Saturday, November 4, 2023

Arizona Cardinals Week 9 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 9 roundup for the Arizona Cardinals in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 32

Joshua Dobbs' time as the Cardinals' quarterback is over. The Cardinals are planning to start rookie quarterback Clayton Tune on Sunday against the Browns in Cleveland, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday. However, earlier Monday, coach Jonathan Gannon said there's a chance Kyler Murray could start as he continues to ramp up his return from ACL surgery. Dobbs had been a suitable placeholder, keeping Arizona in games despite its 1-7 record and leading the Cardinals to an upset win over the Cowboys in Week 3. He has done fairly well, throwing for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions while running for 258 yards and three touchdowns. -- Josh Weinfuss

NFL.com -- Rank: 32

All eyes should turn toward Kyler Murray's potential return, whenever it comes. This is not Joshua Dobbs slander, I promise. After an icy three quarters against the Ravens, Dobbs did cook a little late and gave the Cardinals a shot. He has more than earned respect for how he's played. But Dobbs is also not awash in talent and has leveled off. Switching to rookie Clayton Tune as Murray's short-term replacement makes sense. But more than anything, the Cardinals have to get their future decision on Murray correct. Every game Murray plays gives the team a better view of the situation. Plus, he's more dynamic than Dobbs, and the marriage of Murray and Drew Petzing might be better than we imagined. The first-year play-caller has done a really nice job with the tough hand he's been dealt so far.

UPDATE: On Tuesday, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the Cardinals are trading QB Josh Dobbs to the Vikings.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 31

They need to get Kyler Murray back playing again, and it might happen this week. The Josh Dobbs era appears to be over.

USA Today -- Rank: 31

Is this the week QB Kyler Murray returns? If so, he might have a nifty new target, second-year TE Trey McBride establishing personal bests Sunday with 10 catches for 95 yards.

The Athletic -- Rank: 30

Something scary (for others): Kyler Murray has a lot of value

Murray was healthy enough to play Sunday but did not, so it's still not clear if the new regime envisions him as their quarterback of the future or as a trade chip. Either way, he's a valuable commodity for a Cardinals team that right now owns the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. The rash of quarterback injuries means Murray might command more than usual on the trade market, and his skills on the field are undeniable.

FOX -- Rank: 32

What a picture-perfect season for a rebuilding team. Sure, losing sucks. But the Cardinals have been competitive every week. They're seeing flashes from young players like Trey McBride, Michael Wilson and Paris Johnson. Oh, and they currently hold the No. 1 and No. 11 overall picks. It's all going according to plan.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 32

The Cardinals needed a rally in the fourth quarter to avoid their fifth double-digit loss in a row. The fallout was that Joshua Dobbs lost his job as the team's starting quarterback. In Week 9 it'll be either rookie Clayton Tune making his first start or Kyler Murray in his return. Bringing Murray back from a torn ACL to start at a tough Cleveland defense, perhaps in bad weather, seems like something Arizona would like to avoid.

PFT -- Rank: 32

They keep on competing, but they keep on losing.

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