Entering the season and for the first three weeks, the Arizona Cardinals were listed dead last in power rankings. After they upset the Dallas Cowboys, they only moved up to No. 29.
After their third loss of the season, a 35-16 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in which running back Christian McCaffrey scored four touchdowns, they moved up again.
Buy Cardinals TicketsIn Jarrett Bailey’s Week 5 NFL power rankings for Touchdown Wire, the Cardinals moved up three spots to No. 26, even with the 19-point loss.
The Cardinals are like Spike Dudley (wrestling fans will appreciate that comp). You know they probably won’t win, but they’ll fight like hell from beginning to end and make you earn your W.
The Cardinals were overmatched by the 49ers but never stopped competing.
Their next stretch of games against Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Seattle and Baltimore are a combination of tough but beatable opponents.
The Cardinals are getting healthier and should have Kyelr Murray back in the next few weeks.
It will be fun to see how the season develops for the Cardinals over the next couple of months.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
