Arizona Cardinals: Pre-Week 1 Power Rankings
By Erich Becker
With the season about to start, where do the Arizona Cardinals fall into the 32?
With a solid, if uneventful, preseason in the books for the Arizona Cardinals its now time to take a look at the upcoming season and some of the opponents we’ll face this season. With injuries ravaging the league, some big name signings, and cuts over the last few weeks as teams went from 90 to 53 men in a matter of days, where do the perennial favorites fall in our end-of-preseason-start-of-Week-1 Power Rankings?
With all news of Spygate and Deflategate aside, are the defending champion New England Patriots able to stay atop the mountain to start the season? Can the Seattle Seahawks overcome questions about play-calling and distractions with disgruntled players to remain in the top 10? Can the NFC North be claimed by another now that Aaron Rodger’s favorite target is out for the season? Let’s find out!
When you draft high, expectations are set pretty low. For Tennessee the season has promise at this point. Marcos Mariotta can reinvigorate the team, city and maybe division, but the Titans are not challenges this year or next. Lacking offensive and defensive weapons the rebuilding continues for Ken Whisenhunt.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Tennessee Titans. 32. team. 35
57. The remnants of the previous regime still rear their ugly head in Jay Cutler’s toxic contract, which wouldn’t be so bad if his on the field play was better. Cutler is still more likely to throw the ball to a DB (or the turf) than one of his own receivers, of which, many aren’t left. Nowhere to go but up for the Bears this season, but a 4th place finish in the NFC North is a strong possibility.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Chicago Bears. 31. team
Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
(0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Oakland Raiders. 30. team. 28. Derek Carr is a capable QB, but the Raiders just don’t have the weapons yet to really challenge any of the division foes on a consistent basis. The team is sure to stay in games, give a few scares in the division, and the conference, but finishing about 4-5 wins would be a good season for the team still rebuilding.
29. team. 52. Quick, name the starting QB and one receiver for the Jags! Can you do it? Was it Allen Robinson? That’s the only one I know without having to look it up and only because he was a 14th round pick on my fantasy team. With the Colts and Texans in this division a third place finish is the best scenario.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Jacksonville Jaguars
28. team. 42. While this may seem low, its predicated on the offseason turmoil the team experience between losing half of its starting defense, its head coach and still riding the Colin Kaepernick train. The 49ers will be able to challenge the NFC West, but I don’t see them with eight wins this year.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. San Francisco 49ers