Following the Monday night win by the Los Angeles Chargers over the previously unbeaten Las Vegas Raiders meant that the Arizona Cardinals remain the only undefeated team in the entire NFL. As such, the Cardinals now find themselves atop this week’s NFL power rankings from USA TODAY’s Nate Davis.
However, it would appear he didn’t want to move them all the way up to No. 1. They were previously ranked fifth.
Are they really the best team in the NFL? It feels a little dubious for a club that deserved a loss to Minnesota in Week 2. But Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells is famous for saying, “You are what your record says you are,” and Arizona is the only 4-0 team in the league and coming off a dominant performance of the previously top-ranked Rams. The Cards have also posted at least 30 points and 400 yards in each of their first four games for the first time in eight decades. So let’s give them their due … at least for now.
What else do the Cardinals need to do? Yes, they were fortunate to win the game against the Vikings. However, they are the league’s top-scoring team and have a quarterback playing at an MVP level.
The defense could be better, but they have allowed only 23 second-half points all season.
They have convincing road wins against two playoff teams from last year who are both favored to win their respective divisions this year.
There should be no reluctance to put them at No. 1. Will they stay there? Who knows?
But they are undefeated. They have played three of their first four games on the road. They have scored over 30 points in every game.
What more can people want from a No. 1 team?
They clearly are the best team in the league right now. Let’s just enjoy and respect it.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
