Thursday, September 30, 2021

Arizona Cardinals Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Arizona Cardinals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 6.0 (5th)
  • Best ranking: 2nd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 11th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Cardinals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 8

Kyler Murray's growth from last season to this season is very evident. He has taken the necessary jumps from Years 1 and 2 to Year 3, and it's showing on the field. He is putting up MVP-like numbers with 1,005 passing yards (third most in the NFL) and seven passing touchdowns (fifth most). And he's going to keep getting better. As long as he stays healthy, he'll finish the season among the best quarterbacks in the league. But there's more. He also has rushed for a touchdown in each of his first three games. Murray's dual-threat ability makes him among the most -- if not the most -- difficult quarterbacks to defend in the league. -- Josh Weinfuss

NFL.com -- Rank: 11

The worst moment of Sunday was obvious: Kliff Kingsbury's misbegotten decision to let Matt Prater try a 68-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half, a bold move rewarded with a 109-yard touchdown return by Jacksonville. Luckily for Kingsbury, the Cardinals have a superstar quarterback who can cover up for the sins of the head coach and others. Kyler Murray threw for 316 yards, and Arizona had two 100-yard receivers -- neither named DeAndre Hopkins -- in a 31-19 win over the hapless Jaguars. After the game, the Cardinals neatly spun the special teams catastrophe into an opportunity to display their apparent team growth. "The last two years," Murray said, "we would have lost that game for sure." OK.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

It hasn't always been pretty for this team, but they are 3-0. They are making a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball.

USA Today -- Rank: 5

Whatever suspicions their 3-0 start might have sown will be tested over the next three weeks as Arizona face the Rams and Browns on the road while hosting the 49ers in between those dates.

The Athletic -- Rank: 4

Surprise! We knew the Cardinals had good wide receivers, but that group has exceeded expectations. Christian Kirk is on pace for a career year. Second-round pick Rondale Moore leads all rookies in yards after the catch (162). A.J. Green looks like he has plenty in the tank at 33. DeAndre Hopkins has been, well, DeAndre Hopkins. Kyler Murray and these weapons have made for a highly entertaining offense.

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