-10 loss to the Denver Broncos that played a large role in the firing of an offensive coordinator and a trade demand from one of the team’s best players, the Arizona Cardinals didn’t fall too much in average NFL Power Rankings this week.

That’s because they don’t have much further to fall.

Arizona’s average ranking of 31.0 last week fell a bit to 31.4 this week, but the team still sits in last place in 60 percent of the NFL rankings we track from around the country.


High Ranking: #30 – NFL.com, USA Today
Low Ranking: #32 – Arizona Sports, ESPN, SI.com, Yahoo!, CBS Sports, Pro Football Talk

Average Ranking: 31.4


Outlet Rankings Cardinals’ Rank Movement Comment
Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Top 4 hold; Cardinals sink
#32
▼1
What a mess.
Week 8 Power Rankings: Players who must step up on all 32 teams
#32
▼1
RB David Johnson. It certainly isn’t all Johnson’s fault, but the Cardinals rank last in yards per rush and rushing yards per game — with more than 20 fewer yards per game on the ground than any other team. Perhaps the dismissal of Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator and the elevation of Byron Leftwich to that position will help Johnson produce like he has in prior years.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Redskins hit top 10; Jags plummet
#30
Cardinals fans have already started lobbying your friendly writer to move their team down to 32. Wish almost granted. Football fans are already speculating about the future of first-year coach Steve Wilks, even if the end of the season is well over two months away. Then there is former offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, dismissed from his duties following another bleak performance from the offense. To think that this team was 8-8 last year with Blaine Gabbert quarterbacking and David Johnson out all season.
NFL Power Rankings Poll: Panthers and Redskins Surge, Jaguars Plummet
#32
▼1
The Cardinals should trade everyone they can get back value for while they still can.
NFL power rankings: Panthers, Redskins replace Eagles, Bengals in top 10
#30
▲1
Welp. They’re about to face the only team they’ve beaten, maybe the only team they’ll defeat all year. Come on down, San Fran.
NFL Power Rankings: How good are the Rams? Are they 16-0 good?
#32
I think it’s fair to wonder if Steve Wilks will be one-and-done as coach. I assume that won’t be the case because it’s extreme to fire a coach after one year, but if the Cardinals continue to look as unprepared as they were last week against the Broncos, it becomes a topic of conversation.
NFL Week 8 Power Rankings: Offense wins championships? Rams, Saints, Patriots and Chiefs changing the narrative
#32
The move to make Byron Leftwich the offensive coordinator is a smart one. He will make Josh Rosen a lot better.
Week Eight power rankings
#32
▼2
Hello, Jim Harbaugh.
NFL Power Rankings: B/R’s Expert Consensus Rank for Every Team Entering Week 8
#31
The Cardinals continue to redefine the concept of offensive futility. Arizona hasn’t gained 300 yards of offense in a game yet this year. The team came into Week 7 converting less than 22 percent of its third downs—over a full season, that would be (per the Thursday Night Football telecast) the lowest percentage in over 40 years. That going 4-of-14 in that regard in Week 7 represents a marked improvement indicates just how horrible the Cardinals have been offensively. Thursday’s trouncing got offensive coordinator Mike McCoy the boot, but it’s going to take more than a new play-caller for the Cardinals to climb out of the NFC West basement.
NFL Power Rankings Week 8, 2018: Surprising teams rise up the ladder
#31
The Seahawks had their bye this week while the Cardinals were trampled over on Thursday night and fired their offensive coordinator as a result.

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Western Governors University
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets the throw off as Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) breaks free for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos Phillip Lindsay (30) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with cornerback Isaac Yiado, left, and defensive back Will Parks (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) forces Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) to fumble during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Miller recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Jordan Moore (30) breaks free for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) hits Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) as he throws during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) gets the throw off as Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) makes the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks talks with side judge Alex Kemp (55) at halftime of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) An Arizona Cardinals fan wears a bag on his head during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas (38) tackles Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores his 111th career touchdown, tying former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, as Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores his 111th career touchdown, tying former NFL player Tony Gonzalez, as Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph watches his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) his sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum gets the throw off as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hugs Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph prior to an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (51) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Justin Simmons during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (51) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Justin Simmons (31) and cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) throws for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) pulls in a touchdown pass form teammate wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) looks to pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) looks to pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos defensive back Jordan Moore (30) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick (43) and linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) celebrates his interception for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) high fives linebacker Todd Davis (51) as he scores a touchdown after an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum (4) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Kerr (92) celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Denver Broncos defensive back Shamarko Thomas (38) tackles Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Denver Broncos strong safety Darian Stewart (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

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The Consensus Week 8: Cardinals hovering just above rock bottom