Cardinals fans should be delighted with national power rankings for Week 2

How do national NFL analysts view the Arizona Cardinals after their commanding Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans?

An impressive Week 1 domination of the Tennessee Titans has many in the sports world confused about what the Arizona Cardinals are really capable of doing this season.

It is well-documented that the Cardinals play in the toughest division in football, the NFC West. But many believe the ceiling for Arizona just went up after their win over the Titans last Sunday.

National power rankings for Arizona Cardinals heading into Week 2

Sports Illustrated – No. 17

Is it possible that Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated just did not watch the Cardinals play in Week 1? Placing them in the bottom half of the league after a blowout victory against a playoff team like Tennessee seems very interesting indeed. He admits that Kyler Murray has seemingly improved and that Chandler Jones’ performance was “otherworldly.” But he does not give an explanation for placing the Cardinals so low.

NFL.com – No. 14

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com bumped Arizona up four spots after their Week 1 performance. He admits that the Cards “played like one of the best teams in football,” and that the giant win “recalibrates expectations of what this team should be.”

NBC Sports – No. 14

Taking them up one spot from last week, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports wants to see more. A reasonable position to hold, Arizona needs to string together a few more dominating performances before national sports pundits begin to believe they are the real deal.

USA Today/Touchdown Wire – No. 14

It seems like Nick Wojton of USA Today/Touchdown Wire seems to be thinking along the lines of Hoge. They need to see more before putting the Cardinals higher on their rankings. But Jones and Murray excelled and showed they can play in the highest echelons of the NFL.

ESPN – No. 12

Arizona rose just one spot in ESPN’s power rankings. Josh Weinfuss highlighted Cardinals rookie receiver Rondale Moore and what he can bring to the table. Moore finished the game with four receptions and 68 yards. His speed should be taken seriously and Weinfuss hopes the team will continue to utilize him effectively.

Bleacher Report – No. 7

Bleacher Report is the first sports outlet that significantly altered their views on Arizona after their big win in Week 1.

"“One game does not a season make. And the Cardinals still have the misfortune of playing in the NFL’s toughest division. But there wasn’t a more impressive win in Week 1 than their beatdown of the Titans.”"

Yahoo Sports – No. 6

Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab might have had the biggest change of heart about the Cards this week. Soaring up 13 spots, he saw the team playing great on both sides of the ball and, of course, pointed out Jones’ exceptional performance, naming him one of the best defensive players in the league.

CBS Sports – No. 5

Pete Prisco started the season high on Arizona and that has only continued. He bumped the team up four spots all the way to No. 5.

"“If Kyler Murray plays like he did against the Titans this season, the Cardinals will be a Super Bowl contender. The defense also impressed.”"