The Consensus Week 4: Cardinals fall after losing to winless Lions
Sep 30, 2020, 9:47 AM
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Cardinals found themselves on the losing end of a game most had them winning. Erasing their undefeated season, the Cardinals dropped to 2-1 with a loss to the Detroit Lions.
Costly turnovers from quarterback Kyler Murray and a last-second Lions field goal sealed Arizona’s fate in the team’s 26-23 loss on Sunday.
After climbing the power rankings through three weeks, the Cardinals see their first downward trend of the season ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
| Outlet | Rankings | Cardinals’ Rank | Movement | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Week 4 NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus 2020 preseason predictions we got wrong |
What we got wrong: Kyler Murray will win the MVP. Sure, it could still happen, but it’s unlikely at this point, especially after Sunday’s three-interception performance — which contributed to a loss — and Murray’s 4-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But a main reason Murray is unlikely to win MVP, unless the Cardinals go on an absolute tear headed by him, is that the likes of Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes are having better seasons. | ||
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NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Chiefs take back throne |
Welcome back to Earth, Kyler Murray. The Cardinals QB threw three interceptions (and nearly a fourth) on Sunday, and was held to just 29 rushing yards in a 26-23 loss to the Lions. It wasn’t all bad for Murray: His first-quarter touchdown run featured a deke of cornerback Jeff Okudah that nearly stole the rookie’s soul, but on balance, it was a down day for the Cardinals and their dynamic young star. Arizona received a welcome lift from wideout Andy Isabella, who stepped into a bigger role with Christian Kirk sidelined and finished with two touchdown catches. With Larry Fitzgerald firmly in the twilight of his career, Isabella’s growth in Year 2 will be important for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. | ||
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NFL Power Rankings: Red-Hot Bills Stay in Top 10, Jets in the Cellar |
The rolling Cardinals hit an unexpected speed bump. Kyler Murray’s impossible-to-defend juke move TD was offset by his three interceptions. | ||
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NFL power rankings: Chiefs reclaim No. 1 spot as Packers, Seahawks vie for top NFC team |
A wakeup call might not be worst thing for a team that’s weathered sloppy play. Only five teams have more turnovers than Arizona’s five. | ||
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NFL Power Rankings: The Chiefs are No. 1, and everyone else is miles behind them | Kyler Murray’s first interception came from Detroit’s 30-yard line. His second and third interceptions led to 10 Lions points. Given how dynamic Murray is, it’s easy to forget he’s early in his second NFL season. There will still be mistakes, and some will cost the Cardinals games they should win. | ||
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NFL Week 4 Power Rankings: Chiefs solidify No. 1 spot, Patriots climb into Top 10, Panthers take big leap |
Losing at home to the Lions is a bad look for the Cardinals. Kyler Murray looked just OK after two special weeks. | ||
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PFT’s Week Four power rankings |
Truly good teams win the games they’re supposed to win. | ||
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NFL Power Rankings: B/R’s Expert Consensus Rank for Every Team Entering Week 4 |
After a pair of impressive victories to open the season, the Arizona Cardinals had worked their way into the top 10 of these power rankings. If Week 3 was any indication, that may have been a touch premature. In most statistical categories, the Cardinals were better than the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Arizona had more passing yards. And more rushing yards. Arizona was better on third down and got to Matthew Stafford for four sacks. But there was one category where the Cardinals weren’t better—turnovers. Kyler Murray played easily his sloppiest game of 2020, throwing three interceptions that led to 10 Lions points. | ||
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NFL power rankings: Patriots, 49ers, Bucs and Bears all rise; Saints, Cowboys slide into Week 4 |
The Cardinals got a little sloppy as Kyler Murray didn’t protect the ball against the Lions and the defense, despite another good pass rush, couldn’t stop Matthew Stafford and Adrian Peterson when it counted. They’re still a young team learning to finish games. | ||
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NFL Power Rankings: Patrick Mahomes Reminds Everyone Who’s King |
The Contenders: 7. New England Patriots (2-1); 8. Los Angeles Rams (2-1); 9. Tennessee Titans (3-0); 10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1); 11. Chicago Bears (3-0); 12. Indianapolis Colts (2-1); 13. Arizona Cardinals (2-1); 14. San Francisco 49ers (2-1); 15. Dallas Cowboys (1-2) | ||
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Arizona Sports NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Chiefs stay on top |
I guess we can pump the brakes on Kyler Murray’s MVP candidacy? |
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