Arizona Cardinals: Mixed Bag on NFL Power Rankings

Sep 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19) runs a punt back for a touchdown in front of New York Giants safety Quintin Demps (35) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The week two NFL Power Rankings done by me last night on Raising Zona had the Arizona Cardinals at number six after winning on the road against the New York Giants 25-14.  Other outlets had them all over the place.

NFL.com was kinder to  them at number five this week.  They were impressed with the Andre Ellington and the Cards running game and also loved the punt return for a touchdown by Ted Ginn.  They also acknowledged that quarterback Drew Stanton didn’t light it up but managed to lead them to victory.

ESPN.com was not as kind to the Cards.  They did move them up five spots but it was from number 14 to number nine.  Then again, ESPN has always been hard pressed to ever be impressed with what the Cards do.  They acknowledged Stanton as well but decided to focus on only the lack of first downs he helped his team get.

The New York Daily News seemed to think along our lines.  They had the Cardinals at number five.  They seemed a little more impressed with Stanton than ESPN did.

SB Nation didn’t comment on the game but they had the Cards at number eight.

The Chicago Tribune placed the Cards at number nine.  They have a belief the Cards aren’t for real until the beat the San Francisco 49ers.  Fair enough.

Who was most impressed with the Cards?  None other than The Washington Post.  They seemed to be impressed with Stanton and his ability to deliver the ball to Larry Fitzgerald.  They also referred to the Cards as the “front-runner in the NFC West“.